On the hottest day of the year, the Orcas Island Vikings blew the top off the emotional thermometer that was the 2011 Island Cup.

“This was a game for the ages,” said coach Mark Padbury.

Playing in his first game as fullback, junior Jake Zier was not to be denied as he slammed his way into the end zone from 3 yards out, giving the Vikings an incredible 20-15 win against the Friday Harbor Wolverines with 18 seconds remaining.

The Vikings started strong, taking the opening kickoff 85 yards, culminating in a 29-yard touchdown pass to Devon Stanzione nine minutes into the game. Orcas recovered an on-side kick and took control again, driving the ball to the 3-yard line after a 27-yard catch and run by Herbie Sisson. With their backs against the wall and Orcas firing on all cylinders, the Wolverines set the tone for the battle ahead on the very next play. An interception in the end zone was returned to midfield, breathing new life into the squad from Friday Harbor.

The Wolverines tied the game at 5:40 in the second quarter with a 20-yard touchdown pass. A bad snap by the Vikings gave the Wolverines a safety and a two-point lead early in the third quarter. With temperatures reaching into the 90s on the Dahl Field turf, both teams were feeling the pressure and fatigue. A 75-yard bomb to Stanzione shocked the Wolverines with 9 minutes gone in the third quarter, giving the Vikings a 13-9 lead.

The teams traded possessions as the tension built steadily into the fourth quarter. On what would prove to be their final drive, the visitors pushed an exhausted Orcas defense back. With just 2:23 left in the game, a 32-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 10 to C.J. Woods over tight coverage by the Orcas secondary gave the Wolverines a seemingly insurmountable 15-13 lead.

The Vikings gathered on the sideline before the final drive. The team dug deep and began a drive that will go down in the annals of Island Cup lore. Finding themselves 70 yards from the end zone with the clock running out, quarterback Robbie Padbury completed a 25 yards pass to Stanzione. An incomplete pass was followed by a pass interference call that gave the Vikings 15 precious yards and a first down. A bad exchange left the Vikings in dire straights facing a second and 30. A 10-yard pass to Keenan Phalan stopped the clock with 45 seconds left. Another pass interference negated what would have been a game-clinching interception for Friday Harbor. Instead the penalty moved the ball to the 23 yard line and a first down with 32 seconds left. The Vikings stunned the Wolverine defense with a 21-yard pass completion to Stanzione to the 2-yard line. As the clock ran down below 20 seconds Zier ran into Island Cup history with the game-winning touchdown.

Stanzione ended his day with 8 catches for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns. Padbury was 12 for 26 and 362 yards passing.

“I want to commend Friday Harbor for such a well-played game and recognize our guys for persevering and sticking together through very adverse conditions,” said Vikings head coach Scott Harris. “The offensive line had a monster game for us. They dominated in that final drive giving Robbie (Padbury) the time and space he needed to find our receivers down field at a crucial time. We would have never won that game without Randall Boetger, Di Mowery, Cameron Schuh, Tyler Jensen and Mikail Van Maren.”

For a slide show  of images from the game, go to www.islandssounder.com.

The Vikings will play Saint Margaret’s in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Friday night before playing Tacoma Baptist in their league opener at home on Sept. 24.