The Orcas Viking football team traveled to Tacoma on Sept. 25 to face the powerful Tacoma Baptist Crusaders.

Going into the game 3-0, the Vikings went toe to toe with the state semi-finalists from 2009 before allowing two long touchdown passes in the first half.

It was certainly the hardest hitting half of football either team has played in the 2010 season. Two scoring opportunities for Orcas went by the boards in the second quarter, leaving the Vikings trailing 14-0 at halftime.

“You have to tip your hat to Tacoma Baptist,” said coach Scott Harris. “They are a great team; they made the plays when they needed to for the win. We held a powerful team to just three first downs and only 67 yards rushing. Statistically we battled and did quite well. Usually stats like that result in a victory. Our kids played very good pass defense, but for four big plays that resulted in 180 yards and touchdowns. The game was mostly played between the 40 yard lines.”

The Vikings came out fired up in the third quarter, holding the Crusaders on downs only to have their own drive stall inside Tacoma’s 30-yard line. A 65-yard bomb late in the third quarter put the Vikings in a 21-0 hole – a deficit from which they would never recover.

Two touchdowns in the last few minutes made the final score 35-0, but this was clearly a game the Crusaders will remember for the tough play of the Vikings.

“There were many highlights for us, as Connor O’Neil caused one fumble and recovered another which gave life to our sideline,” said Harris. “Keenan Phalan led the Viking receiver corps while Jacob Hansen accounted for 70 tough yards rushing. Hansen had another impressive day at linebacker and Justin Leidecker, playing injured, really disrupted their ground attack. We are still very excited about our season.”

The Vikings will celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. against Rainier Christian in another contest against a team from the newly formed Northwest–SeaTac League.