2004. That was the last time an Orcas Vikings football team won a playoff game.
When this year’s version of Vikings football arrived at Memorial Stadium in Oak Harbor to play the Morton-White Pass (MWP) Timberwolves in round one of the state playoffs, their preparation was only surpassed by their determination.
Starting seniors Michael Langworthy, Jacob Hansen, Justin Leidecker, Connor O’Neil, Tom Granger and Patrick Lancaster were not ready to hang up their pads for the last time on this day.
The Timberwolves climbed off of their bus in Oak Harbor with an impressive 9-1 record and ranked #4 in the state by the Associated Press. The Timberwolves had amassed impressive season stats scoring 249 points in ten games while only allowing 25.
“The Timberwolves have played powerhouse programs like the defending state champion Adna Pirates and the #2 ranked Napavine Tigers this season,” said head coach Scott Harris. “Our coaching staff knew a battle lay ahead for our young, unranked Vikings. We went in to the game expecting to win but never imagined the domination our boys would carry out. We had great respect for them but our staff put a good plan together and the boys practiced it hard all week. I had a lot of confidence in the plan that offensive coordinator Mike Gage designed.”
Strong early defense by the Timberwolves led to a 57-yard Viking punt to the 1-yard line. The Timberwolves could not respond. A short punt gave the Vikings good field position on the 45-yard line. A remarkable catch by Langworthy on a 34-yard pass from junior quarterback Robbie Padbury set up the Orcas offense on the MWP 3-yard line. A Padbury one-yard touchdown plunge gave the underdogs a 7-0 lead with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter. The first play by MWP after the kickoff was picked off by a tough Orcas secondary at the 46. A 15-yard run by Langworthy and a late hit out of bounds against the Timberwolves led to a Jacob Hansen 4-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left in first quarter and a joyful Orcas crowd celebrated the early 14-0 lead. Orcas had dominated the first quarter as the Vikings were firing on eight cylinders.
The second quarter led to more of the same as the Timberwolves could not get untracked against a fired up Orcas defense. A 54-yard catch and run to the 26-yard line by sophomore Devon Stanzione followed by a 15-yard catch by sophomore Rylan Date to the 11-yard line resulted in a field goal by Padbury and the Vikings took a 17-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
At halftime Harris told the team: “With a great team like that we expect a big surge to start the second half. We wanted them to play better physically and emotionally.”
The confidence and excitement in the locker room could have been measured in barrels.
“This is why we do all of that practicing—to play in games like this,” said Junior Keenan Phalan.
The Vikings exploded out of the locker room and held the stunned Timberwolves to minus 8 yards on their first three plays. Orcas unleashed their vaunted double wing offense with sophomore Daniel Briggs taking over at quarterback. Eating the clock with power football, the Vikings slammed their way down Memorial Stadium turf on a 14 play drive that ate up most of the third quarter. Desperate to get the ball back, the MWP defense finally stiffened on their own 22-yard line, but the die had been cast. There would be no comeback possible with the Orcas ground game churning out yards.
The next Orcas possession saw another long drive by the Vikings. A 21-yard pass completion from Padbury to Phalan on fourth and long to the one-yard line set up a quarterback sneak for Briggs. The offensive line blew open a whole in the middle of the line for the young quarterback to inch his way onto the end zone for his first varsity touchdown and a 23-0 lead. It was an all Orcas afternoon as time ran out on the team from SW Washington and the Viking squad celebrated with a large contingent of fans pounding their feet on the aluminum grandstand.
“The defense set up the offense all day and allowed them to play tough and loose,” Harris said. “All of the fan support, especially the large turnout of Viking football alumni, really meant a lot to the kids.”
Hansen led the defense with 10 tackles while Langworthy had eight. Padbury threw for 182 yards on 9-14 passing and no interceptions. Padbury also rushed for eighty yards while Langworthy contributed 124 yards rushing and receiving.
Padbury spread around his passing as Date had two catches for nineteen yards; Phalan had three for 26 yards; and Stanzione had two for 74 yards.
The Vikings had 327 total yards – 145 rush, 182 passing while holding the Timberwolves to 53 total yards on the day and just one first down.
“Despite the score, their kids played tough but a balanced attack and extraordinary effort by our guys sure made it a lot of fun to watch,” Harris said.
The Vikings move on to the quarterfinals to face the powerful Crusaders from Tacoma Baptist on Nov. 20 back in Oak Harbor.
“We now have a rematch with the team that handed us our only loss of the season,” Harris said. “We are going to prepare this week for a very difficult game. I have confidence that our guys will practice well and play hard. A trip to the Tacoma Dome lies in the balance. I expect a great game from both teams.”
