by MARTY ZIER
Sports contributor
Volleyball
The Viking girls volleyball team (8-9) advanced past the post season 2B District Playoffs in Mt. Vernon after losing to Darrington but taking a win against Concrete last Friday,
In the first game, Orcas faced an uphill battle against Darrington (13-3) after three consecutive regular season losses to the Loggers. The Vikings still found themselves searching for a way to win against the second place team in the league after losing three straight games; 25-6, 25-16 and 25-14.
Facing playoff elimination in the second game, the Vikings met the Concrete Lions (4-12) for the third time this season, a team Orcas had successfully handled in their last two regular season matches.
Orcas played to form and won the first game 26-16, the second game 25-20 and went on to sweep the Lions 3-0, earning a position in the next round of the playoffs.
On Nov. 6, the Vikings travel to Cross Point Academy in Bremerton for the next round of the 2B Bi District playoffs with their goal set on the State Tournament in Yakima in mid-November.
Football
The Viking football team (3-6) lost under the lights to the Lions (8-1) in the second to last regular season game in Concrete Friday night.
Orcas faced an efficient Lion tight formation double wing offense for the first time this season, forcing the Viking defenders to search for the ball and fight the misdirection. By the end of the first quarter, the Lions had slipped by the Viking defense for three rushing touchdowns.
Abandoning an ineffective run, the Vikings hit the air and scored on a 56-yard yard touchdown pass from quarterback Miles Harlow to receiver Gage Harlow, ending the first quarter down 20-7.
The Lions, utilizing three different rushers, rolled through the Vikings defense for four more touchdowns in the second quarter while the Viking’s offense struggled. The game appeared to be a blowout with the halftime score 41-7 and no spark apparent in the Vikings.
Although the Lions scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter, the Vikings passing game began to click with a touchdown pass to receiver Aiden Kruse and about 100 yards passing in the quarter.
Orcas receivers continued to pull down passes in the fourth quarter with two more touchdown passes to Jordan Randolph and Pasha Bullock, but the late offensive push fell short in 61-26 loss.
Coach Scott Harris was proud of his players, and recognizing the loss, felt it was a great learning experience for the young team.
The Vikings host the Darrington Loggers for the last regular season game on Thursday.
Girls soccer
The Viking girls soccer team played their final game of the season in La Conner and came away losing 8-0 to the Braves and finishing their season 2-8.
Chama Anderson is stepping away from coaching after this season.
Anderson, reflecting on the season said, “Honestly, there is nothing like having a group of girls decide to do something together knowing the venture they said ‘yes’ to will be filled with challenge, excitement, doubt, fear, potential and who knows what else. This is what my team did this season. They said, yes!”
Anderson says what came out of that was a deeper commitment to their teammates and themselves; unexpected joy and friendship; unique leadership from each player; a deeper understanding of the game and their role on the field; moving beyond their own physical limitations; how to take care of themselves and a pride of being a Lady Viking.
“As one of my players wrote in her end of season evaluation, ‘you don’t have to be a winner to be a winner,’” Anderson said. “We won two of our 10 games this year. Although this is difficult knowing all the effort the players are putting into training, they kept their heads held high from beginning to end. When we did score this season, it felt like we just won the World Cup even though we might be down 7-1!”
Boys soccer
by JACK RUSSILLO
High school senior
The Vikings lost to Providence Classical Christian Highlanders 5-1 in their last regular season game followed the next day by a first round playoff loss to the La Conner Braves, 4-1.
On Oct. 28, the Vikings traveled to Providence Classical Christian and played solid defense with sparks of offensive greatness.
Jack Russillo and William Coe narrowly missed a couple of shots on goal, but an early second half attack resulted in the lone Viking goal with a well placed shot by Wylie Kau after good combination sideline play between Russillo and Kau.
The Vikings continued to fight hard and ended their regular season overall 5-11.
On Oct. 29, the Vikings hosted their first playoff game in years, battling La Conner in the first round.
Orcas kept it close most of the first half but a couple of long through balls from the Braves scored, challenging the Vikings with a 3-0 deficit going into halftime.
The Vikings came out roaring in the second half with a combination of spectacular passes and nearly converted several scoring opportunities.
Orcas scored fairly quickly when Russillo converted a penalty kick but were unable to catch the Braves despite courageous play and hustle.
The Vikings finished the season tied for fifth place in Northwest 1A/2B League and were eliminated from playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
