On Sept. 12, coming off an exciting Island Cup victory, the Vikings football team hosted a non-league contest against Stellar Prep Academy from Oakland, Calif., losing 28-18.

“We started out pretty hot, leading 12-0 with touchdown passes from quarterback Miles Harlow to Cameron Aragon and Pasha Bullock, who broke tackles for a great scoring run,” said Coach Justin Frausto.

By halftime, Stellar Prep had rebounded and led 14-12, which was not unexpected by Frausto. He was still pleased with his defensive line, led by Kyle Masters, Vinny Kramer and Bullock.

The only Viking score in the second half was a spectacular 20-yard run by Kramer who “had great vision, shedding multiple tacklers on his way to the end zone,” according to Frausto.

Next up is an away  game on Friday against the Concrete Lions, who won league last year.

The Lady Vikings soccer team lost their season opener against Concrete 2-1 on Sept. 10.

The game was not without significant controversy.

The Lions struck first with a shot slipping through the goalie hands, barely hitting the top bar, giving Concrete the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.

Thirteen minutes later Orcas answered as the Viking’s midfield passed the ball to forward Adia Dolan who quickly pounded “a bullet of a goal” to the back of the Concrete net, evening the score 1-1.

The game had an excessively aggressive edge that appeared to be too much for the sole referee to handle. Usually a game has three referees.

“The referee was too slow to calm the Concrete team down from quite a few  hard fouls and unsportsmanlike play,” Doherty said.

A yellow card was finally given to a Concrete defender for a blatant, dangerous tackle on a Viking, erupting the Concrete crowd in applause, which was the source of another issue, according to Doherty.

“The Concrete crowd was brutal to our midfield players. At one point I had to pull a player in tears from the field due to the heckling that went unchecked by the Concrete administration and the referee,” he said.

Concrete took the lead late in the second half with a ricochet from a corner kick. A few minutes later, the Vikings had the tying goal, but the referee saw it differently.

“Our goal in the second half was disallowed because the ref was in a bad position to see the ball cross the goal line when 22 players on the field thought it was a goal,” Doherty said.

Despite the circumstances, he said he is “so proud” of the team.

“They kept a level head and remained calm,” Doherty said. “The defense was strong, confident and worked together through the game. Special thanks to defenders Joie, Jacklyn, Chela and our goalie Joanne for her safe hands. And our loyal fans.”

The Vikings play Mt Vernon Christian this week.