Vikings Take Down Thunder

Today we come to you from Superior, WI at National Bank of Commerce Spartan Sports Complex. It was homecoming week for the 3-3 Thunder as they play host to the 3-3 Itasca Vikings for an important conference match up. The wind would play a huge roll in this one with gusts as strong as 20-30mph.

No scoring. Thunder had an early chance to score on 3rd and goal. QB Kendarian Carter threw a pass to WR Damon Barnes in the corner of the end zone.  The pass looked like an easy 6 points and an early Thunder lead, however, the ball was dropped by normally sure-handed Barnes. Thunder would then fail on 4th and goal turning the ball over on downs. After the failed 4th and goal the Thunder defense stood strong forcing a Vikings punt deep in their own territory into the strong wind. Donte Arnold was back near mid-field to return the punt. With the punt traveling into the strong wind Arnold struggled to track the ball, mishandled the punt, and the Vikings would recover on their own 35YL.

On the next Thunder drive the offense couldn’t get things rolling and were forced to a 3 and out on their own 40 yard line. During their punt a bad snap sailed over punter #45 Logan Crowsers head. Crowser tracked the ball all the way back to the Thunder’s own 25YL. Crowser scooped it up the bouncing ball, turned on his heels with 5 Vikings barreling down on him and booted it into the wind 70 yards after a few fortunate Thunder bounces. The athletic play by Crowser saved the Thunder tremendous field position and instead of the Vikings getting the ball deep in Thunder territory Crowser pinned the Vikings down inside their own 10 yard line. The exciting special teams effort brought us to the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was all ICC Vikings.

QB #2 Quinn Frisell threw a 67 yard TD pass to WR #12 Javon Montgomery who beat DB #3 Donte Arnold down the sidelines for the first points of the game. PAT good. 7-0 ICC leading.

Te’Vaughn Hurse tried to get the offense going with a big 20 yard run followed by a 9 yard run, but offensive penalties crippled the drive causing the Thunder to punt.

The Vikings would capitalize on the Thunder penalties by capping off another drive near the end of the 2nd quarter with an impressive 23 yard TD pass from QB Quinn Frisell to WR #85 Alonzo McAdory. The Vikings would attempt another FG, but Thunder special teams would burst through the line and block the FG. However, things were just not going the Thunder’s way in the first half. The blocked FG would take a few awkward bounces ending up in the Thunder end zone where it was pounced on by numerous Vikings resulting in a successful 2-point conversion attempt. 15-0 ICC leading at half.

With the Thunder offense struggling mightily the Thunder defense was forced into multiple tough field position situations. Every drive for the Vikings in the 3rd quarter started inside the Thunder’s own 35 yard line. The Thunder defense lead by LB Keonte Connelly would put up a valiant effort. A few key sacks and multiple offense penalties by the Vikings kept them out of the end zone until ending up on the Thunder 1 yard line at the end of the 3rd quarter.

15-0 ICC

The great field position for the Vikings was finally capitalized upon to start the 4th quarter. With the ball on the 1 yard line RB #22 Stevan Hiiemaa of the Vikings would carry the ball up the middle and into the end zone. PAT good. 22-0 ICC

The Thunder didn’t look like they had much of a chance as they started their next drive. With their backs against the wall QB Kendarian Carter launched a pass deep down field only to fall into the hands of Vikings DB # 4 LeAndre Benion resulting in Carter’s second interception of the game. Things didn’t look good, however, the Thunder weren’t going down without a fight. Another defensive stop by the Thunder defense would force a 3 and out for the Vikings giving the ball back to the Thunder with around 12 minutes remaining. Backup QB #10 Jarred White came into the game with what seemed like a mountain to climb. The Thunder were facing a 4th and long conversion to keep the chains moving when White found RB #2 Te’Vaughn Hurse for a huge 18 yard pass completion converting the 4th down giving the Thunder new life. The Thunder offense on their next set of downs were backed up again facing a 3rd and long situation. However, White again would find Hurse deep down the sidelines for a 35 yard completion again moving the chains. The two big conversions would set up the Thunder’s first score of the game. A TD pass from White to WR #18 Tyrone Eastern from about 5 yards out. 2 point conversion was good on a pass from White to #1 WR Damon Barnes. 22-8

On the Viking’s next drive after a terrific 35 yard 1-handed catch was made down the sidelines by Viking WR Kellem the Thunder defense would force a fumble and recover around mid-field. Looking like momentum was finally shifting in the Thunder’s favor the offense took over possession again. On the Thunders first snap after recovering the fumble the Thunder would fumble themselves giving the ball back to the Vikings. The Thunder defense didn’t seem phased by the quick changes in possession and forced another 3 and out and a Viking’s punt. The Thunder special teams then came up huge with Rivera returning the Viking punt 33 yards giving the Thunder tremendous field position deep in Viking territory. White would make quick work of the good field position and toss another TD pass to Eastern. White followed up his second TD pass by adding another 2 point conversion, this time a pass to Te’Vaughn Hurse to make it an 8 point game. With the score now 22-16 and about 2:30 remaining the game was on the shoulders of the Thunder defense. The Thunder needing a huge late 4th quarter stop would get one. Again, led by LB Keonte Connelly the Thunder would force a punt bringing the Thunder offense back onto the field with 37 seconds remaining. With the ball at mid-field the Thunder tried a trick play in hopes of a late 4th quarter miracle, but it just wasn’t the Thunder’s day, and the play resulted in a fumble with the Vikings recovering. Viking QB Frisell would take the knee and the Thunder would fall to the Vikings 22-16 dropping them to 3-4 on the season.