The Vikings got the scoring started less than two minutes into the game when Timmy Guler connected with Blakeway on a 55 yard TD pass.  The two point try failed and Pelican Rapids led 6-0.  “It was a great start to the game,” commented Head Coach Eli Beachy of the Vikings.  “We were able to run the ball efficiently and hit a big play quickly on the first drive to put the first score on the board.”

With 2:38 left in the opening quarter, Guler hooked up with Blakeway on a 33 yard scoring play and after another failed two point try, the Vikings led 12-0. 

“Our defense played great all night and really towed the line for us in the first half,” reported Coach Beachy.  “The pressure we were able to get from our defensive line, along with great pursuit from out linebackers really kept their athletic QB in check in the first half.  Offensively, we were disappointed in our performance as we left a lot of points on the field and had some costly, untimely turnovers and penalties.”

In the third quarter, Jack Kapenga took a pitch from Guler and raced 66 yards for the third TD of the night for the Vikings, giving them an 18-0 lead.  “Guler made a phenomenal option pitch to Kapenga up our sideline, in which Jack was able to turn the jets on and take it to the house,” said Beachy.  “The instincts to pitch the ball after taking a hit on a spin move is unteachable and commendable.”

Park Rapids Are quarterback Noah Morris scored on a 6 yard run with 3:30 left in the third and then again on a 7 yard run with 8 minutes left in the game as the Panthers pulled to with five points at 18-13.  “On their first TD drive our defense played great, just as they had all night,” said Coach Beachy.  “Unfortunately, an untimely penalty and mistake set them up first and goal on the seven and we weren’t able to come up with the stop.  In the fourth quarter we gave them the ball back after a great drive and a 25 yard run really gave them momentum to start their scoring drive.  Again, untimely mistakes and some beautiful throws and catches for them made it tough for us to stop them.  We had ourselves a dogfight and with Timmy dislocating his pinky on their extra point attempt, Peyton stepped in to run the offense in a very tough spot.  I could not be more proud of how he responded by stepping in and doing exactly what we needed from that spot the rest of the way.  Great blocking and tough nosed running from Peyton and Carter Johnson sealed the game for us.”

Blakeway broke free for a 63 yard touchdown run for a 24-13 lead with 5:30 remaining in the game and then Johnson scored the final TD on an 11 yard run to make it 30-13.

“It feels good to get the win and have another chance to see how we’d respond to adversity,” added Coach Beachy.  “Our seniors stepped up big tonight, Hunter Williams, Carter Johnson, Peyton Blakeway and Ian Fahje.  Without their performances, we would not have had a chance in this game.  I am extremely proud of them.”

Guler finished 6-of-13 for 127 yards and 2 TD’s and ran the ball 9 times for 46 yards.  Johnson led the rushing attack with 94 yards on 11 carries.  Defensively, Kapenga had a team high 12.5 tackles and recorded a pair of sacks.  Williams had 9.5 tackles and 4.5 sacks and Kaden Holt added 9.5 tackles.  Ethan Sjostrom had an interception and Fahje had 2 sacks.  Justin Jacobson added a sack and 6 tackles.

Pelican Rapids (5-1) will host Roseau on Friday night.