9-11 Vikings vs. Giants on Opening Night

One of the two Colo Nesco 9-11 year old teams played on opening night in the Nevada Flag Football League. The Vikings opened league play with a 7:15 game vs. the Giants from Nevada. On an ideal night for football the Vikings battled the Giants before succumbing to a 12-36 loss. The Vikings opened the game with nice pass play from Steven Cutler to Isiah Texeira for a gain of 10 yds, and followed with a pass from Steven Cutler to Tanner Clatt for another 7 yds. However the drive was cut short on a nice interception by the Giants that was returned for a TD and a 0-6 lead for the Giants; PAT failed. After a quick 4 and out on the Vikings next series, the Giants drove the ball down the field for a second TD, PAT failed and a lead of 0-12. The Vikings answered back on the ensuing drive and received a long TD run from Wayne Beard on an end around, where Wayne outraced everyone down the left sideline for a score and a 6-12 score, PAT failed. Unfortunately the Vikings gave the points right back on the 3rd play of the next Giant drive as the Giants used a reverse to go 30 yds. and take a 6-18 lead, PAT failed. The Vikings next drive bogged down early and the Vikings were forced on 4th and long to try a long pass to get a first down but were unsuccessful as it resulted in the 3rd INT of the half. Outstanding defense prevented the Giants from adding the score as the Vikings stopped them deep in Viking territory (5 yd line) on downs with nice plays by Steven Cutler, Peyton Larsen and Matthew Hill. The Vikings had another 4 and out and the Giants quickly scored in the next possession to make it 6-24, PAT failed. The 1st half scoring ended on a reverse to Wayne Beard around the left end that went for 30yds. and another TD for the Vikings. PAT failed. 12-24 Halftime score. The 2nd half was a defensive stalemate, as both teams struggled offensively. The Giants had the only scores of the 2nd half , one on a 40 yd run and the other on a 25 INT return. Defensive highlights in the second half were provided by Tanner Clatt on an almost interception, Isiah Texeira and Trenton Erickson with good line play to stop 2 consecutive runs and Etienne Bouchard with a nice cover on a receiver to stop a 4th down play. The Viking offense finally got moving late in the game as Peyton Larsen connected on passes to Hunter Beard for 20 yds, again to Hunter for 10 yds and finally to Renauld Bouchard for 15 yds, but an incomplete pass from the 5 yd line ended the game as time expired. All in all it was a good first game for the Vikings, as many players were experiencing their first taste of Flag Football. Nerves and butterflies should be better after getting the first game under their belts. The Vikings face the other Colo Nesco team (Chiefs) in next Tuesday's game which will be the first for them as they had a bye week this week.