The North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings' senior football team got off to a rocky start Thursday night at Beaver Lions Stadium.
The Vikings dropped their season opener 19-2 to the Carlton Comprehensive Crusaders from Prince Albert. The Crusaders were led offensively by tailback Shelton Paul, who rushed for over 150 yards on the evening.
Despite the score, Vikings coach Jamie Sommerfeld said he was pleased with how the defence responded.
"We put them in a lot of bad situations today," said Sommerfeld. "We're only going to get stronger. I think we're starting off pretty well."
The Crusaders opened the scoring midway through the first quarter. They were gifted great field position as they started the drive on the Vikings' eight-yard line after the Vikings fumbled the snap on a punt attempt the previous play. On second down, Carlton quarterback Peyton Cyr plunged into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown run.
Following a Crusaders field goal and Vikings safety, the Crusaders were ahead 12-0 and began their last drive of the first half on their own 50-yard line. Cyr led a drive downfield, finishing the drive himself with his second one-yard touchdown dive of the game to put the Crusaders up 19-0 at the half.
In the second half, the Vikings returned the run game and moved the ball on the ground effectively on the strength of first-year tailback Dylan Schaefer. Sommerfeld said Schaefer was a "little timid" in the first half, but halftime adjustments helped his game.
"We got back to trying to run the ball and Dylan found some holes and created some of his own," said Sommerfeld. "I'm very happy for a first-year kid with the way he ran today."
Schaefer finished the game with 101 rushing yards, with the majority coming on the Vikings' second drive of the third quarter. Starting at the Crusaders' 45-yard line, Shaefer ran the ball six times for 42 yards. However, the Vikings turned the ball over on downs as the drive stalled in the red zone.
The Vikings' only points of the game came in the fourth quarter. After Vikings quarterback Landon Aimoe was picked off by Crusaders defensive back Skylar Koroluk deep in Carlton territory, the Crusaders were pinned near their goal line. The Vikings' defence held and a third-down snap over Carlton's punter's head resulted in a safety to make the final score 19-2.
NBCHS is on a bye week next week, but travel to Moose Jaw to take on Alfred E. Peacock Collegiate in an exhibition game. The Vikings' next home game is Sept. 18 at Beaver Lions Field against the Bishop James Mahoney Saints of Saskatoon. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.
