Vikings Pull Away From Dauphin County In Second Half For The Win
April 21, 2024 Billy Splain
It was a soggy field with winds gusting all game long in Phillipsburg on Saturday. The 3-0 MoValley Vikings were looking to stay undefeated as were the 2-0 Dauphin County Comanche. Two teams that met in the GEFA title game two years ago that ended with the Vikings winning the title by a score of 26-18. On this day the Vikings took the win by the same score thanks to two second half interceptions, one that was returned 14 yards for the clinching score by Sheldon Jones.
"We knew that we were in for a big match up, our game against the Comanche always seem to be big," said Viking head coach Thor Marlow. "Oddly enough we ended with that same score as our championship game two years ago. We have a lot of things to improve and it's on to week five for us."
New Viking QB Greg Medina broke a scoreless tie with 3:53 left in the first half when he found Dane Bright for a 47 yard td to make it 6-0. Dauphin County struck right back with a 40 yard drive that ended on a one yard td pass from London Johnson to Daivin Pryor tying the score at 6 and that's how it remained at the half.
In the second half, there wasn't much of a change. Both defenses held the opposing offense pretty much in check. The difference in the game was turnovers. Specifically two interceptions by Sheldon Jones. "We feel like championship teams find a way to win and that's what we did today," said Medina. His first set the tone for the Viking defense. After Medina saw one float away and get picked off, the MoValley defense turned it up a notch pinning the Comanche deep and forced a punt. One play later Matt Tavarez hauled in a pass from Medina and was off to the races for a 24-yard score. They didn't get the extra point but led 12-6 with just 41 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Comanche didn't seem fazed and London Johnson connected with Daivin Pryor to tie the game at 12 just a minute and half later. "We moved the ball pretty well. The run game was working. We just couldn't get that last touchdown," said Dauphin County head coach Monk Williams. "It was a defensive battle and it came down to pretty much on defensive play that was the difference."
A bad kick gave MoValley the ball on the 23, Medina hit two passes to Sean Steave for a combined 34 yards, then Malik Breon dove into the end zone to put the Vikings back on top 20-12 after the two-point conversion. On the next series, Jones got the big interception return making it 26-12 with 8:30 to play.
The Comanche scored with 1:13 left in the game but on this day the Vikings defended their home field and ran out the clock. MoValley hosts Berks next Saturday and the Comanche travel to Hazleton to take on the Mustangs.
