October 2, 2015 at 1:20 p.m.
Highland strikes first by Vikings have their way
Adam Wolfe capped a five play 78 yard drive with a 43 yard scamper to score and quarterback JR Linscheid got into the end zone for the two point conversion for an early 8-0 lead.
A fast answer by the Vikings on a 79 yard kickoff return for a score by Kyle Emberson and a Logan Green to Riley Ostby conversion pass knotted the score at eight rather quickly.
That was one of two touchdowns scored by P/A's special teams and put the Vikings on the way to a 62-8 win in the Six Rivers game that put them into the play-offs while keeping them on course for the conference championship.
The Vikings went on to score nine touchdowns, two by special teams, two by passing and five on rushes. Seven different players found the end zone in the win.
Ostby returned a punt 64 yards to score for the other special teams touchdown. Anthony Hendrickson scored twice, once on a 19 yard pass from Green and once on a 27 yard run.
Colin Argue closed out the first half with a 20 yard reception from Green for a score.
Evan Prust started the second half scoring with an 18 yard run. Tyler Wyttenbach scored the next two touchdowns for the Vikings on runs of two and 12 yards. Freshman Lucas Gilbertson's eight yard run finished the scoring for the Vikings in the fourth quarter.
"Pec/Argyle played a great game and we made some costly mistakes that they capitalized on," said Highland coach Mike Aide. "We had too many three and outs on offense."
With more games left on course for a successful season Aide's focus was keeping the Cardinals healthy.
"We pulled our starters at halftime when the score was 38-8," Aide said. "I needed to make sure we got out of that game healthy. Our JV played the second half."
The Cards did have one injury when Ryan Minter suffered an arm injury in the first half and he missed the rest of the game.
Aide was glad to see the Cardinals come out ready to play.
" We received the ball on the opening kickoff and drove it down the field for our only score," he said. "We came out of the gate rolling and did some good things on that drive."
"Coach (Jim) Strommen and I decided a few years ago that special teams practice and preparation is important and it has been paying off," said Pec/Argyle coach Larry Green. "It helps when you have athletes capable of making big plays."
Green credited the special team play along with making some adjustments to the game plan for helping in the win.
The win sets the Vikings up for a key game Friday at Cassville. The Comets are one game behind the undefeated Vikings in the hunt for the Six Rivers crown.
The Cardinals head to Black Hawk Friday.
"Coach Mills has a very disciplined team and will be looking to rebound after a tough loss to Pec/Argyle," said Aide.
