Starting quarterback Mathew DelaTorre #7 started the team off quickly by leading the Hollister Vikings down the field against Coyote Creek with a touchdown from fullback Salvador Vargas #87 from 4 yards out. The offense stuck with what was working in their second series and added another touchdown from Vargas, this time from 3 yards out. The extra point kicked in by DellaTorre put the Vikings up 14-0 to start off the game.
Still in the first quarter, the Vikings added another touchdown, this time by runningback Christopher Pritchett #16, making it 21-0. Pritchett said, “We really owe our success to our offensive line, they all worked very well and held the blocks all the way through.” Pritchett was exactly right with the team racking up a total of 254 yards on the ground. Behind the offensive line, led by Isaias Rivera #50, Ricardo Navarro #2, Bobby Viramontes #77 and Victor Cabrera #64, the ground game was unstoppable.
The Vikings’ defense also played some lights out football by only allowing four first downs in the game. It was led by linebackers Owen Branon #51, Anthony Delagado #8 and Alberto Rodriguez #34, who totaled 25 tackles and held the Wildcats scoreless for the entire game. Rodriguez added a couple of quarterback sacks and also put the defense on the board when he recorded a safety in the third quarter, putting the Vikings up 23-0.
The Vikings finished off the game with a late touchdown by Pritchett making the final score 29-0. After the game, Head Coach Mel Rivera said, “The boys did great, we’ve still got a lot of work to do. We certainly haven’t arrived yet but it’s a good way to get the team going in the right direction. Vikings Pride, One Family, One team.”
The Vikings hope to continue their success next Saturday when they visit Harvey West Park to take on Santa Cruz.
Vikings Midgets
The Hollister Vikings Midgets (0-1) will make their first road trip of the season when they face the Coyote Creek Wildcats (0-1) on Sunday, Sept. 14. The Vikings are coming off last week’s one-sided loss at home against the Bayside Broncos.
– Submitted by Albert Rodriguez