Page Search
Pelican Rapids hosted Park Rapids in the final regular season football game for both teams on Wednesday night with the Vikings winning their fifth straight, 15-12 over the Panthers to finish with a 7-1 record heading into the postseason. “Last Wednesday’s game was a fun, grind it out game of football,” said Pelican Rapids head coach Eli Beachy. “Offense was sticky for both teams, which meant you need plays to be made from other areas of the game.”
Park Rapids struck first with an interception return for a touchdown, taking a 6-0 lead in the second quarter. Channing Russman followed that TD with an 83 yard kick-off return for a touchdown to tie the game. Jimmy Salazar’s extra-point kick gave the Vikings a 7-6 lead, which they took into halftime.
“Channing’s Kick Return TD was huge for us in the first half to get the lid off the bucket,” acknowledged Coach Beachy. “Jimmy Salazar nailing the PAT was also huge to take the lead as our defense was able to hold on Park’s two point conversion. Defensively, guys were making plays all over the field all night. 1-11 was flying around, doing their job. Austin Kleinschmidt (8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 QB pressures) got us going with some big plays in the first half and Russman (12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack) and Jack Kapenga (10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 blocked field goal) were able to sustain us defensively the rest of the game. Treyvon Benson was able to come away with two interceptions on the night including the game sealing interception. He has been clutch for us all season.”
The Panthers regained the lead at 12-7 on a 33 yard TD run in the third quarter, however, Kapenga’s 14 yard run to the end zone and a successful two-point conversion run by Benson lifted the Vikings to a 15-12 lead, which they were able to hold the rest of the way.”
Kapenga ran for 49 yards on 13 carries and Benson hauled in 9 passes for 70 yards to lead the Vikings. Russman had 5 receptions for 46 yards and Grady Larson completed 21-of-38 passes for 180 yards.
“We left quite a few points on the board by not converting on red-zone trips, which stings but I am glad we have had two grind it out games heading into playoffs,” added Coach Beachy. “Those games have been great learning experiences for our players. With the best part of our season coming up on Tuesday, we cannot wait to start this postseason run.”
As the number two seed in Section 8AA the Vikings will open the playoffs with a home game against Roseau at 6:00pm Tuesday.
Tag(s):