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By Cynthia Scott
A ferocious 2nd quarter offensive output coupled with a miserly defense all 4 quarters gave North Branch a convincing 23-0 homecoming victory against Mora Sept. 24.
The Vikings scored 17 points in the second quarter while allowing Mora only 106 total yards for the game.
The Vikings started the game sluggish on both sides of the ball, and there was no score at the end of the first quarter.
But less than a minute into the 2nd quarter Tony Watters hauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Warren for the game's first score. Adam Gades kicked the extra point to put the Vikings up 7-0.
With 4 minutes left in the half, Gades scored the next 10 points. The first was a 1 yard TD run followed by an extra point. Gades also booted a 22-yard field goal as time expired.
The final score of the game came on a 1 yard Matt Warren run with 8 minutes left in the game. The extra point attempt failed.
The Vikings rolled up 290 yards of offense with 189 yards rushing and 101passing. Gades was the leading rusher with 84 yards while Al Moore led receivers with 2 catches for 40 yards. Tony Watters had 2 catches for 25 ards and 1 touchdown.
Matt Warren completed 8 of 15 passes.
Coach Joel Swanson called the game "the best defensive effort of the year." Mike Carlson and Cory Haley teamed up for 2 quarterback sacks totalling a loss of 11 yards for Mora. Jake Kosky intercepted a Mora pass for an 18-yard return.
The Vikings dominated every category, holding nearly a 2 to 1 edge in time of possession and amassing 17 first downs to Mora's 6.
The single category where domination hurt North Branch was in penalties.
The Vikings made 6 miscues for 40 yards while the Mustangs were penalized once for 10 yards.
The Vikings are now 2-1. Up next: Oct. 1 at Princeton, 7 p.m.
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