The ìmurder stretchî as the North Branch football calls it, is over.

Head coach Dave Eyre is referring to their last three Friday nights when the they played the top three teams in the North Suburban Conference.

ìThose teams would hurt anyone,î he said.

Making the ìmurder stretchî were Spring Lake Park, Totino-Grace and Chisago Lakes.

The Vikings ended the stretch on Friday, Oct. 6, when they traveled to Totino-Grace and lost 57-8.

ìTotino-Grace was tough, but we didnít play our best,î Eyre said

By looking at the score board during the last three Friday nights thereís no question the Vikings have played talented teams. In three games, they have been out-scored 150-22.

But Eyre said his team didnít play nearly as good as they could have.

The offensive has struggled the last month ñ they have gone without an offensive touchdown since their game against Fridley Sept 8.

Part of what has been hurting the Vikings has been injuries. Eyre said they havenít played with the same 11 kids in the same position all season. Thus, the kids havenít been able to get in a rhythm, he said.

ìWe have had some bad breaks,î Eyre said. ìWe just have to roll with it and get back on track.î

That is precisely what the Vikings, who are 1-5, plan to do. On Friday they host Columbia Heights for their homecoming game and after that play Hopkins. Columbia Hights and North have the same record entering the game which may mean a evenily matched team.

ìThey are winnable games for us,î Eyre said. ìHopefully, we can win a couple and carry that momentum into the playoffs. î