Vikings Defeat Harrison 14-13 in Season Opener
After giving up two big plays to the Harrison Hoyas in the first half, the Vikings struck back with a steady, powerful drive in the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead. The defense then held Harrison away from the endzone, with a last-minute interception ending the Hoyas' final drive to secure the victory.

The Vikings came out shaky in the first half. On Harrison’s first play, the Hoyas threw a quick pass around the left end. The receiver sprinted 75 yards downfield for a touchdown, setting the score at 7-0 early. Later in the quarter, Lowndes received the ball on the Hoya 40 after a short Harrison punt. After a pair of plays, Darriett Perry dashed for a key 1st down run on third-and-nine. Christian Glisson then floated a 35-yard pass over the defender to Greg Reid for the Vikings’ first score of the night. The point-after kick was no good, so the Vikings trailed 7-6.

After that score, Harrison returned the Viking kickoff 88 yards for another touchdown. The Hoyas were penalized on that play for excessive celebration, pushing the kicker back 15 yards. The crucial PAT fell short, bouncing off the crossbar, so the score remained at 13-6.

Late in the second quarter Harrison began to drive downfield, but Ronnie Mitchell stopped that with an interception at the 49-yard line.

Lowndes came out of the locker room in the second half with fresh determination. Glisson threw an 18-yard pass to Reid to bring the Vikings to the 36. Devaris “Bus” Leonard took the ball to the 22 for a first down. Quarterback Mihiell Padgett ran around the right end to get the ball to the eight-yard line. Bus then took the ball in to the 2, and then slammed into the endzone for the score. The Vikings attempted a 2-point conversion to take the lead, and Bus pounded into the endzone for the 14-13 lead.

The defenses held tight after Lowndes’ touchdown. Late in the fourth, Harrison had one more chance to score as time ticked away. The Hoyas tried a flea-flicker from their own 29, but the pass was picked off by Mitchell to preserve the Viking victory.