NEWS PHOTO JMAES TUBB
Dawson Gartry of the Crescent Heights Vikings celebrates a second quarter touchdown in an 8-0 win Friday at the Methanex Bowl over the Winston Churchill Bulldogs.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Crescent Heights Vikings Sr. football team shutout the Winston Churchill Bulldogs at the Methanex Bowl on Friday, winning 8-0.
Head coach Anthony Anderson says the win, their first of the season, will be a spirit lifter for the Vikings.
“Realizing all the hard work that we’ve been putting in practice is starting to pay off,” Anderson said. “A pretty brutal night weather wise. So it makes you a little more one dimensional but our guys fought hard right until the end, so I’m really proud of them.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings got on the board before the half.
Dawson Gartry caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Rylan Cozart-Smith in the second quarter for the 7-0 lead. Anderson says their offence had a slow start but is starting to find their legs.
The Vikings defence forced a turnover late in the quarter to preserve the lead heading into the half. Anderson says their defence has led them all season.
“Even last week our defense has played amazing, I’m really proud of them,” Anderson said. “I’m really, really happy with the way that our defensive coaches have prepared them for the game, so really happy with everything.”
Crescent Heights lost 10-7 last Friday at the Methanex Bowl, falling to the Brooks Buffaloes. The Vikings added a solo tally in the third quarter on a rouge off a tackle from Gartry in the Bulldogs’ end zone.
Winston Churchill made pushes in the fourth quarter to tie the game. The Vikings held them back with a stop in the last five minute and the last minute to preserve the lead.
The Bulldogs had the ball late in the quarter and after two missed picks in the quarter, the Vikings ended the final drive with an interception. The Vikings (1-2) are on the road next week, taking on W.R. Meyers. Anderson says they’ll just take the upcoming week day by day.
“We’re just trying to keep getting better,” Anderson said. “Practices were really intense this week and everybody really bought into them. So we’re just going to keep it up next week and hopefully come up with another win.”
Hawks host LCI
The Medicine Hat High Hawks Sr. football team was also in action Friday night at the Methanex Bowl.
The Hawks hosted the L.C.I Rams, coming off a 53-21 win over the Monsignor McCoy Colts. Friday’s game was not complete by press time.