Vikings gearing up for Hat High

By JAMES TUBB on September 22, 2021.

Two perfect teams will enter Friday night, only one will exit.

The matchup at the Methanex Bowl between the Hat High Hawks and the Crescent Heights Vikings will see both teams put their perfect records on the line.

The Vikings are coming off of a 28-6 win against the Brooks Buffalos last Friday. Head coach Sean Davis said after that game that his team started slow, something they’ve had trouble with all year, but played Vikings football after that to get the win.

At Tuesday’s practice, Davis said his team has been going over the tape to get ready for the game.

“We’ve watched all of the game, broke it all down and we’ve got a pretty solid game plan in place,” said Davis. “If we execute like we can, we can play with anybody. It’ll be a really close game on Friday night.”

The two teams, alongside the McCoy Colts, have a strong inner-city rivalry that has come out in prior games. For Davis, keeping their emotions in check is one of his teams abilities.

“That’s a big part of our football team, staying level-headed and not taking dumb penalties. I think our kids will be ready to play and I think we’ll be just fine,” Davis said.

Playing with tenacity will be the Vikings strong suit, something Davis says the team prides themselves on.

“We’re going to do our thing and our strong suit is always we are tenacious and we get after people. I really hope that translates on Friday night,” he said.

For Colby Schneider, a Grade 12 Viking, the game between a city rival is an exciting one and one he thinks the Vikings could win.

“I think the team really stands a good chance,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys on this team that want to play and some of the best athletes in the province and I’m really proud of the way we play. We’ve got to come out hard because this is a good football team. It’s gonna be a good game.”

Much like his coach, Schneider believes his team can keep their emotions in check against their rival team and hold their own against the Hawks.

“You gotta keep an even temper, gotta play with your head but also play with aggression. There’s a time and a place for it. I’m looking forward to what our team can do,” Schneider said. “They’re a tough football team, I’m not gonna lie. They’re a good team but I think that we stand a really good shot at beating these guys.”

The matchup between the Vikings and Hawks kicks off Friday at 7:30 p.m., at the Methanex Bowl.

Share this story: