Mounties stage Comeback to Defeat Vikings, 29 - 21

The Clarkstown South Vikings opened with a spectacular first half, however, the Suffern Mounties made a big comeback in the second to win Thursday afternoon's home football opener at South in West Nyack, 29 – 21.

Up 18 – 0 with the first half coming to a close, it looked like the Vikings were going to take home a decisive victory.  Then, a clap of thunder and flash of lightning followed by a heavy downpour, forced the referees to delay the game.  When the teams returned to the field, it rapidly turned into a different game, as the Mounties succeeded in their rush to score a touchdown before the second half. 

They kept the momentum rolling as they scored three more touchdowns to the Vikings' single field goal.

Both teams played hard and well for most of the game, however, the major factor in this game was momentum. 

"The thunder and lighting were just divine intervention," said Mounties head coach Bill Delaney.  "They were more ready to go out of the gate than us, however, the kids really held the rope and pulled each other up hand over hand and it worked out well for us." 

Indeed, the Vikings got the momentum behind them for the majority of the first half, but the Mounties quickly snatched that away from them at the end of the half and carried it on through the second.

The Vikings executed well right off the bat to score their first touchdown.  It was the quarterback, #7 Tommy McGuire, with the nine yard pass to #42 Neil Munroe for the first touchdown of the game.   After that quick initial goal, everything started going the Vikings' way.  The Mounties then lost the ball on the reception for #31 Zach Johnson to recover on the Mounties' own 38 yard line.  This started a quick drive which ended in a field goal by #6 Shane Cronin to put South up 10 – 0.

The Vikings just kept the rout going, as they only allowed the Mounties to progress six yards by their fourth down to their own 36 yard line.  Forced to punt, the Vikings received to start their drive at their 32 yard line.  Great passing and running brought them to the five yard line, where McGuire passed to #5 Nicholas King for the touchdown.  The two point conversion was good to make it 18 – 0.  Though the Mounties kept playing hard, they appeared outmatched by the excellent defense and offense of the Vikings.

The Mounties received and brought it into Vikings' territory by the four minute warning.  Then, with the weather worsening, the officials were forced to postpone the game.  After about an hour had elapsed, the teams were finally able to return to the field.  They quickly warmed up and resumed play.

The Mounties got their first down, however, the Vikings' #34 Frank Tucek intercepted the ball shortly after.  South was unable to make use of the opportunity, however, and they were forced to punt to the Mounties.  Suffern executed extremely well to drive the ball down the field and promptly score.  This brought the score to 18 – 7.  The Vikings received the kickoff and began their drive, however they did not have enough time to retaliate before the end of the half.

The Mounties received the kickoff, however they were unable to keep the drive going against stellar defense from the Vikings.  They were forced to punt, however the Vikings fumbled the reception and the Mounties were able to recover.  They drove the ball right into the end zone and got the two point conversion to bring them to within three.

The Vikings then received, however they crumbled under the pressure from the Mounties' defense.  Eventually, they were forced to punt.  Suffern then drove the ball aggressively and effectively straight to the end zone for a touchdown.  The extra point was good to put them in the lead, for the first time in the game, 22 – 18.

South then went on an excellent drive which ended in another field goal by Cronin to bring them within one.  After going back and forth a couple of times, the Mounties' #1 Albert Emmett intercepted the pass to bring the ball to a first and goal.  Though the Vikings put up quite a defensive effort, the Mounties fought their way through them into the end zone.  The extra point was tipped, but there was enough force on it to put through the goal posts to make the score 29 – 21.

The two teams went back and forth a bit more, yet neither team could make it into the end zone.  The final whistle blew with the Vikings trailing by eight.  After a great effort from both teams, the Mounties were able to return home victorious.

"It was just execution," said Vikings' head coach Michael Scarpelli of the difference in the second half.  "The layover gave us a little lull and, after that, it was difficult to get it going again."  Despite the loss, Scarpelli was happy about his team's perseverance, saying "the kids played to the end and didn't give up.  That's what the game is all about."

After defeating Mount Vernon in their first game 37 – 6, the Vikings are now 1 – 1 for the season.  They look to make that 2 – 1 when they play Ramapo next Friday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.