Vikings Battle Through Adversity, Comeback Falls Short

The Souderton Indians set the tone early Friday night as they marched the length of the field on the opening drive, which consumed all but four minutes of the first quarter, to jump out to a 6-0 lead over as Division I recruit Javon White (9 carries, 40 yards) punched it in from one yard out.

Even though a comedy of errors by the Vikings, including a botched snap on a punt, two interceptions and two lost fumbles, which fueled a 28-point first half outburst by Souderton and led to all but six of the host teams points, Coach Scott Reed was impressed with how his  team responded and battled back.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way our team battled tonight,” said Reed. “We had some adversity tonight and fought to the bitter end. The guys showed a great sense of urgency, especially in the second half, and it really looked like they were starting to believe in themselves. (That) will be a big factor as we head into our league schedule.

For the second straight week, Perkiomen Valley (1-1) dominated play in the second half. Senior captain Ryan D’Ambrosio stepped in as quarterback, due to another player's injuries, and led the offense to scores in the third quarter, cutting the Indians' lead in half.

D'Ambrosio (13-for-28 for 149 yards, 1TD, 2INT) hit sophomore Clay Domine on a perfect fade, on which Domine battled two defenders to break into the end zone. D’Ambrosio also had the Vikings in scoring position of two more drives that ended with a turnover.

“I was unbelievably proud of the way Ryan stepped it up,” added Reed. “He threw the ball well all night. We had some drops in the first half, or there may have been a different outcome. I think our guys have done a great job of conditioning this camp, which is probably why the last two weeks we have been successful in the later stages of the game.”

Following an interception by Ezra Ranco, which gave the Vikings excellent field position, Donte Golson-Goldman (8 carries, 94 yards) got Perk Valley on the board by shedding three Souderton would-be tacklers and racing down the left sideline 52 yards to paydirt.

Perk Valley threatened again as the fourth quarter got under way. D’Ambrosio connected with senior standout receiver Ryan Boyd time and time again. Golson-Goodman broke two big runs; but when Javon White picked off a pass at the Indians eight-yard line, it ended the threat and the Vikings' hope of a come-from-behind victory.

Perk Valley             0            0            13         0            -13

Souderton            14            14          0          6            -34

First quarter

4:18     SOUD     White  1 yd run            (Johnson kick blocked)

  :48     SOUD    McNamara 2 yd run       (White run)

Second quarter

8:23     SOUD     Reinhard 2 yd run            (Johnson kick)

4:40     SOUD     Scholl 92yd run            (Johnson kick)

Third quarter

6:45     PV     Golson-Goldman 52 yd run                 (Chudoba kick)

  :16     PV    Domine 9 yd pass from D’Amnrosio ( kick blocked)

Fourth quarter

6:35     SOUD    Scholl       35 yd run                   (kick failed)