OLATHE, KANSAS – The Vikings traveled to play MidAmerica Nazarene for a week 8 matchup. Grand View has been battle-tested recently, as they have a big target on their back. Nothing the team isn't used to or embraces, and it showed this Saturday. The Vikings earned their 7th win of the season and 67th straight regular-season victory.
The game started with some adversity as the offense gave up an early turnover. MidAmerica Nazarene took advantage and delivered a 12-yard touchdown to get on the scoreboard first.
Grand View still couldn't put things together and allowed another touchdown in the first quarter, going down 0-14 early in the game.
The Vikings found a rhythm in the following possession. Dalten Van Pelt found impactful first-down runs that kept the Vikings ahead of the sticks. Jackson Waring got into a groove as well and completed passes to Corey Phillips and Triston Williams in the drive. In the red zone, the Vikings delivered a response on a 15-yard connection from Waring to senior Jordan Kumm.
The defense was fueled by the score and got off the field in a hurry, forcing a punt. The next offensive drive crossed into the 2nd quarter and finished as an 11-play, 83-yard touchdown possession to even the score. Waring used his legs during the drive before a huge 3rd and 7 completion to Lance Clayburg for a 20-yard gain. Waring went back to his legs to finish in the end zone.
The Pioneers responded with a long 10-play drive of their own. The Vikings held them to 3rd down three times, but they converted each time.
Things stayed put the rest of the half, and the Vikings went into halftime down 14-21.
The Vikings found more success on the ground to start the third quarter, but a holding penalty stopped the momentum. Grand View's Cory Wood sent a 31-yard field goal through the uprights to add 3.
In the next drive, Tucker Dickherber had the Vikings' first takeaway of the gam,e but was called back on a pass interference call on the other side of the field. MidAmerica went on to finish their drive with another score, and the Vikings were now down 17-28.
Grand View got everyone involved in the ground game on the next possession. Bryant Williams, Ethan Schultz, and Van Pelt all had carries. Waring connected with No. 11, Aisea Toki, for 21 yards and into a 1st and goal situation. The Vikings were forced into a 4th and goal at the two. GV went back to what was working, and Van Pelt punched in the score. Waring connected with Phillips for the 2-point conversion, which brought things within a field goal, 25-28.
Grand View's defense was flying late in this game. Starting the 4th quarter, GV forced a 4th down at midfield due to a Cade Sheedy tackle. On 4th down, Porter Doggett picked off Drew Miller on the Grand View 32 yard-line.
Grand View was forced into a 4th and 11 just into Pioneer territory and played for the field possession as they still had time to score with 10:24 on the clock. Bradyn Cory put his punt on the MidAmerica 10.
MidAmerica had a two-yard rush before a 2nd and 8 play. The Vikings' front four were putting pressure on the QB, and Tucker Dickherber intercepted another pass, but this one would stand. The Vikings got the ball back on a huge takeaway, with a short field to go, inside the 10.
Grand View's Van Pelt almost put a run in from the 7, but was tackled with one to go. Schultz finished the job, and the Vikings took the lead for the first time in the game, with 8:04 left in the game.
Grand View's 2-point conversion was paying dividends now, as they had a 4-point advantage, 32-28. GV let up a couple of first downs before getting sticky on their side of the field. Tracy Davis came up to make a tackle and forced a 3rd and 9. Tucker Dickherber continued to come up big in big moments as he was on the pass breakup for the 3rd down and eventual 4th down stop. Help came from Tommy Kaesburg, who hurried the throw.
Grand View leaned on their rushing attack to end the game, and the rotation of running backs kept them fresh into the final moments. Grand View earned another gritty win, 32-28, and showed composure in enemy territory.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Grand View is on the road again next Saturday. The Vikings will be in Lamoni, Iowa, to take on Graceland University. The game will be at 1:00 PM on November 1st.
