Interceptions: #-yards-TDs (long) Vikings:
#21 Anthony Henderson 3-48 (48),
#24 Chris Miller 1-0 Bulldogs:
#21
Miguel Pierre 1-1, #26 Arthur Sanchez 1-0
…..
The Snohomish County Vikings opened the inaugural PFL
season in a tough fashion, hosting the powerhouse Bellingham Bulldogs
team that dominated the NAFL for the past two seasons. Despite
getting handled through most of the first half, the Vikings stormed
back late in the 2nd quarter and scored 31 straight points en
route to a 34-18 victory.
….. The Bulldogs mishandled
the opening kickoff and started the game at their own 4 yard line.
Tough running by Greg Thomas, and a 20 yard burst outside from
Brett Hall moved to ball out to the 40. Quarterback Leon Lilley
connected with TE Tyler Nibarger for 12 more yards before a dropped
pass on 3rd and 13 forced the Bulldogs to punt.
….. The Vikings took over at
their own 25 but solid defense by LB Tim Corey and DB Toby Seim
forced a 3 and out. A 10 yard return set up the Bellingham offense
at their 33 yard line. A couple of runs by Thomas netted 6 yards
and a pass interference penalty on 3rd and 4 extended the Bulldog
drive. Lilley then connected with Jeshua Morgan for 19 yards down
to the Viking 38. A Viking sack on 3rd and 11 ended the drive
and forced the Bulldogs to punt again.
….. The Vikings started on their
own 18 and two runs netted zero yards. Facing 3rd and 10, Bisnett
connected with Patrick Sullivan for 13 yard to move the chains.
On the next play RB Paul Won turned a quick out into a 42 yard
gain down to the sideline to the Bulldog 27. The Bellingham defense
stiffened and Vikings kicker Nicholas Terrel boomed a 45 yard
field goal to put the Vikings on the board with 1:40 remaining
in the first quarter. (link
to video of the 7 play, 54 yard drive)
Safety
Anthony Henderson cane up with this interception at the
end of the 1st quarter.
….. The Bulldogs again mishandled
the kickoff and this time it was scooped up by Tim Corey who returned
it 13
yards out to the 28. Lilley connected with Nibarger for 9 yards
and Thomas pounded out the first down. On the next play Lilley
dropped back and threw deep down the left sideline to Jeshua Morgan
who had a step on the Viking corner. Safety Anthony Henderson
was there and out battled Morgan for the interception at the Vikings
27 with just 7 seconds left in the first quarter.
….. A Bulldog pass interference
followed by an encroachment penalty moved the Vikings out to the
41. Tony Perkins swept left for 9 yards and another first down.
Veteran cornerback Arthur Sanchez came up with a deep pass down
the right sideline setting up the Bulldog offense at the 19.
….. The Bulldog offense hit
the field and Lillie connected with Morgan for 21 and 3 yards
and then Thomas went up the middle for 8 more to move Bellingham
across midfield. Hall caught back to back passes of 14 and 13
yards and Anthony Rubi pounded off left tackle for 7 more. Another
Viking penalty set up the Bulldogs with a first and goal at the
7. The Viking defense stiffened and allowed just 1 yard on the
next 3 plays. On 4th and goal from the 6, Lilley took a short
drop and rifled the ball between 3 defenders to Morgan in the
back of the end zone. The ball ricocheted off Morgan's chest up
into the air where TE Tyler Nibarger grabbed it to give the Bulldogs
a 6-3 lead. On the two-point attempt a quick throw to Seim in
the flat was incomplete. (link
to video of the 15 play, 81 yard drive).
Safety
Miguel Pierre set up the Bullodgs 2nd touchdown with this
late 2nd qtr interception.
…..
The Vikings managed just two first downs on the ensuing
drive, and one of those came on a Bulldog penalty. Bisnett's 2nd
interception ended the drive; this time it was Miguel Pierre coming
up with the ball at the Bellingham 33 with 2:00 left in the half.
Lilley hit Morgan for 9 and then connected with Seim over the
top for 32 down to the Vikings 26. Facing 3rd and 10 after back
to back incompletions, Lilley threw down the middle to Nibarger.
The ball was high and safety Chris Miller appeared to have another
Viking interception. Nibarger reached up and knocked the ball
out of Millers hands up into the air. Receiver Toby Seim, who
was trailing the play, saw the ball in the air and accelerated
for it. He caught the ball at the 3 and dove into the end zone
to put the Bulldogs up 12-3 with 1:22 left. Lilley connected with
Nibarger on the two point conversion but an illegal participation
foul nullified the play and the 2nd attempt was stuffed. (link
to video of the 6 play, 67 yard drive).
….. Markiese Smith fielded a
short kickoff and exploded up the middle across mid-field to the
Bulldog 45. After a short scramble on 1st down, Bisnett hit Brandon
Hadnot on a quick slant for 11 yards. With the clock ticking down
with less than half a minute remaining, Bisnett found Sullivan
wide open at the 15. With no defender within 5 yards, Sullivan
turned up field and headed to the house. He juked one safety at
the 15, ran through the arm tackle of another safety at the 11,
and tried to outrun the deep corner coming from his right. The
corner caught him at the 1 but Sullivan fell into the end zone
with 19 seconds left. Terrel's PAT put the Vikings within 2. (link
to video of the 3 play, 45 yard drive).
