POULSBO — Domination.
The energy pushing the Vikings Friday night was enough to move a city bus and it was enough to spark a 56-point bang, sending off the 21 North seniors in style.
Homecoming night packed in a full house of vigor that all seemed to pulse from the beat of the pep-band bass drum. On the field NK radiated confidence that controlled the entire game.
The Vikings scored eight touchdowns, in virtually every way possible, with eight different players.
The ground game was North’s strong suit; the team rushed for 333 yards on 49 tries.
Jerrell Smith landed NK on the board going to the zone on a 13 yard run early in the first quarter. Greg Ottele’s PAT was good, putting the Vikes up 7-0.
The Vikings started the second quarter with a pitch to Jamaal Smith that went for a first down into Oly territory. Then a double reverse sent Smith into the red zone; James Smith capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown. Ottele’s point after sailed through the uprights, quickly the score was 14-0 North.
The Olympic sideline was distraught, to say the least, as NK chomped away at the field relentlessly. On the defensive side, the Vikings were solid as granite, allowing the Trojans only 113 yards in total offense. Six or seven purple shirts pursued the ball regularly.
The game reel rolled highlight after highlight for NK. Sam Harris ended the first Trojan drive of the second quarter with a sack, then NK pushed the ball down for Ray Spears to sweep in the Vikes’ third touchdown. On a following Olympic attempt, Bubby Ditmer ended the Trojans’ possession with a leaping interception. At the close of the first half, NK led 21-0.
The half-time show featured everything from Homecoming queens to cross-dressers, from the pep-band to a pair of yellow-stockinged boxer-clad “streakers.†The departing seniors were recognized as were the homecoming royalty and float winners. But when the Vikings hit the field, they went back to business.
Jerrell Smith started the half by putting on a tough-running exhibition, he ended the game with 60 yards on 11 carries. He carried the Vikings to the 13-yard-line, knocking at the door of another score. As fans danced in the stands, Paul Stock lofted six points into the hands of Jeff Otelle at the rim of the end-zone to cap the first drive of the half. Extra point good, 28-0 North.
Olympic could not get anything rolling.
The run game proved as ineffective as the pass, and the Trojans were left hoping for a break. Searching for a big play, quarterback Erik Gratz threw his second interception of the game into the hands of Ditmer. North’s second-string offense took over and powered into the endzone on a fourth and two plunge by Ryan Anderson, 42-0 North.
A fumble, a touchdown, half a quarter and a missed snap later, Sean Campbell recovered the ball in the endzone to break the 50 mark for NK. Another successful point-after, and the Viking offense rested, 56-0.
“Way to take care of business,†coaches complimented the exuberant Vikings following the game.
“Enjoy this one for a little bit, but here comes Shelton,†coach Steve Frease cautioned.
The last game of the season and the true test for the Vikings lies in Shelton at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. The Highclimbers are atop the Narrows League standings in a three-way tie for first place with SK and Gig Harbor. To ensure a spot in the postseason, the Vikes must overcome the tough squad.
“I think we’ll go down there and compete like heck, and we will see,†coach Frease said in determination.
With this shut-out, North accumulated confidence that has been building week by week, said Frease.
