SILVERDALE — The North Kitsap Vikings pulled themselves up by the cleats Friday night at Silverdale Stadium.

Following two heartbreaking losses to two of the Narrows League’s top teams — Mount Tahoma (27-21 2 OT) and Olympia (31-3) — NK stormed the winless Central Kitsap Cougars on homecoming eve for the orange and black.

North’s offensive attack was refreshingly diverse while its defense remained rigid, combining to lock up the 28-6 win and help the Vikings’ cause in the playoffs. This week, the Vikings’ homecoming game against Bellarmine Prep will decide third place in the Narrows’ Bay Division and ultimately who goes on and who goes home in terms of the postseason.

Friday night, CK came out ferociously at home with the hype of homecoming not only the possibility of the team’s first win of the season but the playoffs as well.

“We came in understanding that we needed a win to stay alive in the playoff race,” said CK coach Mark Keel. “I think we came back to the problem we’ve had all year which is that we can’t put points on the board.”

Neither the Viking or the Cougar offense could put any points on the scoreboard in the first quarter, but 20 seconds into the second, NK quarterback Paul Stock rolled out and found Eric Hedin for the team’s first touchdown.

On the ensuing Cougar drive, momentum transfered to NK’s defense as junior Greg Ottele snagged an interception off of a Matt Tougas bomb.

North took its next drive all the way inside the Cougar 10-yard-line, knocking at the 14-0 lead, but the Vikings couldn’t convert. A growling Cougar defense forced a turnover on downs.

“They’ve struggled offensively, but their defense is really solid,” NK coach Steve Frease said, complimenting the Cougs. “To their credit, they really came at us and battled hard.”

To North’s credit, Frease said, its defense was just as tough. The Viking interior had six sacks for 42 yards on the game while the secondary came up with two interceptions — one by Ottele and one by Bubby Ditmer late in the game.

After beginning the second half by throwing an interception, racking up back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and allowing a Cougar score, the Vikings turned themselves around and clinched the game.

“I feel like when we execute and block and give Paul (Stock) time, he can throw well,” Frease said, noting the senior threw 5-7 for 70 yards with a touchdown. “And in the same respect, I thought our line blocked very well for our running backs.”

Jamaal Smith scored North’s first touchdown of the second half midway through the third to open the flood gates. He earned 87 yards with hard-nosed running on the game, but North’s collective ground game was even more impressive.

“The line especially,” made it happen for the purple offense,” Stock said. “They centered down and blocked hard … we couldn’t do it without the line.”

North’s maturing line contributed to three rushing touchdowns in the second half — one for each NK back.

With junior Kyle Brose back in the mix with Smith and Brian Cleaver, the Vikings had a variety of options even without one of their top backs — Levi Pixton — who was out with a sprained foot.

However, Cleaver — who ran for a game-high 109 yards on eight carries — injured his shoulder late in the game. It’s unknown when he will return.

“We lost a great back, but we’ve got depth and we’re looking at playoffs,” Stock said. “We’re going to come back and in and crisp everything up. You can’t practice enough, that’s all I can say.”

Pixton is expected to suit up Friday as the Vikings host the Bellarmine Prep Lions for North’s homecoming game beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 20.

GRAY BOX:

Upcoming for the Vikings …

Homecoming Week

7 p.m., Oct. 20 NK vs. Bellarmine

The NK Boosters, homecoming committee, cheerleaders, band and community are cooking up a one-of-a-kind recipe for the Vikings homecoming contest.

The final Boosters Burgerbash of the season will precede the game with meal deals for under $5, while the group will also be holding its drawing for the Matt Hasselback-signed Super Bowl football and the Viking rally package, Boosters secretary Marcy Salo said.

“There will be some amazing half-time entertainment, and there will be an extra special entrance made by the football team that hasn’t been held at North Kitsap in many, many years,” Salo said.

The Viking cheerleaders will also have alumni on hand to cheer during the third quarter, while half-time will include a special presentation by the NK band and of course the homecoming parade.

Homecoming royalty will also be announced.

And the first 500 guests to the stadium will receive free purple and gold pom-poms donated by Dairy Queen and the Silverdale Arby’s.