The Vale Vikings go to 1-1 on the season after their loss to Cole Valley Christian Friday. (The Enterprise/Kristine de Leon)
BOISE – Cole Valley Christian built a 20-6 lead at halftime and then held off the Vikings down the stretch to post a 22-12 non-league win Friday at Bishop Kelly High School.
“We got into a bit of a hole early and played catch up,” said Viking Coach Jeff Aldred.
Aldred said the Vikings had their chances but couldn’t get the offense untracked.
“We had opportunities but didn’t execute. We had a couple of turnovers, we had a couple of drops, one dropped touchdown pass and honestly we were playing behind the eight ball the whole game,” said Aldred.
The Vikings also lost a key player – Kade Haueter – to injury in the second quarter. He hurt his neck as he blitzed from his linebacker position, said Aldred.
“He is an extremely versatile player. He plays multiple positions,” said Aldred.
He said the Vikings weren’t prepared for Cole Valley’s speed.
“They are very, very athletic. They have skill position players all over the place,” said Aldred.
Statistically the contest was close. The Vikings rushed for 169 yards while Cole Valley Christian amassed 125 yards on the ground.
Vale quarterback Colton Kesey was 11 of 21 for 94 yards but had two interceptions.
“It took us a while to get going,” said Aldred. “They did a good job of disguising their defense but neither team was super-efficient offensively,” said Aldred.
He said he wasn’t too disappointed with the Vikings.
“It wasn’t that we played terrible, it was we just didn’t execute when we needed to,” said Aldred.
Now Vale (1-1) prepare to host Weiser this Friday. Weiser defeated Ontario Friday night 41-33.
“They will be hard to handle. They do what they do very well,” said Aldred of the Wolverines.
Weiser will be just the first challenge for the Vikings, who will then face Clatskanie in Umatilla, Homedale and Nyssa over the next four weeks.
“We have a tough month ahead of us,” said Aldred.
Reporter Pat Caldwell: [email protected] or 541-473-3377.