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The North Branch football team had the misfortune to play Totino Grace for the second time in less than three weeks. Tuesday, October 24 the score of the second game, in the first round of section playoffs, was 49-0 in favor of the Eagles on their home field.

The first two possessions of the game established a pattern that was followed throughout. Junior Cole Wilcoxen took the opening kickoff for the Vikings and returned it to the 31 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Viking tailback Justin Novak took a handoff from quarterback Mark Johnson and went to the right. He used his speed to get outside the first two potential tacklers. Just when it appeared he might be able to make it to the outside and pick up some positive yardage, a convocation of Eagles swooped in and dumped him for a three yard loss.

Two incompletions later, North Branch head coach Dave Eyre put Novak back in punting formation. Unfortunately, the snap bounced to his right and, by the time he got control of the ball, he had no choice but to try to run. He made six yards, but the Eagles still got the ball with a first down on the Vikings 34.

Four plays later, including a 27 yard pass and run, the Eagles scored. Less than five minutes had elapsed and Totino had a 7-0 lead.

On their next possession, the Vikings started on their own 16, after a Jared Grams return. From there, things were going the Vikings’ way with three consecutive first downs.

Two Novak runs gave them a first down on their 26. Things looked even better after a Johnson to Johnny Han pass gave the Vikings a 35 yard gain and a fresh four on the Totino end of the field at the 41. Runs by Novak, Grams and Johnson gained another first down at the 30.

But, the Vikings started first and 15 on their next series because of a delay-of-game penalty. That was followed by a Johnson incompletion, intended for Han. On second down, Novak was dropped for a loss. Han gained six on a reception on third down. A Novak to Han fourth down, halfback option pass failed and the Eagles took over on their own 25.

A fired up Viking defense stopped Totino on its next series. An Eagle running back was stuffed for no gain on first down. The North Branch pass defense forced incomplete passes on second and third downs. However, good teams like the number one ranked Eagles seem to be able to come up with a big play when they need to. On fourth down, the TG punter drove a low, line drive punt past the Viking return men. When the ball was downed, it was marked at the Viking 25 yard line making it a 50 yard punt with no return.

The Eagle defense gave Novak one yard on first down and took it back on second. On third down, Johnson was forced to take a two yard loss when Totino tacklers poured through the Viking blockers. On fourth down, the Vikings tried to catch the Eagles by surprise. This time, Novak lined up in punting formation and tried to pass. The ball fell incomplete and Totino took over with a short field in front of them.

From the Viking 23, the Eagles scored in four plays. With 29.9 seconds remaining in quarter one, Totino had a two TD lead.

The Vikings were still in the game, but the Eagles were just getting warmed up. They put 21 on the board in the second period while the Vikings were unable to answer. NB played better in the second half, but it was too little, too late as they completed the shutout and earned the right to do the same to Monticello in the section semifinals.

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