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The long-running rivalry between the Vikings and the Wildcats turned out to be a one-sided affair this year. The Wildcats outscored the Vikings 51-6 in the first half on their way to a 58-20 win Friday, September 21 at Chisago Lakes.

The Wildcats began the game's opening drive at their own 33 yard-line and moved quickly down the field. On first down, the Wildcats tried a halfback option. Viking defensive back Kirk Dahle intercepted the pass to thwart the Wildcat drive and give the Vikings a big lift early in the game. But the Vikings went three-and-out on their first drive and were forced to punt. The Wildcats blocked the punt and recovered the ball at the North Branch 18 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Jon Lien took the handoff and ran into the end zone for an early Wildcat lead. After the Brandon Mueller extra point, the Wildcats led 7-0.

The Wildcat offense scored on their next four possessions, as well. On the second play of the ensuing Viking drive, Wildcat Craig Close picked off a pass and gave the Wildcats the ball at midfield. Two plays later, Mueller rumbled 31 yards for a touchdown. Wildcat quarterback Andy Willhite hit Mueller with touchdown passes of 56 and 2 yards, and then hooked up with Eric Sargeant for a 27 yard touchdown pass.

The Wildcat defense and special teams then got in on the scoring. The Vikings had their backs against the goal line, and the Wildcat defense forced a safety as the Vikings fell on their own fumble in the end zone. The Vikings fumbled the ball in their own end zone again on the next drive, and this time Wildcat Jacob Elzy fell on the ball for his first varsity touchdown. Jon Lien returned the next Viking punt 49 yards for a touchdown, and the Wildcats led 51-0.

The Vikings finally got on the scoreboard just before halftime. Facing third-and-six from their own 49 yard line, Chad Anderson took the handoff and ran 51 yards for a touchdown to make the score 51-6 going into the half.

The Vikings scored late in the third quarter. Runs of 25 yards by Dillon Kost and 13 yards by quarterback Cole Willcoxen gave the Vikings a first down at the Wildcat 10 yard line. After three straight incompletions, the Vikings went for it on fourth down. Willcoxen hit Kirk Dahle with a touchdown pass and Anderson ran in the two-pointer to close the gap to 51-14 Wildcats.

The Wildcats then went on a time-consuming 12-play drive capped off by quarterback Steven Larsen's 3 yard touchdown run to put the Wildcats up 58-14. The drive was highlighted by runs of 22 and 15 yards by Alan Swanberg.

The Vikings scored the game's last points on a 22 yard run by junior Nick Grey, making the final score Chisago Lakes 58, North Branch 20.

Anderson led the Vikings with 15 rushes for 91 yards, Dillon Kost caught six passes for 56 yards and Willcoxen completed 8 passes for 83 yards and one touchdown. For the Wildcats, Alan Swanberg led the Wildcats with 70 yards on just four carries, Mueller caught three passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns, and Willhite completed six passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns.

"We had a couple of turnovers in the first half," said Wildcat head coach Bill Weiss, "but for the most part we were able to do some good things on in all three phases of the game - offense, defense and special teams. The big margin going into the second half gave us a chance to play some of our younger players. As coaches, it gives us a chance to see what our second-string and third-string players can do under the lights on Friday night. During the practice week, those players don't getting many reps running our offense and defense. They often have to simulate our upcoming opponent's offense or defense and go up against the regulars. So we're glad to be able to give those guys an opportunity to play and it's nice to see them step up when given that opportunity."

Speaking about the Wildcats' next opponent, coach Weiss said, "Cooper is a very athletic team," said Weiss. "They've got a couple of skill players on the offense that can create some excitement. Their top running back is a good cutback type of runner - they like to put him on the edge and have him look for a hole to cut back into. We'll have to be careful not to overpursue and allow those plays to turn into big gains. They also have a speedy, go-to receiver. Overall, their offense is pretty straightforward. There's not a lot of fanciness. They'll bring it right at us. If we play good, solid defense, contain their skill players and avoid turnovers on offense, we should do all right."

SCORING SUMMARY

1 2 3 4 T

North Branch 0 6 8 6 20

Chisago Lakes 21 30 0 7 58

1st Quarter

CL-Lien 17 run (Mueller kick)

CL-Mueller 31 run (kick failed)

CL-Mueller 56 pass from Willhite (Spehar run)

2nd Quarter

CL-Mueller 2 pass from Willhite (Mueller kick)

CL-Sargeant 27 pass from Willhite (Mueller kick)

CL-Safety, ball fumbled out of end zone.

CL-Elzy recovered fumble in end zone (Mueller kick)

CL-Lien 49 punt return (Mueller kick)

NB-Anderson 51 run (kick failed)

3rd Quarter

NB-Dahle 10 pass from Willcoxen (Anderson run)

4th Quarter

CL-Larsen 3 run (Mueller kick)

NB-Grey 20 run (pass failed)

It doesn't get any easier for the Vikings this week as they'll play undefeated conference powerhouse Spring Lake Park tomorrow night, Friday, September 27, at 7 p.m. at North Branch.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, will travel to New Hope to take on Robbinsdale0 Cooper tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

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