August 27, 2015 at 3:26 p.m.
Ashley explodes onto the scene with three scores in a 21-20 win over Rapids
Ashley explodes onto the scene with three scores in a 21-20 win over Rapids
But things took a drastic change in the first game of the 2015 season.
Ashley scored all three touchdowns – one on a long touchdown pass, another on a short pass and another on a kick return – to propel the Vikings to a season opening 21-20 win over Grand Rapids on Saturday, August 22.
After a scoreless first quarter, Ashley caught a six yard touchdown pass from first-year quarterback Brandon Miller. Evan Amunrud’s extra point was good and the Vikings were up 7-0 going into halftime.
Late in the third quarter, the Thunderhawks finally got on the board with a two-yard touchdown plunge by quarterback Eric Soderberg. Their ensuing extra point tied the game at seven.
Ashley quickly untied it, however, when he took the kickoff back 89 yard to paydirt for another North Branch touchdown. Amunrud’s extra point sailed wide, but the Vikes still enjoyed a 13-7 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Rapids answered back with another short Soderberg score following a long run by the signal caller to set it up. GR’s extra point put them up 14-13 with only 10 minutes left to play.
Again, it didn’t take Ashley and the North Branch offense long to respond. After a first down and a few nice gains, Miller found Ashley open for a 59 yard touchdown pass, with Ashley carving up the defense on his way to the end zone.
Miller again went to Ashley on the two point conversion, and the Vikes added what would prove to be a critical two point conversion to stretch the lead to 21-14.
With just under six minutes left to play, Soderberg connected with Dakota Hocking on a 64-yard touchdown pass to trim the lead to 21-20. But, Joe Palik’s extra point missed the mark, preserving a 21-20 lead for North Branch.
The teams traded defensive stops until North Branch sealed the win with an interception on the Thunderhawks’ last drive.
Ashley ended his night with five receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns and the kick return touchdown.
Miller was six-of-14 for 150 yards. Five of his six completions went to Ashley while the other was a 10 yard gain to Nick Franklin.
As a team, the Vikings really struggled to move the ball on the ground. The finished with negative yardage on 12 carries, something they’ll have to work on as the season moves forward. They only had three first downs on the day and only ran 35 plays to Grand Rapids’ 61. Their defense really stepped up while the offense struggled outside of the few big plays made.
Jacob Souther came up with the big game-sealing interception and Hunter Johnson chipped in a sack on the Grand Rapids quarterback.
The Vikings will get a big step up in competition in their second week of the season. They’ll host St. Francis, who was 8-3 last year and coming off a 24-14 win over Bemidji in their opener. It was a rematch of last year’s section finals game that Bemidji won 43-38.
The Vikings home opener is on Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m.
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