“Vikings take their first play off victory after an odd and exciting game.

Avalanche started as receiving team, hoping to do damage to Vikings who brought 14 players. A perfect defense slowed the blocks, and a couple of turns in Avalanche had neither advanced or knocked out any player. Vikings then pushed ahead to knock down Jevon Kearse, the main threat apart from star Bruce Irvin. A foul sent him out and this offense was starting to shake.

Dan Herron rushed the other side of the field, screened by two players. Vikings closed in and Dupree tried to dive into the cage to push Herron into the stands. No luck! Instead of scoring Avalanche tried to move the ball further, but the blitz got nowhere and the ball was exposed. A frenzied blitz from David Brown brought the ball loose! Unfortunately rookie blitzer Robert Kant failed the pick up, and Herron simply snatched it up for a 1-0 score.

Vikings advanced on both sides after facing a perfect defense themselves. No one could get really free, but there were options. To clear Fuller on turn 8 a dodge was needed to blitz, and failed. Halftime 0-1, with almost no injuries to either side.

Second half we drove up one side and were very happy to badly hurt Kearse who had returned from being knocked out. In turn 3 the score was fairly easy and we chose to take it. Trying to grind 1-1 against the super catchers one-turning is not a good idea.

By now both dirty players were out for us, so no kick skill, and only 11 players to field. This meant bringing on all catchers, which was a stroke of luck, because we had a Blitz! Fuller was able to reach and catch the ball, screened somewhat by Geathers and Webster. Avalanche showed star power in bringing the ball down and retrieving it. There were options to get at it, but they closed fast. Left was only a -2d block to get Geathers next to the ball with guard. Webster then took his 1d shot.... both down. Reroll! POW! The ball bounced next to another player, but Webster made 3+4+3+ to swoop it up and out of there for a 2-1 lead!

The next drive got messy quickly. Vikings went all in for another cage dive by Dupree. Success! The ball dropped out of bounds and was thrown to the feet of Stipe Lipican who picked it up and retreated to the other side of the field. Game over? No!

Avalanche pushed to get into range, but it took two turns. Lipican then handed off to Webster who ran ahead to punt the ball out of reach. Fumble! Still, no reroll and a far away ball. Irvin then showed his true greatness, making the dash, picking it up and throwing a long pass for a 2-2 TD in turn 7. Wow!

Avalanche shaking, setup without a proper one-turning defense. Fuller got the ball and carried it in for 3-2. His first one turn TD! Super catchers set up to do the same, but another perfect defense! Two Stand firm blitzers now blocked the path, making it very difficult. But it did not matter. Mariota's only played turn was to fumble the pass.

Thump!”