Surging Snohomish County faces key test against Jaguars

Published 9:53 am Friday, February 22, 2008

The Snohomish County Vikings can climb right back into the Northwest Football League playoff picture with a victory over the King County Jaguars this weekend.

Fresh off a 16-12 triumph over the Washington Cavaliers, Snohomish County would move into at least a tie for fourth place and the final postseason berth if they beat King County in the key matchup, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 10) at French Field in Kent.

The game will feature a clash between the Jaguars high-powered offense and a stingy Vikings defense. Though last week, King County scored the fourth most points in the league, while the Snohomish County defense allowed fewer than 10 points per game in its last four contests.

“I know the Jaguars are pretty good on the pass,” said Vikings coach Wes Fischer. “They’ve always been a pretty good passing team … I know we’re hard to run against. It’ll probably be a pretty tough battle.”

King County is coming off a bye and Snohomish County (2-4 in the league, 2-5-1 overall) won its second straight game over the Washington Cavaliers Aug. 3 at Evergreen State College in Olympia.

While the Vikings offense and defense again had stellar performances, the difference this time was the play of the special teams.

Snohomish County kicker Larry Moody kicked three field goals and an extra point.

The Vikings took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when quarterback John McCourt connected with Wallace Duncan on a 35-yard touchdown. Moody followed with the extra point and then booted a 46-yard field goal with 7.5 seconds left in the second quarter to give Snohomish County a 10-0 halftime lead.

Moody’s field goal was set up by an interception by Sam Humble, which followed up a pick by Kiko Soto in the first quarter.

“We had a couple of sacks, two interceptions. We were doing what we needed to do,” Fischer said. “We were getting first downs and giving the defense the chance to rest.”

Midway through the third quarter, Moody kicked a 35-yard field goal to give Snohomish County a 13-0 advantage.

Washington stormed back in the quarter, scoring on a pair of long passes to cut the Vikings’ lead to 13-12. The Cavaliers (0-6, 1-7) attempted and missed the extra point on the first touchdown and then were stopped on a 2-point attempt.

“Their quarterback managed to scramble and get outside,” Fischer said. “Give them credit. They don’t quit. They’ve had a tough season so far too.”

Moody closed out the scoring with a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings punt and kickoff units also kept the Cavaliers in check throughout the game.

“They were not getting good field position,” Fischer said. “We gave them a longer field to go on.”

Snohomish County’s offense line again responded to Fischer’s challenge.

“We had some really good runs off of (Steve) Casino and (Greg) Harmon and Ondre Brown,” Fischer said. “They did a good job of running the ball … The bottom line is that we’re not trying to finesse as much as we are trying to knock people off the ball.

“On the line, that’s where the battle is won or lost.”

When he went back to pass, McCourt also had ample protection from the line.

“He wasn’t sacked at anytime,” Fischer said. “The guys gave him lots of time to throw. That makes a big difference.”

The Vikings’ lone turnover was the first quarter interception. Playing mistake-free ball against King County is going to be one of the keys to beating the Jaguars, Fischer said.

Snohomish County’s four league losses to start the season hurt the team’s chances for the playoffs but the Vikings were still mathematically alive for the NWFL’s fourth and final playoff spot.

“(We) have to win every game the rest of the way out and get some help,” Fischer said. “If that happens, there’s a possibility.”

In addition to King County, Snohomish County travels to Pierce County next week and then hosts the Eastside Chiefs to close out the season in the annual Harvest Bowl at 6 p.m. Aug. 24.

The team will be presenting a check to the Volunteers of America at halftime of the game.