The Snohomish County Vikings put together their strongest second-half effort of the 2004 season in last week’s Northwest Football League clash with the Oregon Panthers.

But it still wasn’t quite good enough as Oregon held on for a 32-27 victory July 17 at Marshall High School in Portland.

After allowing four touchdowns (three in the second quarter), the Snohomish County defense limited Oregon to only one touchdown in the second half.

The stellar defensive effort was complemented by an equally strong offensive showing.

Trailing 32-12 in the third quarter, the Vikings mounted a furious comeback with a pair of third quarter scores.

A 6-yard touchdown run by running back Aaron Cupp and a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Steve Casino in the third quarter along with a 32-yard field goal by Nick Obrastoff in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 32-27.

Then with about two minutes left in the game, Snohomish County mounted its final drive, moving the ball from its own 35 to inside the Panthers 20. But a fourth-down pass fell incomplete and the Vikings had to turn the ball over on downs with about 30 seconds remaining. Oregon (1-3) then ran the clock out to notch its first victory of the season.

“We probably had the best second half of the year,” said Snohomish County coach Wes Fischer. “We held them to one (touchdown) in the second half … the offense put it together. We had a good running game and a reasonable passing game.”

Casino finished with 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Oregon’s Will Halloway caught touchdown passes of 40 and 30 yards and also ran for a 38-yard score.

“Their kid was extremely fast,” Fischer said. “He would get pass one guy and make someone miss.”

The Vikings took a 6-0 lead on a 12-yard touchdown run by Casino in the first quarter. Snohomish County missed the extra point, the first of four unsuccessful PATs.

The Panthers tied the score later in the quarter and then scored three more touchdowns and a safety in the second quarter.

Snohomish County’s lone touchdown in the second quarter was a 20-yard pass from quarterback John McCourt to wide receiver Phil Nugent.

The Viking defense regrouped at halftime.

“I think in the first half there was a lot of talk, especially with the three touchdowns,” Fischer said. “They (defenders) were getting away from focusing on what they needed to do. We got them settled down. They came out and played hard football. The defensive line stopped everything that tried to go up the middle.”

On offense, Casino and Cupp led the way with the help of their teammates.

“Our offensive line was giving them blocks. The receivers down the field were blocking,” Fischer said. “They (Casino and Cupp) were knocking people down. They were making people miss. It was impressive.”

Snohomish County (0-5) hosts the undefeated Oregon Thunderbolts (4-0) at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, July 24) at Edmonds Stadium.

“We have to continue with our running game,” Fischer said. “The run uses up the clock and keeps other people off the field.”

… we’re going to try and pass just enough to keep them honest. Defensively, we have to keep them from running and making the big play.”