The Snohomish County Vikings won the statistical battle against the Seattle Stallions in almost every respect.
Snohomish County outgained Seattle in total offensive yards, recorded more first downs and committed fewer penalties.
But the one statistic that ultimately cost the Vikings dearly was turnovers.
Snohomish County turned the ball over five times as Seattle prevailed 18-3 in a Northwest Football League game July 21 at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle.
The Vikings fumbled the ball six times and lost four of them in a nightmarish first half played under miserably wet conditions.
“It was a great defensive effort,” Snohomish County head coach Wes Fischer said. “The offense just couldn’t get it done.”
The rainy weather also didn’t help the Vikings’ special teams, which missed four field goals.
Fischer was pleased with Snohomish County’s defense, which was coming off a lackluster performance in a 35-28 loss to Willamette Valley.
“What a great response to what happened to them the week before,” Fischer said.
The loss dropped Snohomish County (3-3 in the league, 6-3 overall) into a three-way tie for fourth place with Pierce County (3-3, 3-3) and Willamette Valley (3-3, 5-3).
The playoff race is as wide open as it’s been in years. The league recently decided to expand the playoffs from four to six teams.
Part of the reason for the change is the increased parity among the teams this season. Pierce County defeated NWFL runner-up West Sound (1-5, 2-6) 18-12 and Oregon (5-1, 7-1) barely sneaked by Renton (1-5, 1-8), a team at the bottom of the standings, 9-6.
“Everybody is playing everybody really close,” Fischer said. “This is not only one of the best leagues in the country, it’s one of the toughest.”
Snohomish County enters a critical part of its schedule the next few weeks.
The Vikings take on the Washington Cavaliers (2-4, 2-6) at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at North Thurston High School in Olympia. Washington is coming off a 37-7 loss to King County (6-0, 6-0).
Snohomish County then faces Renton and Multnomah County (1-5, 1-5) before closing out the season against King County, currently the only undefeated team in the league.
The Vikings are quite familiar with the Cavaliers, having played them in a number of exhibition games through the years.
“Penalties and turnovers will be the key to what happens,” Fischer said.
Fischer certainly doesn’t expect the offense to repeat what happened against the Stallions.
“We have to do what we do well — run the pass and throw short passes,” he said.
The Snohomish County defense will be tested by a Washington offense that likes to run the ball and focuses on a short passing game.
“The next few games we have to play at our best level,” Fischer said. “You have to take care of the ball to be successful.”
The Vikings’ defense was tested early by the Stallions, who blocked a punt deep in Snohomish County territory early in the first quarter. The Vikings shut down Seattle and took over on downs when Jeff Barry sacked quarterback Jon Stewart on fourth-and-three from the Snohomish County 7-yard line.
On the ensuing drive, the Vikings drove down to the Stallions’ 23-yard line before stalling and missing a 40-yard field goal.
A Snohomish County fumble led to the game’s first touchdown, a 26-yard pass from Stewart to Jonathan Reece with 1:46 to go in the second quarter. The extra point was missed.
The Vikings responded with a five-play, 45-yard drive that culminated with a 25-yard field goal by Jason Skahan and Snohomish County went into halftime down 6-3.
Tim Reese scored on a 1-yard run to boost Seattle’s lead to 12-3 at the 7:36 mark of the third quarter. A two-point conversion running attempt was stuffed.
Seattle safety Chris Martin returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The extra point attempt was no good.
Snohomish County outgained Seattle 201-141 in total yardage and had a 16-6 advantage in first downs. The Vikings were flagged for only three penalties for 27 yards, while the Stallions had eight for 67.
Snohomish County running back Brandon Lewis rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries and caught three passes for 33 yards. Stewart ran for 64 yards on 15 carries. He completed seven of 20 passes for 69 yards with one interception.
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