The Tri-County Vikings, still alive in the CSAA-Gold championship race, welcomed Fremont to town. The Packers came into this game at 0-5, but they put up a formidable fight. In the end, Tri-County escaped with a 20-12 victory.
Neither team scored in the first quarter of this game. In the opening minute of the second frame, the Vikings struck first. Tyler Tompkins used his legs, keeping the football and rushing for a 4-yard touchdown. A missed conversion attempt left it 6-0 Tri-County.
Fremont would quickly even the score. Less than two minutes after yielding a score, the Packers found the end zone. Alex Gleason tossed the ball to Wei Chen, who completed the 54-yard pass with a race to the end zone. Fremont attempted an extra point kick, but it was blocked.
With twenty seconds remaining before halftime, Tri-County jumped back in front. Tyler Tompkins and Braden Hallman paired up for a 69-yard touchdown pass. This nice scoring play was followed with an incomplete conversion pass. This gave the Vikings a 12-6 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Vikings’ defense set the tone and sealed this game. Ian Boden stepped in front of a Gleason pass, and he raced 30 yards to the end zone. Nate Lovell chipped in a two-point try, extending the margin to 14 points.
Fremont scored midway through the final frame, as Justin Dirheimer, the conference’s leader in rushing touchdowns, added to his count. Dirheimer scored on a 14-yard run to pull the Packers within eight points. Tri-County would hold Fremont scoreless over the final five minutes to seal the victory.
The Packers, despite losing, outgained Tri-County 403-252. The Vikings rushing attack was bottled up with only 136 yards in this game. Fremont game planned successfully, with nine men in the box throughout the evening.
Tyler Tompkins finished 6/14 passing for Tri-County with 116 yards. Trent Behrenwald paced the Vikings rushing attack with 78 yards on 18 carries. Braden Hallman led Tri-County with 69 receiving yards.
Fremont saw Alex Gleason complete 17/30 passes for 239 yards. Justin Dirheimer was the leading rusher once again, with 113 yards on 26 carries. Wei Chen led the Packers in catches (9) and yards (160).
Next week, Tri-County will take on Central Montcalm in a tough CSAA Gold battle. Fremont will look for their first win against Chippewa Hills.
