The Swan Valley Vikings and Hemlock Huskies battled to a thrilling Week 9 conclusion on Friday evening. It required overtime, and in the end, Swan Valley won 35-34.
On the opening drive, Swan Valley’s fourth play resulted in a turnover. Hemlock stripped the football and raced to the end zone for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, Swan Valley evened the count on a Maxwell Kerby catch from Colton Klein. Hemlock responded to take a 14-7 lead.
Swan Valley would get one more touchdown in the first half, as Lucionno Finley carried the football across the goal line. This brought the game to a 14-14 draw at halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, Hemlock retook the lead. The Huskies scored on a passing play from Max Dinninger to Bryce Murphy. The Vikings evened the count on a pass from Klein to Payton Guilbeaux.
With eleven minutes to go, Hemlock jumped back ahead on a run by Robert Knapik. That lead would hold for five minutes, before Swan Valley got all-square once more. Colton Klein aired it out to Mark Adams, who MOSSED! his defender with a phenomenal jump ball completion. This would be the final score in regulation, sending the game to overtime tied at 28.
Hemlock scored first in the opening frame, but they failed to convert their try. After Lucionno Finley powered across the goal line for the equalizing score, the Vikings were able to make their extra point, giving them a 35-34 victory.
Swan Valley is now 5-4, and they sit comfortably within the Division 5 playoff bracket. Hemlock slides to 5-4 with this defeat. The Huskies also are safely within the playoff bubble. Both teams will learn their opponents on Sunday.
