**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**
**PHOTO CREDIT: JAIME LYN HARKNESS**
Tri-County Resilient in win Over Reed City
After a big opening week win over Comstock Park, the Tri-County Vikings would have another big test facing them in week two. The Vikings would head over to Reed City to take on a Coyotes program that has made the playoffs in the last thirteen seasons. For a program that is on the rise, the Vikings now expect to play with the teams of that quality this season. This one would not end in disappointment for them.
Both defenses were tough early on. With just 1:48 remaining in the opening quarter, the Coyotes would strike when Max Hammond would break free and take one in all the way from 70-yards out. This would give Reed City a 6-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Reed City would find their way to the endzone again. This time Hammond would take one in from 5-yards out. A successful two-point run from Landen Jackson would give the Coyotes a 14-0 advantage. The Vikings would respond in a big way. With just seconds remaining in the half they would finally put some much needed points on the board. Owen Behrenwald would find space from 13-yards away. Tri-County would trail at the half, 14-6, but they had some life and momentum.
The Vikings made sure they would be heard just a few minutes into the third when Sophomore Cade Hallman punched it in from 1-yard away. The two-point run from fellow Sophomore Chase Keller would then make this a brand new game. We were tied at 14-14. Reed City would make sure that would be for not. On the very next drive, Hammond would find his way in for his third score of the night on a 61-yard burst. Coyotes back on top, 20-14. But we weren’t quite finished in the quarter. The Vikings would then grab their first lead of the night when Behrenwald found some space and would take it all the way in on a 30-yard touchdown scamper. Tri-County would hold a slim 22-20 lead headed into the final quarter of play.
Owen Behrenwald had himself a night. The Senior signal caller would give his team some more room when he connected with Jayden Button on a 14-yard touchdown pass. That would be all that the Vikings would need as they pull off a thrilling victory over a very good Reed City team. Tri-County takes this one, 28-20.
Reed City will start the season at 0-2, something their program hasn’t seen since 2005. They’ll look to rebound when they take off a Chippewa Hills team that starts 2-0 on the year and is coming off an impressive win over Grant. The Warriors were able to cruise in that one, 43-13.
This was just week two but you could not ask for a better start to the 2023 season for the Vikings. They will start 2-0 and showed some big time toughness against the Coyotes. A team that is mixed with experience and some youthful talent, it’s a team that will be one to watch throughout the season. They’ll welcome in the aforementioned Grant in week three.
