Article by Josh Longstreth
After winning two in a row, the Swan Valley Vikings took a step back in week five. Swan Valley had a rude awakening as they fell to dominate Frankenmuth, 14-50. This week, the Vikings would find themselves in a battle before showing their will.
Swan Valley would pick up the first momentum of the night about midway through the opening quarter. A 15-yard touchdown pass from Colton Klein to Johnathan Meyette would give the Vikings a 6-0 lead. That, along with a big defensive performance in the first quarter, Swan Valley would hold that same lead after one.
John Glenn would get off to a solid start in the second as they would grab an early score after a 26-yard passing touchdown from Garrett Buzzard to Colten Beson. It would give the Bobcats a 7-6 advantage. The Vikings would bounce right back shortly after. This time a 9-yard rushing touchdown from Joey Miller would give Swan Valley the lead and they would up it to 14-7 after a good two-point try. This one showed the signs early, and it was beginning to come to fruition. John Glenn would find their way in the endzone on a 27-yard touchdown connection from Connor Greer to freshman Brady Boyk and it appeared we were in for a ‘barn burner’ as the two teams went into the half tied at 14-apiece.
The Vikings would strike early to begin the third quarter as they found a 61-yard pass connection as this time Meyette would throw one of his own to Issac Beougher This would make it a 20-14 Swan Valley advantage. You guessed it. Right back comes up the Bobcats. This time, a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Greer would give John Glenn the momentum back as they took a 21-20 lead. That’s where things would stand after three.
What a fourth quarter we would have on our hands in this one. The Bobcats would strike again early after a 7-yard touchdown run from Logan DeMarest . The Vikings, with their backs up against the wall, would not be denied for long. Klein would make his way into the endzone via the ground on a 2-yard plunge. The two-point try would be good and Swan Valley had the lead right back, 28-27. Midway through the quarter the Vikings finally broke the Bobcats. Klein would find Cal DeLisle from 38-yards out. It would be all Swan Valley would need the rest of the way. They go on to take this one, 34-27.
John Glenn had some things going offensively but just fell apart late. They would put up their biggest point total in the loss. In the end, they will move to 1-5 on the year but will have a chance to bounce back against Bridgeport next week. After winning the first game of the year, the Bearcats have now dropped 5 in a row.
This was a big win for Swan Valley as they get to 3-3 on the season. They’ll enjoy it but will have to get right back in the mindset of taking the next one as they face an Alma team that is coming off an impressive offensive performance on Friday night. The Panthers sit at 2-4 on the season. The Panthers have not beaten the Vikings since 2016.
