Football Season

    

This is Grayson's second year playing football with Janesville's Youth Football League. He couldn't wait to get back on the field. He was a bit uneasy though, when he found out he had been drafted by the Vikings. Not sure if he was more concerned that he would be playing for the Packers' NFC North rival, or if it was because he would be wearing purple! 

He has played a few different positions during practice, but for now he's playing center while he's on offense and either linebacker or defensive end on defense. 

The Vikings had a four-team scrimmage, providing an opportunity to see some of their competition as well as providing some idea of how the guys will respond in a 'game time' situation. 

Their first game was against the Lions. The Lions' players were much bigger than the Vikings and Bumpa said it looked like a 'Father - Son' game. There was one constant throughout the game...rain. We called it the 'Gustov Game.' (The remnants of Hurricane Gustov had made their way up north.) The field was like a swamp. The ball was wet, the boys were soaked, there were frequent fumbles and dozens of dropped balls. The Lions capitalized on a Vikings fumble and scored, but did not make their extra point attempt. Eventually, the Vikings ran for a touchdown and their extra point attempt was GOOD! That made the difference in the final score. Vikings 7, Lions 6. Mark down that purple "W!"

The second game was against the Cardinals. They, too, were BIG. They had two guys that were about 5' 9". This is 6th & 7th grade! One of the Cardinal dad's bragged that their team had scored four touchdowns in the first half of their first game. The Vikings worked their way down the field in the first quarter and scored, twice! Then, time after time, the defense stopped the Cardinals from scoring. They did it! The Vikings scored again in the fourth quarter and were very happy when time ran out and the refs blew the whistles, GAME OVER! Vikings 18, Cardinals 0! Mark down that purple "W!"

The Vikings third game was against the Saints. The Vikings recovered two fumbles in the game and intercepted a pass in the first half which led to the Vikings lone touchdown. A forced fumble on a Saints fourth-and-eight at the 10-yard line with 34 seconds to go sealed the third win for the Vikings. Vikings 6, Saints 0.

The next game was against the Eagles. The Vikings scored a passing touchdown (Plutchak to Reynolds), but missed their extra point. The Eagles eventually scored and converted. That was the difference in the game. Saints 7, Vikings 6. The Vikings suffered their first loss and DID NOT like the feeling.

The Vikings came back BIG against the Bears two days later. The Vikings scored twice in the first half and once again in the second have, while giving up a touchdown late in the game. When the whistle blew the score was Vikings 19, Bears 6. 

The Vikings entered their game with the Buccaneers with a record of 5-1. They knew the Bucs were a big, tough team. Again, the Vikings defense came up big and held the Bucs from scoring at the end of the game. Vikings 12, Buccaneers 9. Vikings move to a record of 6-1!

Then came the Redskins. They handed the Vikings their second loss 18-8 making their record for the season 6-2.