It was billed as the biggest game of the year as undefeated WEMO powerhouses Midway and Adrian hooked up Friday night in Adrian. The matchup turned into a mismatch as the Vikings sailed to a 24-0 victory and clinched at least a tie of the conference crown.
The Vikings 24 points was not only the most allowed by Adrian in a game this year, it was more than the Blackhawks had given up in the previous six weeks combined. And the Vikings were equally dominate on the defensive side of the ball blanking an Adrian team which was averaging 43 points per game on the season.
“Our defense played great and our offense scored 24 on a team that had only given up 18 points in the first six games,” Midway coach Larry Burchett said.
The Vikings led 7-0 at halftime with the lone first-half touchdown coming on a two-yard run by senior running back Xavier Mendoza. Junior Jordan Gifford added the point after.
The third quarter was scoreless until the 3:41 mark when sophomore running back Cole Young plunged in from the one with Gifford adding the PAT.
On Adrian’s next possession Midway freshman linebacker Payton Adams recovered a fumble and just 1:11 after the touchdown, Gifford added three more points to the Midway total with a 40-yard field goal.
The final score came midway through the final quarter when senior quarterback Josh Yahnig connected on a 19-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Dawson Driggs. Gifford’s PAT was the final point of the night.
The Vikings rolled up 248 yards of offense while holding Midway to 162 total yards. The Vikings also recovered two Adrian fumbles and intercepted one pass.
Burchett mentioned a number of players for their contributions on the defensive side of the ball. Mendoza and Colton Dean had 11 tackles each to lead the defense. Johnnie Humbird had eight tackles, an interception and a forced fumble while Young had three tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.
Peyton Adams had a fumble recovery while Ike Riggs had 10 tackles, Mayson Adams, six tackles and Dawson Driggs seven tackles and three sacks.
On the offensive side of the ball Yahnig was 14-of-24 passing for 143 yards and one touchdown. Driggs was the leading receiver with four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. McCoy Eberle had three catches for 39 yards, Mendoza caught five for 34 yards and Adams had two for 24 yards.
Jacob Schwartz was the leading rusher with nine carries for 33 yards, followed by Yahnig with five carries for 29 yards, Mendoza had 19 yards on five carries and Adams had three carries for eight yards.
The Vikings conference title is the seventh in the past eight years.
Tomorrow night the Vikings will celebrate homecoming by playing host to the Appleton City Bulldogs, who bring a 3-4 record into the game.
Burchett said his team can’t afford to let down now.
“Defensively, we will have to be ready as they can run and throw effectively,” Burchett said.
Get more stories like this delivered weekly! Subscribe today!
