The Vikings were firing on all cylanders Thursday night at Beaver Lions Stadium, as they punched their ticket to the league final in front of the home crowd. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

NBCHS football

Vikings advance to NSFL final with big win over Martensville

Oct 20, 2023 | 1:16 PM

The North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) Vikings football team took home a 22-0 victory over the Martensville Royals Thursday night, to punch their ticket to the North Sask Football League final next weekend.

With just a 1-0 Vikings lead at the end of the first half, the NBCHS offense came alive early in the second half to score on their opening drive of the third quarter, on the first of two QB sneaks for touchdowns on the night, by Grade 11 standout and third-year QB, Isaac Neufeld.

“We’ve used that play all year and it hasn’t failed us once yet, we’re probably 12-for-12 on it, so we just thought let’s keep going for it and it worked out every time,” he said postgame.

“It was all around a great team effort, the defense played lights out with zero points allowed and the offense was a little rough in the first half, but second half we got it going and it just started to click every play.”

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The Vikings’ third touchdown of the night, which sealed the game was scored on a pinpoint pass to the back of the end zone for a 12-yard score, caught over the shoulder by Grade 10 first-year slotback, Jett Rose.

“I kind of saw some open field and then I saw Isaac run out of the pocket…I saw the ball coming in and then it was in my hands,” he recalled of being in the moment. “I’m just happy our seniors get to keep on playing and I’m happy that our starters stepped up.”

Asked about the atmosphere at Beaver Lions Stadium for the team’s second home playoff game since 1995, Rose couldn’t help but let out a smile, looking out at the crowd cheering with bells and horns postgame.

“It felt great, I felt like they fueled us a lot out there,” he said, as his eyes lit up.

Also instrumental to the Vikings’ offense on the night was Grade 12 running back, Levi Koenig, who led all players in total yards rushing (193) and receiving (59) in the victory.

On the defensive end of things, the Vikings again saw an all-out team effort, led by their veterans.

Senior defensive back, Nicholas Prescesky recorded five tackles and was one of two players – along with fellow Grade 12 veteran Dylan Geddes – to force fumbles on the defensive side of the ball for the Vikings, knocking the pigskin loose on the Royals’ final drive late in the game to solidify the win.

Talking with battlefordsNOW postgame, Prescesky was all gratitude, as he soaked in the moment.

“It just feels so great, man… there’s no other way to describe it,” he said, with a mix of jubilation and exhaustion. “It’s honestly my first playoff game, I’ve been battling injuries my whole career and it’s just great to win one. I’m excited for next week against P.A.”

In the other semi-finals matchup Thursday night, the fourth-seeded P.A. St. Mary’s team topped top-seeded P.A. Carlton 32-28 to advance to the finals as well.

The Vikings will host St. Mary High School from Prince Albert for the North Sask Football League final next Saturday, Oct. 28 at Beaver Lions Stadium in North Battleford. The start time for the championship game will be announced in the coming days.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1