Lloydminster Chargers QB Joseph Kelly braced for impact after being sacked by the Lloydminster Vikings on Saturday at Holy Rosary High School. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos
The Lloydminster Vikings are off to the Wheatland Bantam Football League semi finals against Bonnyville this weekend after beating the Chargers 54-0 in league quarter final action.
The Vikings and Chargers took the field at Holy Rosary High School on Saturday for what Vikings coach Jason Benjamin referred to as the culmination of a season of hard work.
“The kids have really stepped up the last couple weeks. They’re giving it everything every practice and every game; this win is on them, they’re playing well,” he said after the win.
Saturday’s game saw a TD catch for Cooper Benjamin, Kostas Mavridis had a catch for a touchdown and a rushing touchdown, Ashton Hansen had a catch for a TD, and Kashton Brust absolutely lit up the scoreboard with four TD receptions.
The Vikings’ defense also had two sacks for touchbacks for an additional four points.
“Kashton Brust is one of our inside receivers and had four touch downs today; he’s bought in to what we’re selling, and it shows, he’s stepped up,” explained Benjamin.
“On offensive, I don’t think we had a player that disappointed anyone today, they all did really well.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Benjamin explained the team started the year struggling to stop teams on D, but with back-to-back shutouts, that doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore.
“On D, I think our beast player is Kole Carr,” said Benjamin.
“He’s right in the middle, he’s a big kid, he’s strong, he really makes things happen, and he was our player of the week last weekend.”
Mavridis, who’s a running back and linebacker, felt he had a good game but was quick to point out he has room to improve.
“I felt good but definitely think I could have played harder,” he said.
Mavridis echoed Benjamin when asked how the team has grown throughout the short season, noting it’s nice to see their hard work pay off.
“This season started off a little rocky, but once the team started communicating better, we got much stronger as a team; we have high hopes for making it to provincials,” he said.
“We communicate on and off of the field, and we’ve really built a strong bond throughout the year; it’s almost like we’re a family.”
Going into this weekend’s game against Bonnyville, Mavridis thinks if the boys give it 110 per cent they’ll be able to drive them back and take the win.
