Hollister Vikings Advance All the Way to National Championship
Game
The dream conclusion to their season a tantalizing possibility, the Hollister Pee Wee Vikings took the field at Walt Disney World’s All Star Sports Complex with the chance to become national champions.
But the Vikings couldn’t solve the strong defense of the Lihue (HI) Patriots and fell 14-0 in the Division II Pee Wee National Championship on Friday.
“We played solid, solid defense throughout the game,” said Vikings head coach Larry Murphy, “[but] we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities in the first half.”
Hollister (14-2) advanced the ball within Lihue’s 12-yard line three times in the first half, but failed to find the end zone.
Fortunately for the Vikings, their defense proved as stingy as that of the Patriots until late in the contest, but Lihue finally got on the board with a touchdown on a quarterback sneak with five minutes remaining.
The tiring Vikings were intercepted in the waning minutes, a turnover that the Patriots used to post an insurance touchdown.
“Even though we didn’t win,” said Murphy, “it was a really good feeling. I’m just proud of how we had the opportunity as players and coaches to even make it to that point.”
The championship game was a defensive struggle from the outset. Lihue intercepted Hollister’s first pass, but the Vikings immediately showed their resolve. Jared Lantis stopped a Patriots’ quarterback sneak to force a turnover on downs.
The Vikings mounted an effective drive on the strength of runs by Adolfo Davila and Nathan Castro, but Lihue’s defense shut them down at the 12-yard line.
Once Hollister got the ball back, quarterback Tyler Decker connected with Lantis to give the Vikings a first-and-goal at the Patriots’ three-yard line, but Lihue’s defense allowed just one yard over the next four plays.
The Vikings had one more opportunity as they retook possession at the Patriots’ eight-yard line with 12 seconds left in the half, but Lihue successfully defended two pass plays to keep the game scoreless.
Hollister’s Isaac Navarette broke up a pass deep in Vikings’ territory to stop the Patriots’ longest drive early in the second half.
But the Vikings’ offense was matched against an equally tough Lihue defense. The Patriots completely blanketed Hollister, forcing three consecutive three-and-outs.
Ultimately, Lihue broke through the Vikings’ defense, marching 60 yards to break the deadlock.
“This opportunity was a really good experience,” said Murphy of playing for the national championship. “It’s been a very good year; a great team effort.”
Murphy also commended the considerable support network that makes Hollister’s entire Pop Warner program a success.
“The community does a great job,” said Murphy. “We can’t do a lot of the things that we do without this community. It helps us out a lot.”
Hollister’s Midget cheerleaders also competed in Orlando. The Vikings finished 13th in the large intermediate division of the national cheerleading competition.
