Christopher’s defense had everything under control late in the fourth quarter, but North Salinas struck gold on a 42-yard play to give the visiting team a 28-24 win.
Christopher (1-7, 0-3) had North Salinas where they wanted them: the Vikings were facing a fourth-and-20 from the Cougars’ 42-yard line. It took a perfect throw and a perfect catch, not only to make it to the first-down marker, but to score the go-ahead touchdown.
Timothy Burkhardt found Isaiah Guerra on man-to-man coverage against Noah Liberatore running down the left sideline. Both players seem to have a hand on the ball, but Burkhardt came down with it as he fell in the end zone.
“North Salinas came out with the win because they got stuff done in the fourth quarter,” quarterback Ryan Adamkiewicz said.
The Cougars’ defense controlled the Vikings for the majority of the game. They limited the running game to 75 yards. They also limited the air attack but did allowed big plays, which was the difference in the game. Three of the four touchdowns the defense allowed were on a play of 20 or more yards.
“I think the kids played very well defensively,” coach Tim Pierleoni said. “We just have to put some more points on the board when we have the chance offensively.”
The offense was battling the same problems they have been all season; turn overs in key moments.
In the second quarter, Christopher had the ball inside the 10-yard line on a third-and-3. Adamkiewicz scrambled trying to get the first down, but as he got tackled near the 9-yard line he fumbled the ball and the Vikings fell on it stopping a 34-yard drive.
In the fourth quarter Christopher’s defense and a bad punt gave the Cougars great field position on the Vikings’ 25-yard line. Christopher faced a third-and-3, but could not take advantage as Adamkiewicz was picked-off in the end zone.
“We had two touchdown passes dropped (and) threw an interception in the end zone. We can’t win when you do stuff like that,” coach Pierleoni said.
Adamkiewicz finished with 154 passing yards, a fumble, and an interception.
It all seemed too familiar for the fans watching the game enduring the slight rain.
The game seemed to be slipping away until Alex Andrade got a hand on a pitchout. He recovered the ball near midfield and outran everybody to the end zone to give Christopher a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter.
With the lead, the defense was determined to give the Cougars their second win of the season. On the next possession, the Vikings moved the ball 43 yards in five plays to Christopher’s 24-yard line, then they ran into a wall. Burkhardt got sacked in three consecutive plays forcing a punt.
The Vikings, however, came up with the big plays when they needed them the most. They came out to the second half down 17-7. On their second drive, the Vikings took advantage of a short punt by the Cougars that placed them on Christopher’s 20-yard line and scored on a 10-yard pass to running back Erik Delgadillo to get within three.
North Salinas’ defense then forced a three and out to give the ball back to its offense.
The very next offensive play, Burkhardt found Eric Ortega for a 48-yard pass to take the lead 21-17.
“It was a great game. I thought the kids put on a great show,” coach Pierleoni said. “I was excited for us to score some points and move the ball offensively.”
Christopher will try to get the elusive second win against Alvarez next Friday in Salinas.
