PICTURED: Jace Bankord
Facing one of its stiffest challenges thus far without a few key starters, North Park stood up to No. 6 nationally-ranked North Central College and came away with a positive result.
Although the Vikings fell 35-14 to the visiting Cardinals, they held NCC to only one touchdown in the second half all while snaring an early advantage with an unorthodox play.
On the opening kickoff, the Cardinals' special teams misplayed the ball and allowed it to roll into the end zone. After little confusion from the hosts, Vikings' senior Mike Harris picked up the ball for a touchdown much to the delight of NPU crowd. North Central responded with a game-tying score six minutes later and then moved ahead 14-7 early in the second quarter, but North Park tied the game when an eight-play, 40-yard drive culminated in an Enrique Menendez 3-yard touchdown run with 8:19 left in the period.
Saturday's game also marked the starting debut of Vikings' sophomore quarterback Jace Bankord, who completed 15 of his 24 passes for 117 yards. Menendez was also a beast on the ground as he garnered 25 carries for 77 yards and Kadarius Daniels had four catches for 42 yards.
Junior Chaun Maiava turned in another solid performance on the defensive end for NP as well as he recorded 10 tackles, while Nick French added nine. Both Maiava and Stephen Maifea each had a sack for two yards while Maiava and Matthew Haire both forced fumbles.
North Park (1-5, 0-4) looks to rebound when it returns to action Oct. 22 at Wheaton College for a 6 p.m. contest.
