CHCIAGO, Ill. -- The Vikings (2-3, 1-3) hosted the #1 North Central Cardinals (5-0, 4-0) at the Holmgren Athletic Complex where both teams lucked out on weather, on a day that was supposed to get showers. North Park knew the task in front of them this weekend would be tough facing a nationally ranked opponent, nonetheless the #1 team in the country. However, the Vikings hold some national rank status as well, being 6th in red zone defense and 19th in blocked kicks. North Park won the toss and elected to start with the ball, trying to get the jump on the Cardinals but struggled to get anything going throughout the first half. The success they did have was through the air where senior quarterback Justen Green connected with senior receivers Micah Catron and Wesley McCloud for a combined 68 yards.
Despite a final score of 75-0, the Vikings fought hard on both sides of the ball against one of the top teams in Division III. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Armando Martinez was a standout, totaling a team-high 14 tackles (8 solo, 6 assisted), while fellow sophomore linebacker DJ Johnson followed closely with 12 (8 solo, 4 assisted) and a pass break up. Senior defensive lineman Isaac Chandler helped anchor the defensive front, with 3 tackles and a tackle for loss. Special teams play was a bright spot for North Park, however. Freshman punter Drayden Wilcox and sophomore Hugo Backing combined for 290 yards, averaging 32.1 yards, and both logging 35 yard longs. 33.4 yards. Senior receivers Jereme Ombogo and Wesley McCloud and sophomore Bryce Black provided some spark in the return game, tallying 186 total kickoff return yards with a long of 26.
Though the Vikings couldn't find the endzone against the nation's best, their defensive grit and composure against a relentless opponent reflect their steady improvement and commitment to each other throughout this season season. North Park (2–4, 1–4 CCIW) will look to rebound next weekend when they travel to face Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Illinois.
