CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park football delivered a thrilling 14-10 home-standing win over the Carthage Firebirds as the Vikings' defense stole the spotlight with two interceptions, including a pick-six by sophomore linebacker DJ Johnson. North Park ends a four-game skid and improves to 3-5 overall and 2-5 in CCIW play.
Carthage struck first early in the second quarter when kicker Mugdim Kreho connected on a 29-yard field goal following a sustained nine-play drive. North Park answered just minutes later with a defensive gem on Carthage's next possession, when Easton Heafner's pass was intercepted by DJ Johnson, who took it back 59 yards to the end zone to give the Vikings a 7–3 lead after the Drayden Wilcox extra point.
The Firebirds regained the lead just before halftime when Heafner found receiver Gavin Betts for an 11-yard touchdown, capping a short three-play, 36-yard drive set up by a Vikings' turnover. Kreho's PAT made it 10–7 at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Vikings mounted an impressive 92-yard drive late in the fourth after struggling most of the game to find a rhythm offensively. Freshman quarterback Carson Lewis, in his first home start, showcased poise under pressure completing several key throws to march the Vikings down the field. Arguably the most important throw was when Lewis scrambled to his left on 4th and 2 where he found senior receiver Wesley McCloud in the middle of the field wide open, allowing McCloud to take it for 58 yards down to the 3-yard line.
This set up a Micah Catron touchdown, leaping over his defender, to take the 14-10 lead with 1:55 remaining in the game.
The North Park defense then held strong, stopping Carthage on 4th down near midfield as sophomore linebacker Jaysen Perez notched the game sealing sack on the Firebirds' quarterback.
Lewis finished 11-of-21 passing for 122 yards and one touchdown, while McCloud led all Viking receivers with three catches for 88 yards. On the ground, senior receiver Jereme Ombogo added 32 rushing yards and senior running back Kalen Riley-Richardson contributed 24 yards on eight carries. Defensively, the Vikings were anchored by defensive backs Vince Lenzy and Darrius Whiters, who each tallied eight total tackles. Defensive lineman Isaac Chandler and linebackers Theo Smith and Jaysen Perez each recorded sacks, combining for 20 yards lost, while linebacker Armando Martinez and safety Ben Butler added five and seven tackles, respectively. The Vikings' defense totaled three sacks, two interceptions, and held Carthage scoreless in second half, allowing their second lowest opponent scoring outing all season.
The Vikings will look to build on the momentum next weekend as they travel to face WashU in St. Louis, Missouri.
