RIPON, Wis. -- The 2025 season is officially underway as the Vikings faced off against the Red Hawks of Ripon College, their week 1 opponent from last season.  Ripon received the ball to start the game, and the North Park defense notched their first three-and-out right away. 

Senior quarterback and the Viking offense took the field but got off to a start that was not what North Park had in mind – a throw interception by Green on their first offensive play of the season.  With the Red Hawks starting their second possession at midfield, the Vikings defense held firm once more forcing another three-and-out that led to an explosive return from fifth year senior receiver Jereme Ombogo. 

The offense's second possession was exactly the opposite of the first, scoring on just the second play as Green found Ombogo for a receiver screen that he took 43 yards to the house for the game's first score.  After the extra point from freshman kicker Drayden Wilcox, the Vikings had 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. 

North Park's defense was everywhere during the opening quarter of this game, having multiple players making tackles and having a nose for the ball.  Junior defensive back Amare Johnson had a great pass breakup on a deep ball down the sideline while senior defensive back Samuel Aguirre intercepted another deep ball, giving the offense another shot. 

Just before the end of the first quarter, after a special teams mishap that gave the Red Hawks the ball at the North Park 10-yard line, Aguirre came up with his second interception of the game as quarterback Jack Berens threw a fade towards the endzone.  The Viking offense took over at their own 1-yard line since Aguirre caught the ball just in front of the endzone before going out of bounds, so there was no touchback to give the offense room to operate.  A scary first play from the 1-yard line almost resulted in a safety, however the first play of the second quarter saw Green launch the ball from the endzone to Omogo who made a spectacular catch in double coverage, only to break both tackles and take it all the way for a 98-yard touchdown for a 14-0 lead. 

With the defense pitching a first half shut out, the Vikings offense took over with just over four minutes left in the second quarter.  Big runs from the running back room that features senior Kalen Riley-Richardson and sophomore Aidan Delisi set up good field position for Green and Ombogo to connect for their third touchdown of the half to put the Vikings up 21-0 before half.

In his first start, Justen Green ended the first half with an impressive 9/16, 255 passing yards, and 3 touchdowns.  His connection with Ombogo, who had 5 catches, 193 yards, and 3 touchdowns, proved to be a seamless transition from the connection that Ombogo had with former quarterback Matt Eck. 

Senior receiver Wesley McCloud, who caught two passes in the first half, got even more involved when he took the opening second half kickoff 96 yards for the Vikings' fourth score of the game taking a 28-0 lead.  As the Red Hawks seemed to finally get a drive together, senior defensive lineman Isaac Chandler screamed into the backfield where his tackle on the running back caused a fumble.  Senior safety Ben Butler scooped the ball up and ran it back for what looked like a touchdown, however it was called back due to an unsportsmanlike penalty.  Nevertheless, the offense obtained the ball but proceeded to go three-and-out, having to punt the ball away.  That next drive as the Red Hawks drove down the field, a 35-yard touchdown from Beren to receiver Ryan Clayborn ended the 3rd quarter to give Ripon their first score of the game to make it 28-7.

Just a few plays into the fourth quarter, after a good return from McCloud, Green found senior receiver Micah Catron ripping down the left sideline for a 56-yard touchdown on third down to extend the Viking lead back up to 28 points with a score of 35-7.  In response, Ripon drives right back down the field for a second consecutive touchdown between Beren and Clayborn, cutting the North Park lead back down to 21 at 35-13.

Beren and Clayborn connected for their third consecutive touchdown down the stretch cutting the Viking lead down to 16 at 35-19.  The Red Hawks attempted an onside kick that didn't go there way; however, their defense forced the Vikings to punt for the offense to get another chance at cutting the lead down to a one score game.  The North Park defense held firm as they forced a turnover on downs from the Red Hawks, which allowed the Vikings offense to come on the field and run the best play in football: victory formation. 

What's Next?

The Vikings move to 1-0 to start the season before heading into their early bye week next week.  Their next game will fall on Saturday, September 20th in Decatur, Illinois when they take on conference foe Millikin University (1-0, 0-0).