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Vikings' season at stake

Tonight against undefeated Class 5A, District 8 rival Seminole, a win locks upa district title and a playoff berth for Northeast. A loss could end its season.

By BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 25, 2002

Given the district implications, Northeast knew before the season that tonight's game against visiting Seminole would be important.

But the Vikings never could have imagined it would be essential to their playoff hopes.

If Northeast wins, it will lock up the Class 5A, District 8 title. But if the Vikings lose, their chances of getting into the postseason will depend on others.

"We've been waiting for this game for a while," quarterback Josh Harris said. "Our season is basically riding on it."

The Vikings have themselves to blame for this predicament. After opening with four straight wins, including two shutouts, Northeast committed seven turnovers and lost 33-14 to district foe Boca Ciega three weeks ago.

"We never lost to Boca Ciega before and that hit us hard," receiver Dominique Flower said. "It's something we didn't expect, but now we know what it's like to lose."

Motivated, the Vikings have won their past two games.

"Since then, we've really come together," Flower said. "We're trying to treat every opponent the same."

It would be understandable if Northeast gave a little more attention to the Warhawks. Seminole has not only won the past two meetings, it has done so with shutouts.

"They're a good football team and we know we're going to have to play well in all phases to win," Harris said. "It's a true test for us."

The importance of the game is not lost on the Warhawks either. Seminole is 7-0 and can claim its third straight district title with a victory.

"We still have another district game to go, but we know this is a big one," Warhawks coach Sam Roper said. "Northeast has their backs against the wall and we have to be ready for that. I don't think the kids will take them lightly, though, because they want to keep their win streak going."

The Warhawks have cruised behind an offensive line that averages 240 pounds and has helped Joey Fabrizio rush for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"We're the people who pave the way," Seminole center Kyle Sand said. "Joey's gotten those yards because of us and we'll have to do well again tonight in order to win."

Behind their behemoths, the Warhawks have flattened the Vikings, rushing for six touchdowns in 2000 and going on a 12-play, 93-yard drive that took 11 minutes last year.

"Seminole's huge," Northeast coach Jerry Austin said. "They have some big boys and we're just an itty-bitty team. We're minute. I was hoping we'd be big enough to bite them around the knees, but we'll have to settle for biting them around the ankles."

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