Smallest Viking makes biggest impact

By BOB PUTNAM
Published October 13, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - The stars always come out and sparkle the brightest in big district games.

A star-studded Northeast team was the main attraction and the few fans watching anticipated that the Vikings, particularly their offense, would reign supreme over Bradenton Bayshore.

Not quite. Yes, Jeff Brinson rushed for more than 100 yards and scored three touchdowns. Sure, Armando Sanchez threw a 65-yard touchdown.

But the brilliance in Northeast's 35-28 victory was produced by unlikely hero Joel Elliott, who weighs 129 pounds and wondered if he was too small to play varsity.

With a key interception in the second half, Elliott, the biggest and brightest star of this game, led the Vikings (6-1, 3-0) to a victory that was not as easy it sounds.

It was full of big plays and hard hits and plenty of Elliott.

"For a while we were hurting," Elliott said. "But there's something about this team. We always find a way to dig deep."

Though the defense was disappointed in giving up 28 points, there was no problem. For it was the defense that simply went out and won the game. And Elliott was the star of the defense.

With his team trailing 21-13 at the half, Elliott picked off a pass early in the third quarter and raced 31 yards for a touchdown. Brinson ran in a two-point conversion to tie the score.

"The ball was right there and I knew I couldn't drop it," said Elliott, a senior who also a caught a touchdown pass in the first half.

That gave Northeast the boost it needed. Bayshore fumbled on its next possession and the Vikings recovered. Three plays later, Brinson scored on a 22-yard run to put Northeast ahead for good.

"Elliott gave us what we needed," Vikings coach Jerry Austin said. "I said at the half we needed to go out and make a play and that's what he did."

[Last modified October 13, 2006, 01:29:31]