Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The playoffs approach and a path exists for Garfield-Palouse to get there with the No. 3 spot from the Southeast 1B league.
If the Vikings (3-4 overall, 2-3 league) beat Sunnyside Christian at home Friday and Colton beats Pomeroy, the scenario stays engaged. Then, if the Vikings win at Colton Nov. 5 they're in for a three-way tie for third to be resolved in postseason play.
If any of this scenario goes the other way, the Vikings' season will conclude.
Garfield-Palouse played at Pomeroy Oct. 23 and went down 42-20.
Trailing 20-0 at halftime, the Vikings marched downfield as the third quarter opened and Cameron Springstead scored on a seven-yard run.
The Vikings soon scored again, using the same play, this time a 10-yard run from Springstead to make it 26-12 midway through the third quarter.
The Pirates answered for 26-12 before, entering the fourth quarter, Gar-Pal lost a fumble.
Pomeroy capitalized, building their lead to 34-12.
On the ensuring kickoff, Ian Niebergs ran it back for a 65-yard touchdown – if it was in a straight line – and 34-20.
“It was a great runback,” said Vikings coach Will Woltering. “He meandered his way through everybody.”
Garfield-Palouse soon lost another fumble, and Pomeroy sealed the game with another touchdown and two-point conversion.
Springstead led the Vikings with 145 yards rushing on 24 carries. Quarterback Evan Weaggraff added 80 yards on the ground.
On defense, Niebergs led the team in tackles.
“Our defense played pretty tough,” said Woltering, citing the play of Niebergs, a linebacker, and noseguard Mason Bates.
For Pomeroy, Cade Gingerich led his team with 165 yards rushing on 20 carries.
“They're a good team,” Woltering said. “We could beat them, but they were the better team that night.”
Going into this week's contest with Sunnyside Christian, the team has practiced without Weaggraff, who is in Indianapolis at the National FFA Convention.
He'll return Thursday night.
Friday's game is senior night for the Vikings, and kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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