For the first time since October 2023, the Gibraltar Vikings walked off the field as victors after beating Florence 49-20 Thursday night on the road.
For the second straight week, Sean Neal kicked off the Vikings' scoring with a long, 50+ yard run, only to have it matched on the next possession on an Ely Marefke touchdown run. Trailing 8-6, Giovanni Mercier ended three drives with rushing touchdowns, one of which was from over 20 yards out as he bounced off defenders. A long touchdown pass from Luke Deterville to Mason Koski capped off the half with the Vikings holding a 28-14 advantage.
The second half began on a high note with Bairen Lhost cruising to the endzone on an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The two teams struggled to hold the ball with consecutive lost fumbles before Koski hooked up with Deterville to cut the lead again. The Vikings answered with two consecutive scoring drives, capped off by a rushing and receiving touchdown by Parker Gallant.
The Vikings will now prepare to face Algoma, which lost to Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday, 24-0 on the road. Tim Kowols will have coverage of the game on 105.1. The GOAT will begin at 6:45 p.m., with the pregame show followed by the opening kickoff at 7 p.m.
