For the first time since 2023, the Gibraltar Vikings earned a win in front of its home fans, topping Gillett 52-14 in their homecoming game on Friday night.
It looked like it was going to be a track meet early with the Vikings' Parker Gallant and Sean Neal exchanging their long touchdown runs with one from the Tigers' Jedric Herzog to make it 13-8 early. While the Vikings were able to stunt the Tigers' offense thanks to two big plays in the backfield by Jake Larson, the Vikings kept paying the endzone visits with two more touchdown runs from Gallant on either side of a Giovanni Mercier scramble for a score to make it 33-8 at the break.
The second half got off to an ominous start with the Vikings punting twice and Clayton Borremans finding the endzone to shrink the Tigers' deficit to 33-14. The Vikings would score their final three possessions of the game with Neal registering a 70-plus yard touchdown run and a 27-yard field goal before Bolivian exchange student and newly minted homecoming king Leo Canudas Castro stutter-stepped his way into the endzone for the final touchdown of the game.
Head coach Mike Peck praised the response he received from his team this week, especially along the line, where they have had to shuffle things around due to injuries to Xavier Gaddes and Wyatt Bultman.
The Vikings will play their final road game of the season next Friday when they travel to Suring. Tim Kowols will have the call on 105.1 The GOAT and NEWRadio Sports Network.
