CYFL Super Bowl: 12U Washington Vikings’ defense paves way

Published 6:37 pm Saturday, November 18, 2017

The 12U Washington Vikings and Chocowinity Indians met on the field in “Choppy” Wagner Stadium for what became a defensive standoff for the 12U Super Bowl championship. The Vikings’ defense was a little bit better in the 6-0 win.

The Indians sought to break a scoreless tie early in the second quarter. They had the ball inside Washington’s 5-yard line on fourth down when Larry Ebron scooped up a fumble and took it 72 yards for a touchdown.

The defensive score was one of three turnovers forced by the Vikings’ defense and the only touchdown of the game.

Washington nearly broke through on the first play of the game. Receiver Quay Shawn Artis was uncovered, but the pass was just out of his reach. On fourth down in Chocowinity territory, Indian Jamie Corprew made the stop to force a turnover on downs.

The Indians hoped to answer Washington’s touchdown with one of their own before halftime, but the clock was working against them. Tequon Moore did all he could, carrying Chocowinity inside the Viking 10, but Perry did well to defend his end zone as time expired.

Chocowinity wasn’t too concerned. There was still an entire half to be played and it was set to receive the second-half kickoff. Moore’s return let the Indians set up just 27 yards from the end zone, but they fumbled the ball away three plays later.

As good as Washington’s defense was, Chocowinity was lights-out on that side of the ball, too. The Indians didn’t allow the Vikings any offensive touchdown and kept the game within reach.

Hunter Rowe helped spearhead a three-and-out forced by the Indians. They got the ball back just shy of midfield. They made it to the edge of the red zone, but the Vikings pushed the back and forced a turnover on downs at the 26.

Chocowinity’s defense got the ball back quickly. The Indians started at their 35 with 5:20 left to find the end zone, but Artis picked off a pass attempt on the first play. The Vikings then bled down the clock before giving the ball back to Chocowinity with less than three minutes. Gus Vansant and others combined for a sack to help force the final turnover on downs that let Washington run out the clock.