By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Led by head coach Corey Sampson, the Vikings’ of Rainier Beach hosted Mt. Tahoma to start the 2021-22 season. The 20th ranked Vikings’ and their star-studded trio of Nahmir Robinson, Jaelin Green, and Joshua Conerley, Jr. displayed great leadership and playmaking ability, which ultimately worked in their teams’ favor for all four quarters.
The Vikings’ showcased their explosive offensive weapons early as Shaki Davis opened the game with a 67-yard touchdown catch to give Rainer Beach a 7-0 lead just minutes into the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter, Nahmir Robinson exploded for a 49-yard touchdown catch expanding the Vikings’ lead to 13-0 before halftime.
Defensively, Rainier Beach was clicking on all cylinders as the Vikings’ relentless pressure made it difficult for Mt. Tahoma to find their Rhythm. Despite the deficit, Mt. Tahoma remained actively engaged defensively, deflecting passes, forcing punts and coming up with the games only interception.
In the third quarter, Mt. Tahoma came out and aggressively tried to establish their running game, but Rainier Beach’s defensive chemistry clicked at the right time and forced the T-Birds to punt. Rainier Beach’s offense started where they left off, as quarterback Chance Guadiz threw two touchdown passes in the quarter to receiver Jaelin Green, one for 86 yards and another for 30 yards, as the Vikings extended their lead to 27-0.
Despite being up 27 points, Corey Sampson’s team didn’t take their foot off the gas, especially defensively. Vikings’ linebacker Scott’Tre Humphrey and defensive tackle Dallas Afalava recorded sacks on Mt. Tahoma quarterback Derrik Mckinney on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter.
Offensively the Vikings kept the chains moving, as running back Myles Dylan scored the games’ final touchdown on a six-yard run. Once the clock hit all zero’s Rainier Beach was victorious, winning their season opener 33-0 against a well-coached Mt. Tahoma team, with a crowd full of fans and supporters.
With a dominant performance behind them, Rainier Beach looks like they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the Metro league, as they hope to climb the rankings ladder throughout the season.
