By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Finishing third in the Metro League, the Rainier Beach Vikings are out to prove that they are a team that should not be overlooked as this year’s 3A state football tournament continues. With a thriving offense led by running back Scottre Humphrey and a defense that’s allowed only 17 points per game, Rainier Beach faced what many believed to be a tough challenge against a Mountain View team, who came into the game averaging 28 points per game, in the qualifying round for the state playoffs.
Defensively, the Vikings set the tone early as they stifled the Mountain View offense and held them scoreless during the first half.
The Vikings defense helped fuel their offense, as Humphrey, who committed to Montana State earlier this season, showed why he is one of the best running backs in the state. Humphrey would start things off with a 50-yard touchdown run to give Rainier Beach a 7-0 lead, and from that moment the Vikings offense could not be stopped. Humphrey continued to single-handedly dominate the Mountain View defense, as he followed up with a nine-yard touchdown run and caught a screen pass for a touchdown as time expired before halftime.
“We always want to establish the run no matter what,” Humphrey said, “Then come up and throw over the top of their heads, it’s very special.”
Clicking on all cylinders, Rainier Beach did just that, which resulted in them opening up a 24-0 lead heading into the second half.
Defensively, the Vikings were just as impressive if not more so than their offense. Jamil Beleford and Marcell Burns would both record interceptions on Mountain View quarterback Mitch Johnson passes, Dallas Afalava was able to get in the backfield and record three sacks, and Rainier Beach’s defense was able force many quick three-and-outs and turnovers on downs.
Mountain View did have some success despite Rainier Beach’s aggressiveness of defense. Mitch Johnson scored the Thunder’s lone touchdown on a one-yard run and passed for 207 yards. Mountain View’s Kyle Chen caught five passes for 77 yards, and Jacob Martin contributed six catches for 62 yards. But this was not enough to keep up with the Vikings’ defensive goal-line stops.
Rainer Beach finished the game with 441 total yards on offense, with Humphrey leading the way with 197 yards and three touchdowns. With the win, Rainier Beach improves to 7-2 and advances to the next round of the playoffs to take on Kennewick.
