By Macerio Clark
The Seattle Medium
Looking to avoid a three-game losing streak, the Rainier Beach Vikings focused their attention towards their cross-town rivals – the Garfield Bulldogs. Rainier Beach came out with a sense of urgency scoring on its opening drive, doing so in 9 play, 53 yard drive that was highlighted by quarterback Trey Morris completing a 23-yard pass to receiver Samol Sok to give Rainier Beach a first and goal at the Garfield 6-yard line. Two plays later running back Xavier Burton rushed for a 6-yard touchdown giving the Vikings a 6-0 lead with 5:36 remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings’ defense would come to life in the second quarter, as Garfield wide receiver Quinton Jordan fumbled the ball and Rainier Beach recovered it at the Bulldogs’ 39-yard line. Rainier Beach took full advantage of its excellent field position with running back Xavier Burton exploding through the Bulldogs’ defense for a 37-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings a 12-0 lead.
The Bulldogs would struggle to answer the surging Vikings as they ended their next drive in a four and out. Following Garfield’s four and out, the Vikings kept their foot on the gas scoring on a 7 play, 60 yard drive capped off by Morris completing a 18-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ja’mezz Johnson extending Rainier Beach’s lead 18-0.
Trailing 18-0 in the second quarter and trying to overcome injuries to players at key positions, the Bulldogs looked to 5-star linebacker Sav’ell Smalls to play quarterback. The following Garfield drive would end in a four play, 9-yard drive giving the Vikings tremendous field position as they took over the ball at Garfield’s 46-yard line.
“The quarterback went out. Our backup is hurt, so were playing our fourth and fifth team quarterback so at that point you’re just trying to figure it out,” said Garfield head coach Joey Thomas, about his team’s personnel adjustments during the game.
The motivated Vikings would once again take advantage of the field position as Morris rushes for a 2-yard touchdown capping off a 10 play, 94 yard drive to extend the Vikings lead 24-0 with 12 seconds remaining in the half.
During the fourth quarter, the Vikings would put the finishing touches on the game as they scored on an 18-yard touchdown run and forced the Bulldogs into a safety making the final score 33-0 Rainier Beach.
Morris, who started his first game for Rainier Beach, was not phased by the pressure of playing in a big game and helping Rainier Beach end their two-game losing streak.
“We got a battle,” said Morris after the game. “We’re going to face adversity, but we have to fight hard the whole game – all four quarters.”
The importance of the homecoming game was huge for Coach Sampson as the Vikings were in danger of falling under .500 for the first time in four years and having to face the 2017 state champion O’Dea Fighting Irish in their next game.
“It feels good beating a rival on senior night and going out on top,” said Sampson. “Now we have the 24-hour rule and get ready for O’Dea.”
Garfield (2-3, 1-2) will play Bishop Blanchet next Fri. Oct. 12 7:00 p.m. at Bishop Blanchet High School at 7:00 p.m. Rainier Beach (3-2, 1-2) will travel to West Seattle Stadium to face the O’Dea Fighting on Fri., Oct. 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Pictorial Highlights Of Rainier Beach vs Garfield
