GP Vikings even ledger on return to St. John

Garfield/Palouse was a last-minute replacement for St. John/Endicott’s homecoming game, and walked out with a last-minute upset of the home Eagles in St. John Friday.

Viking Gavin Burt intercepts a Kyle Raynor pass over Eagle Dallas Schluneger in the St. John/Endicott end zone just before halftime in GP’s 12-8 win Friday night.

With less than two minutes remaining, Viking tailback JB Lange found the end zone on a fourth-down run that gave GP a 12-8 lead and dented the Eagles’ homecoming festivities.

Gar/Pal traveled to back St. John to sub for Valley Christian which canceled after the tragic death of Andrew Swank the previous week at Washtucna. Swank’s funeral was Friday.

Taylor Christopher picks up speed on a run for the Vikings at St. John.

“I told some of their coaches I wish we weren’t here, because it would have meant that never happened,” GP Coach Scott Thompson commented.

GP’s schedule was open after the Vikings canceled their 11-man schedule because of a lack of numbers.

The two teams matched up at St. John two weeks ago, with the Eagles pegging the win.

Coach Thompson said the first game gave the Vikings just enough info to put together a better game plan on round number two.

Friday’s game was a defensive struggle. Both teams marched into the other team’s red zone without finding paydirt.

In the first quarter SJE’s Cole McCanna grabbed a Kyle Raynor pass and ran 28 yards for a touchdown. Evan Raynor grabbed a pass from Kyle Raynor for the two-point conversion to put the game at 8-0 SJE.

Both defenses took over from there, with the GP defense coming up biggest in the fourth quarter with four interceptions.

Taylor Christopher picked off a pass deep in Eagle territory that led to Lange’s first touchdown run, a seven-yarder off tackle.

Gavin Burt and Lange added picks, with Burt’s coming near the end to set up the game-winner. Christopher added his second interception of the game when SJE took the ball after Lange’s second score to end the game.

The Vikings host Wallace of Idaho Friday at Palouse.

St. John/Endicott will host Lyle, the SE’s far-off participant who can’t advance to the playoffs because of their size.