Trending
MINNEOTA -- The Minneota Vikings put together a dominant performance at home Thursday night, rolling past Yellow Medicine East 61-0 behind a productive offense and a defense that kept the Sting scoreless.
Minneota wasted little time taking control, scoring twice in the first quarter to build a 14-0 lead. Kaden Christensen opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run before Tristen Sussner connected with Landon Esping for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Eli Faris converted both extra points.
The Vikings continued to pour it on in the second quarter, scoring five touchdowns to extend their lead to 45-0 by halftime.
Quinton Anderson started the second-quarter scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run. Randy Sorensen followed with a 3-yard scoring run before Sussner found Ian Myhre for a 1-yard touchdown pass. Sussner then connected with Esping again, this time for an 18-yard touchdown, and Gage Johnston capped the first-half scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run.
Minneota added another touchdown in the third quarter when Derek Fier scored on a 6-yard run. The Vikings also recorded a safety to make it 54-0 heading into the fourth quarter.
Vance Claeys added the final touchdown with a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter as Minneota completed the shutout.
Sussner led the passing attack, completing 8 of 10 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Esping was his top target, catching two passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns. Ian Myhre also hauled in a touchdown reception.
The Vikings were equally productive on the ground, finishing with 260 rushing yards. Sorensen led the way with six carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. Anderson added 48 yards and a touchdown on five carries, while Johnston rushed for 27 yards and a score on two attempts.
Minneota finished with 383 total yards on 44 plays and picked up 19 first downs. The Vikings also converted their lone third-down opportunity.
Defensively, Minneota limited Yellow Medicine East to minus-five total yards, including minus-10 rushing yards, and just three first downs. The Sting completed two of 14 passes for two yards, threw two interceptions and went 0-for-10 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth down.
Carter Lien led Yellow Medicine East on the ground with 11 carries for 17 yards, while quarterback D. Hildahl had five carries for minus-10 yards. Lien and Hildahl each caught a pass, combining for two yards receiving.
Yellow Medicine East’s defense was led by Hildahl and Lien, who recorded four tackles apiece. Ethan Jaenisch and C. Bennett added three tackles each.
Minneota forced two interceptions, with Esping and Christensen each recording a pick, and did not commit a turnover. The Vikings’ defense also recorded a safety as the Sting struggled to find offensive momentum throughout the game.
The 61-0 victory showcased Minneota’s balance on offense and defensive dominance, as the Vikings controlled the game from the opening quarter through the final whistle.
The win improved Minneota to 7-0 on the season. The Vikings will close out the regular season Thursday, Oct. 22, with a 7 p.m. matchup at Dawson-Boyd.
Yellow Medicine East fell to 1-6 with the loss. The Sting will look to bounce back in their regular-season finale Thursday, Oct. 22, when they host Lac qui Parle Valley at 7 p.m.