CdA puts sluggish start behind, handles CV 48-11

The only things that slowed down the Coeur d’Alene Vikings on Friday were the Coeur d’Alene Vikings.

Once they got untracked in the second quarter, the visiting Central Valley Bears had no answer.

The Vikings essentially scored the game’s final 42 points for a decisive 48-11 win in a nonleague football game.

Coeur d’Alene was coming off a respectable showing in a 55-26 loss at Northern California power Folsom last week.

The passing game behind University of Oregon commit Colson Yankoff worked well a week ago. Yankoff and the Vikings had to go to the ground for success against the Bears.

The Viks rushed for 325 yards with Yankoff accounting for 128 and three rushing touchdowns. He also passed for 138.

CdA committed 12 penalties – something coach Shawn Amos expects his team to clean up.

“We started like it was our first game, not the other way around,” Amos said. “We were pretty sloppy in the beginning. Their defense is tough so we had a hard time handling those guys, especially their inside guys. They’re a handful.”

Whatever CdA did to figure out the Bears, they did it in a hurry.

CV, making its debut under coach Ryan Butner, came out like they were going to match the Viks toe for toe.

They finished off an opening drive when Ryan Rehkow connected on a 37-yard field goal.

CdA briefly took a 6-3 lead when on fourth-and-8 Yankoff faked right and then threw back left to Kyler Prendergast for a 17-yard TD pass.

CV’s last effecient drive came on its next possession. Quarterback Conner DeGeest hit Braedon Orrino for a 5-yard gain to CdA’s 34-yard line.

That’s when the Viks were called for pass interference and unsportsmanlike conduct on the same play, allowing CV to move to the 9. Three plays later, Orrino used his quickness to get outside and just inside the left pylon to put the Bears ahead 9-6 with 54 seconds to go in the opening period.

The Bears’ final points came when the Viks, backed up on their 1, took a safety with 2:58 remaining in the game.

And CdA added a final TD when backup quarterback Kale Edwards got loose and dashed 53 yards with 18 seconds to go.

CV couldn’t muster any running game. The Bears learned a week ago that senior transfer running back Tre’von Tuggles was ruled ineligible for the season. That took away a serious speedy weapon. They finished with 38 yards rushing. The final number would have been negative had it not been for 40 picked up on a carry by Orrino.

That put too much pressure on DeGeest. He completed 19 of 43 for 166 yards including two interceptions.

CdA running backs Joe Vang and Caleb Beggerly combined for 137 yards. Vang scored two TDs.

“We quit killing ourselves and made it a lot easier,” Amos said. “We started executing and our defense kept us in the game early one so we could recover.”

What Amos appreciates about team specifically is they don’t notice the scoreboard – even when they’re behind.

“What we like about this particular group of kids is they don’t get fazed really by adversity,” Amos said. “They stay positive, they keep playing. In some situations where some teams might panic, we haven’t had any panic.”

CdA takes on Mead on Thursday at Joe Albi Stadium while CV returns home against Lake City (1-1), a 51-6 winner over Lewis and Clark on Friday.