Varsity football defeated the Wootton Patriots 35-30 in its first game of the season  Sept. 2.

The Vikes had a rocky start, falling to the Patriots 10-0 by the end of the first quarter. Despite trailing early, the Vikes came out strong in the second quarter, led by running back Val Djidotor.

Djidotor completed a 19-yard rushing touchdown. The Patriots blocked the extra point, bringing the game to 10-6.

Later in the second quarter, the Patriots looked to go deep, but safety Zac Morton swatted away the pass. The deflection led to a Wootton 35-yard punt, which the Vikes capitalized on with an eight-yard rushing touchdown by running back Arsalan Nejad. Quarterback Michael Flack ran in the two-point conversion, giving the Vikes a 14-10 lead.

By the end of the half, the Vikes led 21-17.

Djidotor proved his dominance on the opening drive of the second half, rushing for a 51 yard touchdown. Djidotor finished with 185 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Nejad ran in a one-yard touchdown. Wootton responded with a touchdown of their own, leaving the score  at 35-30.

With less than ten seconds left on the clock, the Patriots attempted their last play of the game. However, the Patriots failed to score, and the Vikings won 35-30.

Flack said that the team’s offense was a major part of its close victory.