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The football team fell short in a nail-biting 28–26 loss to the Gaithersburg Trojans Saturday, dropping to 2–4 on the season.

Coming into the game the Trojans were heavy favorites despite both teams, having a 2–3 record.

Through the first two quarters, the team stopped the Trojans on key defensive plays and wide receiver Alex Hilsenrath scored twice to give the Vikings a 14–13 lead at the break.

Wide receiver and defensive end Jack McClelland said that the team’s strict focus on both sides of the ball helped them throw off the Trojans’ rhythm.

“We stopped them in what they wanted to do on offense, so they had to go to plan B,” McClelland said. He also said the team’s patience caused the Trojans to commit several offside penalties, advancing the Vikings’ field position.

In the third quarter, though, the Trojans took a 21–13 lead with a touchdown and two-point conversion.

Despite an overall solid defensive performance, McClelland said the team can still improve on covering long passes.

“If we took away the big plays and stayed calm we were in good shape, but if one big play broke out we were in trouble,” he said.

The Vikings responded early in the fourth quarter with another score from Hilsenrath, who tallied 128 yards and three scores in the contest, cutting their deficit to one point. The Vikings elected to go for a two-point conversion to gain the lead but were unable to convert.

To keep time on the clock, Whitman allowed the Trojans to score with 1:30 left in the game. Afterwards, the Vikings mounted an rapid drive that culminated in a touchdown from quarterback Matt Clayton to Dawson Mackay with just seconds left. Clayton finished with 264 passing yards and four touchdowns.

However, a second failed two-point conversion ended the Vikings’ rally just short, resulting in a final score of 28–26.

The Vikings will face undefeated Damascus (6–0) Thursday at 7.