Pop Warner football: Viking report for October 3 games Pop Warner football: Viking report for October 3 games (October 06, 2004)

Menlo-Atherton Vikings Pop Warner gridders took two out of three games from the Redwood City Junior 49ers on Sunday, and played two more rugged non-scoring contests in the Mitey Mite division against teams from Oak Grove and Redwood City.

M-A's Junior Midgets scored an 18-6 win over Redwood City, while the Viking Pee Wees prevailed 26-14. The Junior Pee Wees, however, fell 30-0 to a high-powered Redwood City team.

The Vikings return to the Menlo-Atherton High School field this Sunday against teams from Mountain View.

Mitey Mite Gold

The Vikings scored three touchdowns in an even contest with Oak Grove North, getting touchdowns from Keesean Johnson (45-yard pass-run from Andre Guzman); Steven Chu (35-yard reverse) and Guzman (quarterback keeper capping a 50-yard drive). Gold defenders who stood out included Scott MacKenzie, Weston Izzi and Royce Branning. The running game prospered behind the blocking of Andrew Kemp-Dahlberg, Marcus Avelar and Nick Goyle.

Mitey Mite Purple

Although not as sharp as in previous weeks, the Purple dominated Redwood City while preserving their unscored-upon record. Khalil (Lil) James and Ryan Gaertner scored first-half touchdowns for the Vikings, and Peter (Soccer Boy) Bouret scrambled 19 yards for a fourth-quarter score. James sacked a Junior 49er in the end zone for a Viking safety. Ryan Roberts and Ryan Blocker played well on both sides of the ball, while Isiah Nash contributed some good defensive plays.

Junior Pee Wees

The absence of defensive mainstay Travis McHugh due to illness seemed to take the heart out of the Vikings, who turned in their first poor performance of the season. Redwood City shocked the home team with a barrage of first-half scores, and Menlo-Atherton never managed to mount a threat. The coaching staff will be challenged to restore energy and confidence during this week's practice sessions.

Pee Wees

Marquise Tolson took care of the first-half scoring with a 60-yard run and a circus catch of Josiah Paye's pass which led to a seven-yard Tolson score. Two touchdowns by Chris Gaertner in the second half shut down Redwood City's comeback hopes. Wes Hagman played powerful defense, together with Ian Ritchey, DeVon Campbell, Chris Williams, Junior Garcia and Brandon Gibson. Blocking from Shane Artim, Matthew Diaz and Anthony Tran, who also played fine defense, energized the running game. The return of Jack Brodie, previously sidelined by injury, fired up the Viking team.

Junior Midgets

Bounding back from their only loss the previous week, the Vikings jumped in front on a 50-yard Anthony Andrighetto punt return. Rod Nash scored from 31 yards, aided by a crushing block from Bryan Carter, and Andrighetto put the game out of Redwood City's reach with a nine-yard fourth-quarter touchdown. Justin Artim harassed Redwood City quarterbacks from his defensive-end position, while Chris Barrett and Malek James also made key defensive plays.

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