Pop Warner football: Vikings top tough Hollister squads Pop Warner football: Vikings top tough Hollister squads (September 14, 2005)

Facing well-stocked Pop Warner football squads from Hollister on Sunday, September 11, Menlo-Atherton Vikings fared well in four of five contests at the M-A High School field.

The Vikings continue their September home stand on Sunday, September 18, with another full day of competition.

Here are details of September 11 and September 4 games.
September 11 action

**Tiny Mites. Hollister presented the 5-6 year old Vikings with their toughest test of the season, but the locals held a clear edge behind touchdowns from Kai Winterling and Lavell Gates. Domenic Cacchione and Lucas Andrighetto drew blocking raves, while Chris Brugger, Drew Wyman and McKenna Izzi (with a touchdown-saving tackle) were defensive standouts.

**Mitey Mites. After two consecutive blowouts against lesser foes, the Vikings struggled to a 6-6 tie with the Hollister Vikings. Ryan Roberts hit all three of his passes and scored the lone M-A touchdown on a 10-yard scamper on a quarterback keeper. Isiah Nash provided offensive fireworks with a 40-yard run, and Peter (Soccer Boy) Bouret was a standout on both sides of the ball. Stephen Chu caught two passes and teamed with Nash, Marcus Avelar, Bryce Rogers, Nathan Koeten and Ben Chilton to lead a solid defense.

**Junior Pee Wees. Once again, a stout defense saved the day for the Vikings, as they whitewashed Hollister 13-0 for their second straight win. Keenan Gates slashed off tackle in the first quarter for the initial score, and Lil James threw a 16-yard halfback pass to Ryan Gaertner for the fourth-quarter clincher. Gates ran for the extra point. Patrick Bruni, who quarterbacked brilliantly, keyed a hostile Viking defense with help from Landon Baty, Andre Guzman, Ryan Blocker and Jake Britschgi.

**Pee Wees. The Vikings offense could generate little against a fierce Hollister defense, and M-A took a 28-0 pounding. Among the few bright spots was the performance of Giovanni Luciani, who filled in at the injury-plagued center position and played effectively. Jesse Perkins posted a sack for the home team, and Tommy Cummings grabbed an interception.

**Junior Midgets. M-A improved to 2-1 on the season with a 13-2 victory over Hollister. Scoring for the Vikings were Marquise Tolson and Josiah Paye. The defense held Hollister without a touchdown behind Alex Booher and Buck Stanek, both with fumble recoveries.
September 4 action

Three younger division Menlo-Atherton Vikings scored Pop Warner football victories on Sunday, September 4, while two teams in older categories tasted defeat against strong Santa Clara County foes.

Here are details of September 4 action:

** Tiny Mites. The littlest Vikings hung five touchdowns on the Delta Bay Buccaneers, four of them scored by Kai Winterling behind powerful blocking by Poutoa Falepouono. On defense, Panos Anagnostou recorded multiple sacks and created several Delta Bay fumbles. Willy Tarr and Lavell Gates, who saved two potential touchdowns with sure tackles, were other standout defenders.

** Mitey Mites. Vikings runners had another field day against Delta Bay, with Ryan Roberts, Peter (Soccer Boy) Bouret, Isiah Nash, Stephen Chu and Cameron Kirkpatrick all reaching the end zone. Chris Kober and Robert Wang were blocking standouts, teaming with defenders Maddie Tarr and Marcus Avelar to overwhelm the Buccaneers.

** Junior Pee Wees. Charles Washington dashed 21 yards for a first-quarter touchdown as the Vikings won a 7-0 defensive struggle with Delta Bay. Ryan Gaertner made a diving catch of Patrick Bruni's conversion toss for the extra point. Jack Chilton contributed some critical defensive plays, and Chris Williams had two fumble recoveries.

**Pee Wees. Oak Grove South, a perennial Pop Warner powerhouse, scored a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage, and went on to whitewash the Vikings 28-0. The home team could offer little in the way of offense except for some determined running by Travis McHugh.

**Junior Midgets. Josiah Paye's 99-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the lone bright spot for the Vikings, who dropped a 28-6 verdict to the Palo Alto Knights. Brandon Gibson ran effectively for the Vikes, aided by determined blocking from Matthew Diaz. On defense, Ian Ritchey turned in his usual consistent game.

-- Reports by Jim Gallagher of Vikings Boosters

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