Vikings knock off Essex/South Page in nail-biter

STANTON — It went down to the wire but Stanton has its first win.

The Vikings, who opened the season 0-5 for the first time since 1996, withstood a blocked punt and potential

game-winning touchdown that was dropped by Essex/South Page in the endzone all in the final minute of the game on Friday to secure the 20-16 win.

Stanton (1-5 overall, 1-4 district) had taken the lead for good late in the fourth quarter when a fake pitch handoff led to a Cade Confer a nine-yard touchdown run.

The Vikings got the two-point conversion and led 20-16 with more than 10 minutes left in the game. Essex/South Page had its chances in the final minute.

The Vikings were held on fourth down in the final minute when a bad snap led to a blocked punt and set up ESP inside the Stanton 15-yard line with 29.7 seconds remaining.

ESP’s best shot was  Zach Dailey’s pass to a wide open receiver in the endzone but the pass was dropped.

“Our defense won that game,” Stanton senior Jeff Marshall said. “We got pinned [in the red zone] and our defense came through.”

ESP quarterback Jacob Sunderman was sacked on the next play leaving just 5.4 seconds on the clock for a desperation heave from the outside the red zone. But Stanton’s defensive pressure forced a bad pass to end the game.

It was a rough start for both teams as they combined for five fumbles in the first quarter.

“Both teams just forced turnovers,” Stanton Head Coach Jeff Grebin said. “Both defenses just played great.”

The last fumble was late in the quarter by Essex/South Page and scooped up by Jeff Marshall, who stumbled into the end zone and gave the Vikings the lead. Stanton led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.

“The coach demands a lot out of me. I give them all I got,” Marshall said. “Teams key on me, but that gives other guys a chance to step up.”

ESP was able to take the lead with 5:04 left until halftime as Sunderman had a three-yard run for the touchdown. Essex/South Page converted the two-point opportunity and led 8-6. The drive, which featured runs by Briar Hoyt, was set up by an interception of a Kyle Peterson pass.

Peterson threw another interception before halftime to Sunderman. After a couple of Hoyt and Jacob Jones runs, ESP had what was undoubtedly their biggest play of the game.

With Dailey at quarterback and Sunderman lined up wide to the right, Dailey completed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Sunderman as time expired for the half.

ESP got the two-point conversion and led 16-6 at intermission.

“It was big plays, but play in and play out, our defense played fantastic,” Grebin said,

Marshall said the team talked about responding on defense.

“Big plays happen, it’s 8-man football,” Marshall said. “We just have to respond and come back and play defense.”

Stanton was able to cut into the lead with 1:16 left in the third quarter as Peterson scored on a three-yard keeper.

Two key plays set up the touchdown for Stanton. The first was a half back pass from Marshall to Brady Johnson, which secured a key first down.

The other, which game just a play before Peterson’s run, was an 18-yard run by Allen Hamilton, to put the Vikings at the ESP three-yard line.

Marshall had his first 100-yard rushing game since week three against Corning.

The senior compiled 165 yards on 31 carries. Marshall was also the team’s leading tackler, recording 20, including 10 solo tackles.

“The defense stepped up every time and had an answer,” Grebin said.

Confer ended his night with 14 carries for 58 yards.

He was also the team’s leading receiver, catching three passes for 27 yards.

Both teams will take on tough playoff contenders coming off big wins.

ESP will be home to face the Sidney Cowboys, who knocked off Fremont-Mills 31-30.

Stanton will be on the road and will try to play spoiler against a CAM team that is coming off of a blowout win against Lenox.