Vikings fall to Sandy in season opener

Forest Grove’s offense sputters in a 12-6 non-league loss to Sandy

By Darrell Jackson

The Forest Grove News-Times, Sep 9, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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SANDY – Sandy’s offense didn’t do much Friday night, but the Pioneers’ defense took a pair of interceptions into the end zone to account for both touchdowns in a 12-6 win over Forest Grove in the opening week of the 2009 football season.

“Our defense overall played very well, they didn’t give up the points so that is a good sign,” Forest Grove head coach Dwight Jensen said. “We left our feet a little bit and things didn’t happen when we left our feet. Once we stayed strong and on our feet, they made some great stops and great tackles.”

The Vikings struggled on offense early as the Sandy defense stopped Forest Grove from converting a first down until early in the second quarter. One play later, Sandy’s Joey Allen intercepted an Eric Huson pass and cruised 33 yards into the end zone.

“I saw the ball and stepped in front and grabbed it,” Allen said. “Then I just wanted to get into the end zone to put some points on the board.”

The Vikings got a break late in the half as the Sandy defense continued to stifle their offense.

Forest Grove’s defense held the Pioneers to a fourth down and forced them to punt from midfield. The ball was snapped over the head of Sandy punter Donovan Brooks and he was tackled at the 25-yard line, giving the Vikings great field position.

On second down, Huson fired a six-yard completion to Jordan Tasa and a five-yard penalty put the ball at the Pioneer 13-yard line.

Huson then dropped back and hit Josh Pronozuk at the five-yard line and he broke two tackles to get into the end zone, tying the game at 6-6 heading into halftime.

“Our defense was holding them and then we give them a 25-yard field with the bad snap,” Sandy head coach Ray Baker said. “Offensively we kept turning the ball over or we could have put this game away early.”

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