With an 8-2 record in season and ready for blood, the Vikings prepared all week for an intense game over the weekend with their ’09 rivals, the San Mateo Bulldogs.

Ranked second in the state, DVC had worked hard to pick up the tempo and to bring home the win last Saturday at the Bothman Bulldog Bowl. In the past week gearing up for the big game, California’s #1 community college Defense had set its tempo for practice: hard hits could be heard ‘round the field, and morale was high.

In terms of the competition, a more vicious and relentless opponent couldn’t have been asked for. “The Bulldogs are physically nasty; we’re going to see lots of rushes and two yard plays,” observed Coach Darr before the game, “we’re going to have to keep it close”.

And keep it close they did. Every play was hard fought, and rallying cries could be hear from both sides of the field, be it the single note bellows of the Vikings or the tribal chants from the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs definitely brought their well structured offense to bear. Leading 28-0 the Bulldogs had a relentless assault in the first half, leaving the Vikings with a 28 point deficit and a potentially defeated attitude.

The Viking’s got their mojo back in the third quarter, on a pair of touchdowns from Alec Pica. The refs weren’t exactly making all the right calls but one they got right was a personal foul on San Mateo defensive back Alex Hubbard for unsportsmanlike conduct. This brought the game back into respectable competition for the Vikings.

Their run didn’t last long though as the Bulldogs kept scoring, eventually winning 62-24.

If you think that was defeat for the Vikings; think again.

Vikings overall have had a great season; like a silent storm they clobbered almost every contender on a road to being ranked second in the state. The Bulldogs simply had their game together on this day. San Mateo and Diablo Valley have consistently been ranked in the top 14in state over the years.

They have also been a part of some grueling battles and will continue to be in the future. I’m sure a Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens game is just around the corner.

My prediction is the Vikings will pull out of this loss with high hopes for the future and a will like steel.