Samo beats Gundo to go 2-0

Only a week removed from one of the biggest upsets of the southern section’s 2023 football season, the Vikings continued their torrid start as they defeated the El Segundo Eagles by a score of 36-20 at home last Friday night. The Vikings started the game on a high note as they shut out their opponents' repugnant offense throughout the first half while scoring three touchdowns of their own to go up 22-0. While the Eagles would flirt with a early comeback in the third quarter, Samo's relentless air attack and stingy defense would ensure that their prayers weren’t answered. 

For the Vikings, quarterback Wyatt Brown (QB Class of 2026) did his part with three touchdowns, including two to Griffin Seals (Wr Class of 2024). The first touchdown by Seals came early in the first quarter as he burned his corner like a wick through candle wax in a 73-yard sprint down the right sideline. His second touchdown came in the middle of the second quarter as he soared through the air to highpoint a ball over his defender that would’ve made Calvin Johnson proud. 


“I give credit to the team as a whole but also, I gotta give some of the success to Wyatt,” Seals said. “He was able to get me the ball in open space and past the cornerbacks and safeties. And honestly, going through the game plan and going through the film and seeing how El Segundo always played the run helped us exploit their weaknesses tonight.”  


Vikings running back Caden McCallum (RB/LB Class of 2024) also made his presence felt in Samo’s offense throughout the game, rushing for 2 touchdowns deep in the red zone. His 31-yard charge early in the fourth quarter set up a five-yard touchdown catch by Samuel “Sammy” Reynoso (FB/TE/LB Class of 2025) that iced the game for the Vikings. On the other side of the ball, Samo’s defensive line was able to generate lots of pressure on Eagles quarterback Anthony Temesvary (Columbia Baseball Commit QB Class of 2024), thanks to the efforts of Jayden Montanez (TE/DE/ATH Class of 2024) and Paco Vandenbrook (TE/DE Class of 2024). Charles Cravings (WR/SS Class of 2025) also had an interception in the first quarter that put the Vikings in the driver’s seat early. 


For the Eagles, Alex Reis (Wr Class of 2024) had two touchdowns on the night, with the first score coming on the first drive of the third quarter and the other score coming in the final seconds of the game. El Segundo was led by their two headed rushing attack throughout the second half, Cole Castillo (RB/FB/DE Class of 2025) and Joe Bolder (RB/TE/LB Class of 2026). Both men had big nights but, the aforementioned Temesavary had Gundo’s only other touchdown on the night. However, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the hole the Vikings put them in the first half.


With this win, Samo now moves to 2-0 on the season, their best start in ten years! They will now go on a three week road stint against West Torrance, Sylmar, and Hueneme before coming back home for their first league affair against Palos Verdes on September 29th. With the hot start that has stunned not only their Bay League rivals, but also the entire southern section, morale is at an all-time high in the Vikings locker room. 


“We’re really happy that we’re doing well so far, but just like Kobe said, the job’s not finished,” Griffin Seals said. “We just gotta keep going, we gotta keep pushing, gotta get better every day and every week and we gotta play the opponent regardless of who it is.” 


Written by Declan Ney, Staff Writer.

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