Vikings outlast Coyotes to pick up the season openener

     It is often stipulated that the Vikings are dead and buried on the gridiron, since the 2019 playoff run the Vikings had won a total of 3 varsity games. Santa Monica had accumulated a pitiful 14.3% win percentage in the last three years coming into the game last Friday. Samo also hadn't won a season opener since they played Redondo in 2013 so a slow start wouldn't have been out of ordinary within the poor recent history of Vikings Football. On the contrary however, Calabasas routed Santa Monica last year 41-14 to open the season which eventually propelled them to make a semi-final run in the division 6 playoffs led by their star Aaron Butler (Colorado Commit Wr/Db Class of 2024). Additionally they returned a majority of their other key players and added a couple new transfers in the process. Calabasas was ranked 68 in the preseason state rankings on maxpreps.com, the Vikings were a mere 487. No matter how you put it, this game for the boys in blue was going to be extremely difficult.

In Calabasas second drive of the game, Aaron Butler (Colorado Commit Wr/Db Class of 2024) put up the first points of the game for the Coyotes as he scampered in off a jet sweep from ten yards out to put the Coyotes up 7-0 late in the first quarter. In spite of this, the Vikings kept their heads up and answered with a sixty yard scoring drive finishing with a Caden McCallum (Rb/Lb Class of 2024) touchdown. After a
blocked extra point the score was 7-6 Calabasas but the Coyotes and the aforementioned Butler weren’t done for the half as Alonzo Contreras (San Jose State Commit QB Class of 2024) threw a pin point bomb into Butler’s breadbasket from forty yards out to make the Coyote lead 8 with 2:59 on the clock in the half. With three minutes on the clock Vikings sophomore Wyatt Brown (QB Class of 2026) led an eloquent drive down the field fueled by a thirty-one yard catch by Payton Seals (Wr Class of 2026). On what was supposed to be the final play of the drive the Vikings attained a pass interference call against the Coyotes, giving Samo one last shot at the end zone. Brown found David Solis (Class of 2024 Cb/Wr)
peeling away from his defender in the front of the end zone netting the Vikings a touchdown on what was the final play of the half making the score 14-12 after a failed two point conversion.

During the second half, the Vikings completely relied on their workhorse running back Caden McCallum (Rb/Lb Class of 2024) and his offensive line as on the first drive of the half the Vikings had resounding five and a half minute running campaign capped off with McCallum going untouched into the end zone making the score 18-14 mid way through the third. After the Vikings converted the two point conversion with another run by McCallum, Calabasas got the ball back and their first offensive play out of the half they were picked off by David Solis (Class of 2024 Cb/Wr) off of a huge pressure from Jayden Montanez (Class of 2024 OL/DL/TE). Once the Vikings got the ball back they went right back to the rushing well with another long drive finishing with McCallum netting his third touchdown of the night. So in the dying minute of the third quarter, the Vikings led 28-14 after another two point conversion. On the ensuing Calabasas drive, the Coyotes accumulated some off the field penalties so on the first play of the fourth quarter it was 3rd and 25 from their own five yard line! Somehow, Contreras found Butler miraculously to gain a first down for Calabasas, and Contreras would finish the drive himself with a twenty-four yard run to get the Coyotes within one score of the Vikings. Santa Monica ran the ball down into the red zone again but an interception by Arion Santana (Db/Wr Class of 2025) on fourth down left the Coyotes with a shot of making it level with a minute to go. Contreras led the Coyotes to mid field, but on the second to last play of the game, Charles Cravings (SS/Wr Class of 2025) came up with the play of the game to intercept Calabasas hopes of a late resurgence.




Santa Monica 28 - Calabasas 21


As forty point underdogs in this game in addition to all the history between the two schools in sporting events over the last two years it was obvious the Vikings wanted it badly. From knocking out Samo's 2021-2022 basketball squad in the playoffs, to the persistent instagram mockery, the Vikings wanted vengeance on the Coyotes. Constantly feeling disrespected by not only their opponents, but by their own classmates, friends, or even teachers the boys came into last nights game with a boulder on their shoulder. The Vikings in years prior would’ve been content by the halftime score line but this year's team showed a relentless resolve and passion that is unrivaled to the last couple years of Samo Football. Caden McCallum finished with three touchdowns and 186 all purpose yards in the incredible upset of the Coyotes but the players of the game had to be the boys up front. With only two returning starters on the line playing every play the boys up front dominated all night led by

Ezra Klein (C Class of 2025), Nicholas Gonzalez (LT Class of 2025), Mason Oliva (LG Class of 2024), Ryland Hawkins (RT Class of 2024), Amir Jahromi (DL Class of 2024), Jayden Montanez (Class of 2024 OL/DL/TE), Paco Vandenbrook (DL/TE Class of 2024) and Michael “Big Shady” Michalski (RG Class of 2024).

The Line play was outstanding and the reason that line played so great was because of one man, the head coach of the Vikings, Carter Paysinger. Coach Paysinger instilled a work ethic and drive in his hogs and by the time August rolled around every linemen could bench more than 235 pounds! He also decided to move his all first team offensive tackle Jayden Montanez (Class of 2024 OL/DL/TE) to tight end, and despite many doubting the move it obviously worked wonders as the boys up front committed atrocities against the Calabasas front seven. Looking ahead, the Vikings play long-time Ocean league foe El Segundo at home next week who they beat last year 33-14. Nonetheless, the Vikings must diligently prepare for this week's game as upsets happen, just like what happened on opening night. From everyone here at the Sports Blog, we’ll see you at the smurf turf for next Friday’s neon night vs El Segundo, where we will be hosting our first “SAMO Gameday” show of the season.

Written by Theo Dowling Editor and Chief of the SamoSportsBlog.

All Photo Credits to David E. Hunzicker: deh.crevado.com


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