Woodbridge flexes their muscles to shut down Forest Park

A defensive struggle much of the evening the Woodbridge Vikings (3-3) held Forest Park scoreless in the second half and picked up a big district win over the Bruins 24-15. The Vikings defense was swarming most of the evening, picking up 4 sacks, 2 interceptions and a few keys fourth down stops. “We don’t have to control our own destiny; we just have to control our work every day.” Head Coach Jim Longerbeam said. 

Woodbridge seem to come into this contest with a chip on their shoulder and it showed from early on. It has been documented that the Vikings have the talent to compete with anybody and last night they proved it. To start things off Forest Park had other reservations as they scored first on a Kellen Lewis touchdown run. After a penalty on Woodbridge, the Bruins converted the two point try and it 8-0 midway through the opening quarter.

The Vikings came right back on the next drive, after a Salmanna Massaquio big kickoff return, quarterback Denari Hill hit Raphael Johnson on a 40-yard screen pass for six (8-7). The very next possession, all state running back Landon Hunt broke free up the middle for a 63-yard touchdown run and that would be the Bruins last score on the night making it 15-7.

Through the second quarter you could begin to see the momentum shift to the home team as Woodbridge defense began swarming to the football. They would cut the lead to 1 when freshman running back Marquece Sharpe rushing touchdown (15-14).  Set up by their defense again later in the half the Vikings added a 30-yard field goal from Mathias Aldrete giving Woodbridge the 17-15 halftime advantage. 

Forest Park could not get their high-power rushing attack going most of the night as Woodbridge was keying on Hunt who outside of his first quarter run could not break loose most of the night. When it appeared, the Bruins had caught a break after a failed fake punt by the Vikings set them up at the Woodbridge 35, Coach Longerbeam’s defense had other plans. They stuffed Landon Hunt on a 4th and 1 carry at their own 27-yard line to take over. The next play Hill found Massaquio on a quick screen and Massaquio did the rest. The Alexandra City transfer darted down the home sidelines for an explosive 73-yard touchdown pass (24-15). 

Another 4th down stop and two interceptions later and Woodbridge had earned the victory, Coach Longerbeam was very proud of his team’s fight “Defense bailed me out (referring to his fake punt decision), our whole thing was if we get out two scores it would get them out of what they are really good at”.

Woodbridge is looking to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2017, Massaquio believes his team is ready “Today we showed we are really about that”. The Vikings will look to keep the momentum going in their direction in two weeks when they travel to face Freedom (0-3). Forest Park must regroup quickly as a big matchup next Friday at Gar-Field (4-2) awaits.