Every Victory is a Blessing

Rangers 21 - Vikings II 20

Yesterday, We won by the thinnest of margins. In a game that was almost certainly headed to overtime for the 2nd time in 2 meetings. The point after touchdown attempt was no good following a TD with under 2 minutes left in the game. After Andy Reiter recovered the onsides kick attempt, our offense just had to kneel down 3 times to finish another close victory.

At half, we led 14-0 but the Vikings 2 team didn't get the memo that the game was supposedly over at halftime (something that we must have mistakenly believed). In a matter of minutes, the score was tied at 14 in the third quarter and the battle was gaining in intensity with every play. Our offense put the go ahead score in the end zone with about 4 minutes left. After yet another good kick return, the Vikings 2 drove down and scored (aided by some ill-timed penalties).

Emotions ran high during (and after) the game and conceivably, this rivalry could renew itself if we both meet in the final bowl game. But for now, the win is good. Over the years, I have found that every win in a blessing. I have been on both sides of winning and losing and although there are things about our victory that I would like to have done better, I will still take the "W". It feels better than a game in which we did all we could do and still lost. It is supposed to be about how you play the game, but then someone put a scoreboard into the equation and it is hard to overlook.

Raphael Hackl had a 75 yard TD pass reception thrown by the always-improving Stephan Postl. Raphie was also perfect in his PATs and of course, this ended up being the difference in the game. Andy Reiter had 2 interceptions and recovered the onsides kick to seal the victory.

Lars Gabler ran the ball well and added 2 TDs with the capable help of our O-line (Phillip Tippow, Drago, Luki Seidl, Benny Rabb, and Hermann Felix Simon Schildorfer V)

Defensively, we bent and had some breakdowns but met the goals of holding the opponent to less than we score and causing 3 turnovers. We also had some tackles for losses and qb pressures but the elusive qb sack was not accomplished yesterday.

The time for celebration is now past and we must focus our attention on the upcoming game against the Vienna Knights. As with all of our opponents, they are hungry to knock us out of the distinction of being the only team in the top two divisions in Austria that is unbeaten.

This week's practice is important, not only to prepare for the Knights, but to improve to be ready for the games to come. In the playoffs, there is not room for error and there are no "do-overs". It's win or go home. As stated earlier, I like the win part. Why?

Because every victory is a blessing