TOWER CITY, Pa. — A 28-13 win over Schuylkill Haven gave the Williams Valley Vikings (9-1) their second-consecutive District XI title, earning them a spot in the PIAA '2A' State Playoffs.
It'll be a Viking on Viking matchup, as the Riverside Vikings, the District II winners, defeated Lansdale Catholic to move on to the first round of post-season play.
After winning their district last season, Williams Valley fell in the first-round of the state playoffs.
"We've been 2-6 since we've been there," said head coach, Stephen Sedesse. "So, trying to get a rhythm down and get some wins in the state playoffs, showing we really belong and finding our identity," Sedesse said.
Sedesse is just in his second season at the helm of the team, as is his junior quarterback, Brady Shomper, who became the starter early last season. Despite the two possibly going through their own learning curves in their newer roles, the team hasn't missed a beat this season.
"The heart that each and every one of us has, you know, they go out there playing their heart out knowing that we're gonna win," said Shomper.
The lone loss this season was a 38-30 loss against Schuylkill Haven in week six. The Vikings avenged that loss with their victory in the District XI 2A Championship, where they got a great showing from their defense.
During an early stretch in the season, the Vikings allowed four opponents to score a total of 104 points on them. The Vikings outscored those opponents 156-104 to go 3-1 in that stretch. The 38-30 loss to Haven was the fourth game in that stretch. After that game, the defense put up back-to-back shutout performances and have only allowed opponents to score 14 points or less in each contest.
"In the first half of the year, offense kind of guided the team a little bit and then as the season went on, our defense really started showing up and they've been playing better and better every week. So I think finding that balance and coming together at the right time," said Sedesse.
Sedesse described the Riverside Vikings as a team "kind of like us" in terms of their offensive style. Both offenses play a balanced attack first, with both quarterbacks having good arm's and the ability to run off-schedule.
"They're very physical up front," Sedesse said on Riverside. "They got a very big front. They got some guys that are going to play at the next level. So, it's just going to be important for us to match that intensity early on," he said.
Kickoff between the Vikings' is Friday, Nov. 22nd at Berwick High School at 7:00p.m.
Williams Valley will look to advance to the second round of the state playoffs for just the third time in program history.
"They just want to prove that we belong at the next next phase of football," said Sedesse.