Vikings Win Low-Scoring Opener

LARNED, Kan. – In a game where scoring was hard to come by, the Smoky Valley Vikings opened the 2025 football season with an 8-6 win on the road against Central Kansas League foe Larned.

The Vikings and Indians played to a scoreless draw in the first half, but Larned had multiple opportunities to score. They were inside the Smoky Valley red zone on three possessions in the first half, but penalties and strong defense from the Vikings held them out of the end zone. The best scoring opportunity came on their final drive of the first half when they drove to the Smoky Valley four-yard line, but fell short in the end.

Both teams made adjustments in the second half and ended up scoring on their first drives. Larned used up nearly half of the third quarter and opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass from Mason Miller to Koby Lang. Their two-point run attempt failed as they held a 6-0 lead with 6:57 left in the third quarter.

Smoky Valley has a quick answer as just over three minutes later, they were in the end zone for the first time. Jack Opat had a 16-yard run that helped set the Vikings up for the only score of the night, which was an eight-yard touchdown run from Crew Elliott. Elliott ran in the two-point conversion to give Smoky Valley the 8-6 lead, which would be all they would need in the end.

Larned outgained the Vikings 299-161. Opat finished with 56 yards rushing and Ty Heitschmidt threw for 62 yards. For the Indians, Miller went 14-25 for 160 yards and fullback David Colglazier ran for 136 yards.

Smoky Valley is 1-0 to start the season for the first time since 2021. Next up for the Vikings is a trip to Belle Plaine on Friday, September 12.

Score by Quarters