"Early evening, September 1, shots ring out in the Lynwood sky . . ." [with apologies to Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton]

After having been SCHOOLED by Head Coach Miller's YOUNGins a mere 11 days ago at a neutral site in Monterey Park, the East Imperial Avenue Knights wanted to make the most of their HOME TURF ADVANTAGE in this evening's GRUDGE MATCH with the Vikings.

Although warned by Head Coach Miller never to underestimate their ENEMIES, the BOUGIE WEST-SIDERS were neither intimidated by the SNAP-CRACKLE-n-POP, nor by the BIRDS hovering over the Lynwood High Gridiron. Proving that they WEREN'T NO NEWJACKS, the Vikings went MANO A MANO and TOE-TO-TOE with da Knights in a defensive struggle of EPIC PROPORTIONS.

REPRESENTIN' the Vikings defense all scrimmage long were:

• Daniel GRAfeedie: 5 TAGS (by scrimmage end his #18 was plastered on Knights' helmets, jerseys, and pads)
• TEEEEMOOOOULLLINNNN Barnes: 4 TAGS (one for a loss)
• 'ZO Regalado: 2 TAGS + SOME SERIOUS SHUT DOWN CORNER PLAY
• RILES Friedenberg: 1 TAG for a loss + A MAD PASS RUSH, proving that last Saturday was no fluke.
• JAKE "The Snake" Moore: 1 TAG for a loss OTTO "Forward or backward" Lussenhop: 1 TAG for a loss
• Christian MILLER time: 1 TAG MAX-imum Alexander: 1 TAG
• JUSTIN "Brawler/Crawler" Pilot: 1 forced fumble

YOU HAD ALSO BETTA RECOGNIZE:

• Nicky "All day" Ghysels, Kolby Clark-"Kent", Ryan "Magic" Johnson, Will "Ready and Able" Von Schlegell, Liam "Danny" Murtagh, Angel Padilla, and Flynn Mastrangelo for KICKIN' TO THE CURB Lynwood's QB, who dare not throw anywhere in the vicinity of Saftey Marco "Red Card" Siderman.
• An UNDERMANED Lighting and Thunder Offense, helmed by Messrs. Siderman and Miller, respectively, fed Lynwood a steady diet of pitches, counters, roll-outs, and short passes. Conservative play calling was the order of the evening in light of the absence of key HOGS Kyle Grassl, Joseph Becerra, and Duke O'Callahan.
• PURPLE HEARTS go out to Mr. Miller and Mr. Regalado for not succumbing to any of Lynwood's JACKS or POPS.

BE SURE TO HOLLA AT THESE PLAYAHS WHEN YOU SEE 'EM IN THE STREETS:

• Defensive Coordinator SERGIO "KFC" SIDERMAN for leading a convoy out the JAM PACKED parking lot and for navigating a SAFE ROUTE to the 105 West Freeway;
• Assistant Coach SEAN "Don't call me Tammi" TERRELL for his keen ability to account for the proper number of Vikings on the field;
• Assistant Coach JUSTIN "Todo" CORAZON for calling timely blitzes; GM ANNA MILLER for getting the squad CERTIFIED;
• Team Photographer LAURA SIDERMAN for not solely focusing her camera lens on Mr. Alexander; Team Videographer JUSTIN "most popular name on the team" MASTRANGELO for battling the ominous evening sky; and
• PARENT VOLUNTEERS for forking out the CHEESE for the SWEET TEA, 40s, and SOUL-FOOD SNACKS.

The Vikings look forward to the return of teammates Messrs. Grassl, Becerra, and O'Callahan, Team Photographer Steve "FLORIDA" Alexander, and Team Beverage Consultant Peter "HAWAII 5-0" Grassl, and undoubtedly to several of Head Coach Miller's patented UP-DOWNS and LAPS at Clover Park.

It was GOOSE-EGGS all around in this abbreviated defensive struggle which saw Head Coach Miller's squad continue their scrimmage shut-out streak.

Messrs. Rafeedie (2 feather plucks), Miller (2 feather plucks) and Moore (1 feather pluck) lead the Purple Eagle Eaters.

The Vikings offense stumbled a bit, however did not CRY FOWL in the face of some questionable holding by the no buena Birdies.

Today's PURPLE HEART AWARD goes to Mr. Becerra, and SHOUT-OUTS go to Defensive Coordinator Siderman, Assistant Coaches Russ Moore, Justin Hart, and Sean-Claude Terrell, Team Videographers Justin Mastrangelo and Steve "Park Ranger" Alexander, Team Photographer Laura Siderman, Team Beverage Consultant Peter Grassl, and the Parents who graciously nourished the Tiny Mites with water, orange slices, gatorade, and post-game snacks.

Head Coach Miller vowed to not let his charges rest on their laurels. After a rest day tomorrow, it will be back to practice at Clover Park on Monday to commence preparations for Gardena's Mohicans next Saturday.

A mere three weeks ago, Head Coach Shannon Miller and Defensive Coordinator Sergio Siderman told their first time tacklers that DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. Well, it appears that the young PURPLE PEOPLE EATERS were listening to their modern day Bud Grants after all !

Lead by Daniel Rafeedie (3 traps), Jake Moore (3 traps - one of which was of the touchdown saving variety), Christian Miller (3 traps), Maxwell Alexander (2 traps), Riley Friedenberg (1 trap), Alonzo Regalado (1 trap), and Teemolin Barnes (1 fumble recovery), the HUNTER AND TRAPPER DEFENSE did not allow a single first down in WHITE-WASHING the Twin Cities Wolverines.

The Viking offense, under the steady guidance of signal caller Marco Siderman, was not to be outdone by their defensive bretheren. On the second play from scrimmage, Mr. Outside (Max Alexander) ran over and through several CARCAJOU on his way to and through the end zone. A mere two plays later it was Mr. Inside's (Daniel Rafeedie) turn to hit pay-dirt. Mr. Miller then STIFF-ARMED more than one GULO GULO, who had the audacity to think that they could thwart him while on his mission to add six points to the scoreboard. It was deja vu for the POCOMAXA when Mr. Alexander registered his second, and his team's fourth and final touchdown of the scrimmage.

Opening up holes for Messers. Alexander, Rafeedie and Miller to run through all scrimmage long was the Vikings VAUNTED O-Linemen: Otto Lussenhop, Kyle Grassl, Nicky Ghysels, Joseph Becerra, Flynn Mastrangelo, Justin Pilot, Duke O'Callahan, Kolby Clark, Angel Padilla, Liam Murtagh, Will Von Schlegell, and Ryan Johnson, as well as Messrs. Barnes, Regalado and Friedenberg.

By the end of the scrimmage, the only ones singing "HAIL TO THE VICTORS" were the young Norsemen.

The final date for a refund is THIS Friday August 13th.

Requests for a refund must be submitted in writing to our treasurer via our PO Box or emailed to the GM of the player's division.  A player/cheerleader can request a full refund (minus $35 administration fee) through the first week of conditioning.  A player/cheerleader can request a 50% refund through the second week of practice (first week of contact). NO REFUNDS after this date (8/13).  NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES.  All refunds will be mailed directly to the family's home once the treasurer has confirmed that all equipment, clothing, and raffle tickets have been returned.

This past week, the Santa Monica Vikings sent three teams to the PCC champions in Downey.  Two weeks earlier, the Vikings Flag team had secured a PCC champions by defeating Lakewood 24 - 0, but on this weekend, it was time to showcase the tackle teams.  The morning started with a with the Mighty Mitey Mite team that had posted an undefeated regular season and ended with one of many shutout victories, beating Twin Cities 18 - 0.  The Pee Wees followed suit in impressive style, matching the power of the Mitey Mites defense with their own shutout of Downey 20 - 0.  The Jr. Midgets took a slightly different, yet just as effective approach. Demonstrating their offensive power, they outscored Twin Cities 40 - 20. All of our teams displayed dominance with character and we should all be proud.