I’ll never doubt the Vikings again

By Will Harris
Sports Writer

Sunday, November 01, 2009

For the past two seasons, I have preached not to count Elizabeth City State football out.

After an 0-4 start to the 2006 season, I begged fans not to get down on the Vikings, that they were a much better team than the record said. ECSU finished 5-1 and the division title came down to the final week.

Last year, three tough non-conference road losses and a 1-3 start had people mumbling again. But I said there was no shame in losing those games and ECSU would be OK once conference play started. The Vikings finished off an unbeaten CIAA record with their second championship game appearance in three seasons.

So why did I jump ship this year?

Three weeks ago I wrote about the heartbreaking loss to Bowie State. While I did not say it out loud, you could read between the lines that I was burying the Vikings’ hopes. As a matter of fact, at the time, I thought there was no hope.

Then there was the news of the possibility of a three-way tie breathed life into ECSU. Sure, the Vikings could be asked to win their next three games, but the circumstances that had to happen around them for it to occur — one in a million.

But each week the scenario got less convoluted. Instead of worrying about four games, the Vikings just had to watch three games. Then two. Then one.

Right now, coach Waverly Tillar and the rest of the Vikings should go out and buy lottery tickets.

It goes to prove what everyone says — you can never tell in CIAA football.

Now, the coin flip.

Anything can happen and you really hate to have your fate resting on something so arbitrary, but I think this morning the Vikings like their chances.

Oh, and no matter the odds, I will never doubt the Vikings again.

———

Nice call on the Phillies-Yankees meeting up in the World Series.

Wow, thanks.

I am going with the Phils in seven. I think Philadelphia has too much power, which negates the positive effects of the Yankees’ bullpen and the deficiencies in the Phillies’ bullpen.

———

On a roll with my football picks, improving to 31-11 in five weeks.

A couple of interesting college games this week, including Virginia Tech-East Carolina and Duke-North Carolina. I will not be surprised if I am wrong on either.

On the prep front, I see the Perquimans-Plymouth game a scoring fest. First to 40? 50?

First Flight at Currituck — First Flight.

Northeastern at Edenton — Northeastern.

Pasquotank at Carboro — Pasquotank.

Manteo at Camden — Manteo.

Perquimans at Plymouth — Perquimans.

Virginia Tech at East Carolina (Thursday) — Virginia Tech.

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech — Georgia Tech.

Maryland at N.C. State — N.C. State.

Duke at North Carolina — North Carolina.