In a tightly contested conference battle, the #2 Princeton Vikings squeezed out a last-second 17-16 victory over the Lakota East Thunderhawks last Friday night. Despite the high-profile offensive attacks for both teams, the difference in the game came down to special teams.

Lakota East started the game off with a long offensive drive that chewed up over 6 minutes of the first half clock, as senior QB Jamison Kitna found success throwing to his junior halfback Ryder Hooks out of the backfield. Coupled with some Vikings penalties on defense, the Thunderhawks were able to end their long opening drive with a 28-yard field goal from junior kicker Tyler Gruber.

After forcing a turnover-on-downs from Princeton, the Thunderhawks’ offensive attack went right back to work, driving down the field and forcing more mistakes from the Vikings’ defense, culminating in a nifty 6-yard touchdown pass from Kitna to his junior tight end Patrick MacFarlane.

East led the Vikings 10-7 at the half. Princeton blocked an East punt early in the 3rd quarter to take a 14-10 lead.

Defense prevailed for both sides throughout the opening acts of the second half, with each squad forcing three-and-outs and quick defensive stops to keep the game in a close battle well into the fourth quarter. Lakota East had multiple chances on offense to take control of the contest, but a series of missed short-yardage field goals cost them points.

It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that the Thunderhawks offense finally broke through, when Kitna found junior receiver Zion Neal in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown, and the lead. The extra point attempt following the touchdown by freshman kicker AJ Fitzstephens hit the right upright and bounced away from the goalposts, leaving East with just a 16-14 lead.

With the game on the line and time running out, the Vikings put together a solid drive in the final moments of the game and kicked a short field goal to give them the win with time running out.

Despite the loss, Kitna had an impressive game under center for the Thunderhawks, going 22-37 for 251 yards and two touchdowns. The East offense outgained Princeton 357 yards to 198.

East (2-12, 2-1) will visit Fairfield (2-2, 2-) this coming Friday. The Indians fell 50-14 to West last week.