Chiefs Ravage Vikings For Local Bragging Rights

By Christina Carrega

Chief's defense (at left) awaits snap of the football in last Friday's annual Bragging Rights Trophy game. Christina Carrega Call this the end of the road for the South Shore Vikings — at least for this year — as they took another hit last Friday afternoon in a very disappoint-ing season. This time it was from cross-neighborhood rivals, the Can-arsie Chiefs, who handed them a 20-0 loss.

The annual match for local bragging rights had an abundance of school spirit displayed by students and fans in the stands at the afternoon game at the Viking's home field. The players could only hear the crunch and slams of their padding.

For the third straight year, the Vikings fell to the Chiefs and for the second consecutive head-to-head grid match, South Shore was unsuccessful in scoring. The Vikings tried to finish this disappointing season (0-9) with pride as they took possession early in the first quarter and rushed a few yards, but despite the valiant effort, the drive was unproductive.

South Shore only managed a total of 117 offensive yards. Viking quarterback Jamel Craig completed just 4 of 11 passes for 80 yards, though 79 were gained on one pass play to Rafael Tram-mel.

While both teams compiled several penalties, Canarsie's 19 tackles, by se-nior defensive end Clifton Wright and senior linebacker Eric Smith, and an interception from defensive back Steven Rene, effectively stopped South Shore's offense.

On the other hand, the Chiefs rack-ed up 244 total yards. Junior quarterback Jarrel Turner completed 5-8 passes totaling 72 yards with senior split end Winston Longdon and senior tight end Juan Torres Jr. accounting for 20 yards each of that total.

Canarsie junior running back Andrew Stephen rushed for 95 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown on a 10-yard dash. Rene, the Chiefs' leading offensive threat, and Turner added to their exceptional performances with junior back scoring a TD from the one-yard-line and QB Turner scoring on a two-yard run.

Despite handing the Vikings another donut for their records, the Chiefs "played very sloppy," said head coach Mike Camardese in a post-game interview. "There were too many fumbles and penalties; we've got to improve before we get to the playoffs next week."

The Vikings had a rough season end-ing up second from the bottom in the PSAL power point standings.

The last time the Vikings won the Bragging Rights Trophy was in 2005 after defeating the Chiefs 22-16, scoring tie-breaking touchdown with under a minute left on the game. Two years ago, South Shore lost 12-8.

With this year's win, the overall re-cord of the two local rival high schools is dead even at 16 wins apiece.

"This was disappointing and hard to swallow," said veteran South Shore head coach Tommy Salvato. "They played hard and put in a great effort, but [we] hope to rebuild for next year."

Canarsie (6-3) opens the first round of the playoffs at home this Saturday against the Susan Wagner Falcon's (5-4) at noon.