The Vanier Vikings have hit the win column in the South 5A 12-Man Football League.
The Vikings picked up their first victory of the season on Saturday afternoon at Gutheridge Field, battling to a 15-13 victory over the Estevan Elecs.
Vanier improved to 1-4 with the win, Estevan fell to 0-4.
Newcomer Layefa Goodwin scored his first touchdown in a Vikings uniform in the first half and would finish the day with 13 carries for 69 yards on the day.
The two teams went into halftime tied at 7-7, though, as Estevan’s J.T. Schrader also struck for a major in the first half.
It was Joel Marak’s turn to shine after the break, first when he scored Vanier’s lone touchdown of the half and again when he broke up a two-point conversion attempt late in the game.
Vanier had taken a 15-7 lead earlier in the half when Estevan failed to clear the end zone on punt, leaving the Elecs no choice but to go for two when Truman Ciepliski scored a late-game touchdown.
Marak finished the game with eight carries for 88 yards and two catches for 64 yards, including a 54-yard strike in the second half.
Vikings quarterback Grayson Hrenyk was 4-for-10 passing for 73 yards and three interceptions as Vanier enjoyed one of their best games moving the ball this season, gaining 285 yards.
Tristan Tober was 13-for-32 for 186 yards behind centre for Estevan and had a single interception.
Dorian Sifton had six catches for 80 yards to lead their offence.
The news wasn’t as good for Moose Jaw’s other team in action Saturday, as the Peacock Tornadoes dropped a 48-0 decision to the unbeaten Yorkton Raiders.
Aiden Leslie had three touchdowns in the first half and four on the day while hauling in four catches for 112 yards to lead the Raiders, who had a 28-0 edge at the half.
Liam Bewcyk, Owen Effa and Garin Lammers also had majors on the day.
Effa had three carries for 83 yards, Rhyeem Hurd 13 carries for 65 yards on the ground for Yorkton; quarterback Chase Batke was 8-for-12 passing for 181 yards.
Josh Johnson was Peacock’s top performer with five catches for 69 yards and five carries for 22 yards.
Keaton Doerkson was 11-for-18 passing for 137 yards for the Tornadoes.
The Tornadoes fell to 2-2 with the loss.
League action continues this week with Estevan at Swift Current on Thursday before Peacock hosts Weyburn at 1 p.m. and Central hosts Yorkton at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with both games at Gutheridge Field.
