Vikings start their season 0-2

LBCC’s football team lost 52-20 against Mt. San Jacinto at their home game opener on Sept. 6.

Although the Vikings started the game with a touchdown and a field goal, they were unable to close the gap after the score reached 30-20 in the third quarter.

Wide receiver Owen Tomich scored three touchdowns, making a majority of points for the Vikings. 

“We had a lot of trust in the QB, the guys ground me, just doing my best to provide for the team,” Tomich said.  

Quarterback Wyatt McCauley fumbled the ball late in the first, leading to a recovery that gave Mt. San Jacinto their first points.

McCauley believes that the loss was a sign that the team needs to intensify their training. 

“I have high expectations from the team, I feel like we’re going to get way better, we just have to step it up at practice, you step it up to get better,” McCauley said.

^{Vikings defense prepares for a snap on Mt. San Jacinto offense. Linebacker Cordell Montgomery signaling the next play. (Dezaray Jimenez)}

Head coach Marques Cooper felt like the game was a way to further test the waters with the team, as this is the first year the team is under his management as head coach.

“We were in the same position last year. We started 0-2 last year and we still ended up getting into a bowl game. We’re 0-2 this year , but we’re a young team, it’s a lot of freshmen, my whole line is basically freshmen. We just have to learn how to close out games,” Marques said.

_{Viking defensive lineman Levar Talley extends arm to fellow player in between plays at Veteran’s Stadium on Sept. 6. The Vikings lost 52-20. (Dom Maddan)}

Tomich shared that he believed he could’ve done more, but decided that being realistic was better for his mindset moving forward.

“I tell myself that, but honestly it’s a really big team game so it kind of takes everyone. It doesn’t just take a couple of guys but it’s 11 on 11, so you can’t really rely on one person as it showed tonight.” Tomich said.

The Vikings are set to play today at 1 p.m. against Southwestern at Veterans Memorial Stadium.