The Valparaiso High School football team fell just a few yards short of a victory in their homecoming game against the Merrillville .
On a night where former VHS star Jeff Samardizja’s jersey was retired and Kate Workman was named Homecoming Queen, the Vikings defense was unable to perform a goal line stand to squash a solid Merrillville running attack as the Pirates scored a touchdown with just 17 seconds left in the game.
The Vikings first fell behind 7-0 after Merrillville’s rushing attack headed down the field on the game’s first possession. The Vikes were able to tie it up with a rushing attack themselves on a Stephen Simms touchdown to tie it up. It was a back and forth game in the tough DAC rivalry.
Down 24-21 with eight minutes to go, the Vikings’ offense was given some help with a 48 yard run by Andrew Kittridge, putting Valpo on the two yard line before Simms punched it in for his third touchdown of the game with just over six minutes remaining on the clock.
Merrillville, though, proved too tough a rushing offense as the Pirates matriculated the ball down the field, running the clock down as they
It was a great game played by both teams, and you can see photos of the game and the photos of the pregame ceremony honoring Jeff Samaradzija by clicking here. Click here for a photo gallery of halftime ceremonies featuring the Homecoming Queen announcement and the VHS Marching Band performing!
