DODGELAND The Parkview/Albany football co-op entered Fridays game against Dodgeland in search of its first win of 2026. After recording seven takeaways and a pair of defensive TDs, the search was over for the Vikings.
It was a defensive masterclass for Parkview/Albany (1-3, 1-0 Trailways) as the Vikings always seemed to have an answer, and more importantly a turnover, waiting in the wings when the team needed it most. As a result, the Vikings picked up their first win of 2026 in the form of a 29-12 win over the Trojans.
Parkview/Albany set the tone early on defense, forcing a Dodgeland turnover on downs after Kase Hazeltine logged a fourth-down sack. While the Viking offense couldnt get anything going on the following drive, the defense made up for it.
Casey Cole would record a strip sack for the Vikings on defense, as senior Peter Roth scooped up the ball and ran it back 19 yards for the opening score of the game at the 2:08 mark of the first quarter.
The very-next drive, two-way standout Connor Knutson provided an interception for the Vikings. Once again, however, the Viking offense was unable to get any points on the board.
The Trojans found a response with 3:55 remaining in the second quarter as Brayden Schwandt found Kiptyn Wolter for a seven-yard TD pass. However, a bad snap on the extra point helped keep things level at 6-6 for the Vikings.
Parkview/Albanys offense then found its footing. Knutson drove the Vikings down the field through the air, going 3-for-3 over the course of the drive for 69 yards passing. The drive was then capped off with John Grenawalt punching in a one-yard TD run, allowing Parkview/Albany to regain a 13-6 lead with 2:52 to go in the half.
The ensuing drive, the Viking defense once again galvanized the team as Carter Abrahamson picked off Schwandt for a 46-yard house call, the second defensive touchdown of the half for the Vikings. Knutson then found Louis Nath on a two-point conversion, putting the Vikings ahead 21-6 going into halftime.
Dodgeland reached into their bag of tricks to open up the second half, recovering a surprise onside kick to start off the half with the ball.
However, yet again, the Parkview/Albany defense made its presence known. Peter Roth, having already logged a touchdown on the day, wasnt done quite yet. The senior drilled a Dodgeland ball carrier, forcing a fumble that would be recovered by fellow senior Bronsen Carter to give the Vikings their fourth takeaway of the night.
The Vikings then put together a methodical drive that was capped off with Knutson finding Nath on a 31-yard touchdown strike to make things 29-6 after another successful two-point try.
Dodgeland found an immediate response, as Schwandt connected with Lucas Janzer on a lengthy, 55-yard touchdown pass and catch to move the score to 29-12 with 2:50 left to play in the third.
While the Parkview/Albany offense wasnt able to respond, their defense once again reared its ugly head. Peter Roth, this time on a fourth and one, forced his second fumble of the game. This time it was recovered by Cohen Williams, providing the Vikings with their fifth takeaway.
The Vikings were able to log their sixth takeaway not long after. With Dodgeland set up in the Parkview/Albany redzone following a blocked punt, the Vikings put together an unbelievable tip drill to notch another INT. Casey Cole, backpedaling and unable to catch the ball himself, tipped the ball to Carter Abrahamson to give the sophomore his second pick of the day.
Louis Nath then provided an exclamation point for the Parkview/Albany defense, recording a seventh and final takeaway in the form of another redzone interception with under a minute to play. Thanks in large part to the Viking defense, Parkview/Albany was walking away with its first win of 2026.
Aside from a defensive performance that saw the Vikings log four interceptions and three fumbles, there were also multiple offensive standouts for Parkview/Albany.
Quarterback Connor Knutson, one of the several Vikings that logged an interception in the win, also finished 11 for 21 passing for 184 yards and a touchdown. Louis Nath, unsurprisingly, was Knutsons favorite target. The senior notched seven catches for 124 yards and a TD grab.
John Grenawalt ended the game as Parkview/Albanys leading rusher. He finished with 27 yards on five carries, one of which was his goal line touchdown run.
Riding the high of a conference-opener victory, Parkview/Albany returns home on Friday, September 18 to welcome Fall River/Rio (2-2, 1-1 Trailways). The Rebels are coming off a massive upset win over Lourdes Academy, who was ranked No. 2 in all of Division 7, last Friday night.