VIKINGS 16, Otters 0

When you look at the averages, the Vikings of Lyndon Institute aren't noticeably bigger or more experienced than the Otters of Otter Valley Union High School. On average, the Otters varsity players are a little older, while the Vikings varsity players are just the slightest bit larger. But the averages neglect the fact that Lyndon Institute has much of its size and experience packed into the body of a single player. Senior Vikings starter Curtis Randall is listed in the football programs at six-foot-four and three-hundred-thirty-three pounds. On a high school football field, Randall is a "presence."

Randall and head coach Dan Nolan's Vikings shut down Otter Valley in the Otters home opener yesterday at Markowski Field in Brandon. While the Otter defense turned in a solid effort, the offense was incapable of finding the endzone. The final score was 16-0, Vikings.

Lyndon Institute had been expected  to pose a problem for Otter Valley. In the preseason, Otters head coach Jim Hill said he expected the Vikings to be tough. In the first week of the season, as the Otters spanked the much less experienced Springfield Cosmos, 48-6, the Vikings shut out Milton by a score of 14-0. Early last season, Lyndon's ground game tore apart the Otter defense, as the Vikings notched a 30-16 win.

With yesterday's win, Lyndon Institute, 2-0, moves into a first place tie with Rice Memorial in the Vermont Division II high school football standings. Neither Lyndon nor Rice has surrendered a single point this season. (The Otters travel to face Rice on Oct. 6.) At 1-1 on the young season, Otter Valley is tied in the division with Bellows Falls, high-scoring Burr & Burton, Fair Haven, Milton and U-32. U-32 visits Markowski Field next Saturday afternoon at one o'clock. Springfield and North County Union are winless in the division through two games. Springfield already has surrendered more than 100 points.