STORY BY CHACE MURPHY
LEAGUE CITY – One thing is for sure: games are rarely boring when Bob Bellard’s Bryan Vikings are involved.
For Saturday’s season opener against the Clear Springs Chargers, it was the remnant of Tropical Storm Lee that made for an interesting twist to the game.
Light showers fell for most of the game, but it was gusting winds that made it increasingly difficult on both teams as the Vikings withstood a Charger comeback in a 27-17 win.
The Vikings (1-0) got a stellar effort from QB Chris Johnson, who led the way with a combined 189 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson, who saw limited action at quarterback in 2010, split time with Zach Alvarado.
Alvarado, a senior, finished the game with 21 yards passing and an interception. But it was Johnson who paced the Viking offense, scoring two rushing touchdowns and a 77 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Defensively, the Viking intercepted Clear Springs QB Zach Cripps three times and kept the Chargers passing attack in check with only 91 yards.
Clear Springs RB Rian Thompson finished the game with 115 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns.
Bryan led 20-7 at halftime, paced by Johnson’s three touchdowns.
Clear Springs scored 10 unanswered points in the second half, including a five yard touchdown run from Thompson with 10:43 left in the game.
Bryan answered with a five-play drive highlighted by Johnson’s 49 yard run on the first play. Kevin Jefferson capped off on 87 yard rushing performance with a 15-yard touchdown run with 9:14 left in the fourth to put the game away.
Bryan hosts Round Rock McNeil for its home opener on Friday, September 9, at Merrill Green Stadium. The pregame show starts at 7:05; kickoff is at 7:30 live on KZNE, Sports Radio 1150, The Zone.