Defense Keys St. Louis Park Football Victory

After winning just two games all of last year, the 2011 football team is now 2-0 after a defensively-driven win Friday night against Fridley.

The Orioles took a 7-0 lead without ever touching the ball on offense, as senior safety Jordan Young intercepted a first-quarter pass from Fridely’s Nick Rathke, then raced up the sidelines for a 90-yard touchdown. A second Rathke interception late in the fourth quarter near the St. Louis Park goal line sealed the game.

New Orioles coach , who was coaching in front of the home fans for the first time, said he could tell his team was focused and energized.

“It’s good to come out here and get a victory at home,” Varpness said “(The players) worked hard all week. I’m really proud of them.”

Young made the play of the game on defense, but he was a factor on offense, too. He scored the game’s second touchdown, hauling in a 13-yard pass from senior quarterback Jacolbi Courington-Meier midway through the second quarter.

Courington-Meier only had four completions for 36 yards on the night, but he made up for it on the ground. The senior ran the ball 11 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. Senior Desmon Martin added another 109 rushing yards on 19 carries of his own.

Up next for the Orioles is a road game next Friday against Robbinsdale Cooper. While the prospect of surpassing last year’s win total is certainly enticing, Varpness said he doesn’t think his team will become over-confident after the good start.

“I don’t think our style allows that type of mentality,” the coach said. “We’re an underdog-mentality type of coaching staff.  That’s where we like to be. We told our kids they’re going to be scrappers out there. Every game they have, they’re going to have to fight for it.”