Vikings Return to Playoff Competition, Ending Six Year Drought
After a 5-5 regular season, the Lamar varsity football team made its return to playoff competition Friday night. The Vikings traveled to North Dallas to take on an unfamiliar opponent in Jesuit Dallas, an all-boys Catholic school.
While the final score of 65 – 41 did not favor the Vikings, both the manner and the poise of the sideline were reflective of the overall mood of the football season – one of resilience.
The first quarter ended 14-14, before Jesuit and its powerful offense simply began to pull away. Short drives, long runs and offensive schemes that resulted in quick scores afforded Jesuit a lead that Lamar could not overcome.
The Vikings, however, refused to give up in this game.
This team of young men that left the field on Friday night is the same group of young men that fought back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat district rivals Arlington High 35- 21 before a slimmed crowd at UTA stadium. This is the same team that had to leave the field after watching an extra point attempt sail through the uprights, but not having said attempt counted as “good.” This is the team that returned to the field of play after a less than stellar homecoming game performance to cement its largest victory of the season 55-7 against Sam Houston.
“Viking Fight Never Dies” is displayed in various spots around Lamar’s campus and how fitting as the team returns to campus this week, less anymore Friday Night Lights in 2025.
For junior safety Xian Johnson making the playoffs this season was undoubtedly his biggest moment of the season, but he doesn’t shy away from the lessons learned in the first-round playoff exit.
“I understand how important it is to not get complacent after a big win. We have to always work harder to capitalize on our wins so that we won’t go backwards,” he explains. “In working with the seniors this season – I realized just how fast the season goes by. We have to cherish each game and moment, build bonds and definitely rebound faster from our losses, ”he explains.
For many varsity players, Friday playoff game was the last time they will ever suit up in pads and cleats. Their emotions along the sideline were obvious as the clock expired.
“I can’t express how proud I am of this senior group. They are the group that gave us that final push to get over the hump and get back into the playoffs,” says Head Coach Billy Skinner. “It’s a group of unselfish young men who wanted more for Lamar football the whole, instead of themselves as individuals. This wasn’t the most talented group that’s ever come through Lamar, but their connection to each other and their younger teammates was the difference. Eric Walker (Senior linebacker) gave a speech during our varsity retreat that will stay with me forever. He talked about being a part of a team that went winless on the JV team and wanting to do everything within his power to restore Lamar to where we should be no matter how big or small his role has to be. THAT LED THE CHARGE FOR OUR KIDS THIS YEAR. That type of leadership is the legacy this group leaves behind. I’m just proud to be their coach.”
Jesuit may have won the game last Friday, but they didn’t erase a season full of skills enhanced, records broken, crowds wowed and memories made. Viking fans can take confidence in the fact that both coaches and players are already determining new ways to enhance Lamar’s success next season.
