MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Viking Football is still dancing, as they host the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, December 13, at 12 PM ET against John Carroll.
Saturday's slugfest will be the first meeting between the two schools in their history. The SAA Champion Vikings ride into the quarterfinals on a nine-game winning streak dating back to September 20th. John Carroll is also on a prolonged winning streak, with their only loss of the year coming on September 13 against Johns Hopkins. coming off a remarkable victory in double overtime over national powerhouse Mount Union to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Vikings have been a war machine as a collective throughout 2025, incorporating a fully dimensioned and balanced attack that has left opponents scratching their heads all season. The insertion of Andrew Hunter and the emergence of Colby Sikes and Josh Rogers, along with one of the deepest wide receiving rooms in the nation, has provided the jolt that Berry needed to go on this run. An ultra reliable defense has been the icing on the cake, with nearly every starter being named to a sector of the SAA All-Conference Team.
In the second-round win over Trinity (TX), the Vikings controlled the game on the ground, with both Colby Sikes (6.7) and Josh Rogers (4.1) rushing for over four yards per carry. Quarterback Christian Lewis paced the offense with 11 completions for 140 yards and a touchdown through the air. Receivers Khamari Smith and Brendan Gray posed their usual threats through the air as they combined for 95 yards.
Defensively, the Vikings forced three turnovers to stifle the Trinity offense. All-conference safety Chaz Pope sealed the game with an interception, while all-conference linebacker Carver Cole had seven tackles and a forced fumble to fuel the defense. The defense will have to come up big again against a John Carroll passing attack that is led by a top 15 ranked quarterback in the NCAA, Nick Semptimphelter, who has 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season.
The graduate senior enjoys a bevy of solid targets that includes Tyren Montgomery, another graduate senior who has totaled 1,266 receiving yards (fifth in the nation) and 14 touchdowns. Shane Lindstrom and Kenneth Rawls also have combined for over 1,000 receiving yards. Nemo Jenkins and Quincy Newsom shoulder the load in the backfield for the Blue Streaks with a combined 1,372 yards.
The Vikings will also have to overcome a Blue Streak defense who only allows 13.4 points per game, led linebackers Mason Rus and Kenny Grobolsek, who both have over 50 tackles and a combined 14 TFL.
The winner of Saturday's battle advances to the semi-final round to take on the winner of Bethel (MN) and North Central (IL). Kickoff begins at noon at Valhalla Stadium.
