We are through the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium, and your Minnesota Vikings lead the Chicago Bears by a score of 3-0.

The Vikings got the football first in this one as they won the coin toss and, rather than defer to the second half, chose to take the football instead. The Vikings converted a couple of third downs early, including one where they actually ran the ball on 3rd-and-2 and moved the chains, but J.J. McCarthy had a couple of bad misses on throws and the drive stalled out.

Minnesota’s defense responded with a three-and-out, with the Vikings getting the ball back near their own 40-yard line. The Vikings then responded with a three-and-out of their own after Jordan Addison dropped what likely would have been a walk-in touchdown on a pass where he got open in the middle of the field.

Chicago went three-and-out on their second possession as well, and a nice punt return from Myles Price set the Vikings up at around their own 40 once again. The Vikings then moved the ball pretty nicely and managed to push down into the red zone, but a third-down pass from McCarthy to Aaron Jones fell incomplete and the Vikings settled for a 31-yard field goal from Will Reichard to take a 3-0 lead.

As we move to the second quarter of play, the Bears are looking at 3rd-and-4 from their own 43-yard line.

We’re through the first quarter of play in Minneapolis, folks, and the Vikings are up 3-0 on the Bears. Come join us for the second quarter of play!

It’s been a long time coming, but Park Center is back on top of PI adapted soccer in Minnesota.

The Pirates defeated Minneapolis 2-1 in the championship game of the state tournament Saturday at White Bear Lake High School for their first title since 1998.

“It’s really remarkable,” Park Center head coach Jonah Pridey said. “Four years ago, we didn’t have a team. We did what we could to get these guys young and to get a solid squad. We knew it was going to take time to develop them as great people and athletes. We had a great vision to hopefully get them to a championship, along with the personal growth, too. It’s beautiful to see us get the final result.”

Lincoln Scearcy led the way for the Pirates (10-0), scoring both goals. He started the scoring with 4 minutes, 35 seconds left in the first half by sliding a shot past Minneapolis goalkeeper Jorge Rosas Bravo low and to the short side. He extended the lead 1:17 into the second half with a shot off the crossbar and into the net on a penalty kick from a handball.

The Pirates’ ability to dribble and possess the ball is a big part of their offense and contributes to their defense.

“It’s to really push these athletes,” Pridey said. “Yes, we have kids with physical impairments and such, but what can we do to literally adapt to our own specific movements.

“We try to preach a lot that we don’t want really too much on our goalie. We don’t want really too much on our guys. We’re plenty skilled and talented, where we don’t need to rely on [our defense] too much.”

Minneapolis (8-2) cut the deficit in half 5:59 into the second half. Abubakarr Heda knocked in a loose ball off a rebound from a shot by Christopher Trejo.