The Vikings and Firebirds entered the ring as the undefeated watchdogs of the GMC. By the end, both lived up to expectations.
Princeton and Lakota West went blow for blow Friday night in a gauntlet match that, unfortunately, one team had to lose. When the dust settled, the Vikings had survived six turnovers and a late Firebirds lead to escape with a 27-24 victory and take control of the GMC race.
Princeton’s rushing attack was the anchor that kept the Vikings afloat despite a sloppy first half. They piled up 279 yards on just 32 carries, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt, with Monsanna Torbert and Jordan Hall leading the way.
Princeton passes another tough test
No. 1 Vikings over No. 3 Lakota West 27-24 in a thriller pic.twitter.com/MHz6z2lLgm
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) September 19, 2026
Torbert provided the explosiveness, rushing for a game-high 188 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. His 51-yard scoring run helped Princeton erase an early deficit in the second quarter. Hall overcame two lost fumbles to deliver when the Vikings needed him most, finishing with 83 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
His biggest run came with the game hanging in the balance.
Lakota West had taken a 24-21 lead on Kenyon Norman’s 9-yard touchdown run with 5:57 remaining. Princeton answered, and Hall punched it in from three yards out with 3:20 left to put the Vikings back on top for good.
Even Princeton’s special teams got involved. Key’Sean Torbert took a kickoff 68 yards to the house in the second quarter, helping the Vikings build a 14-10 halftime advantage.
Lakota West unleashed carnage defensively, forcing six Princeton turnovers, including five in the first half and three in the opening quarter. Roman Combs, Jason Lewis and Reilly Newman each came away with an interception as the Firebirds repeatedly rattled Monsanna Torbert when he tried to beat them with his arm.
Unfortunately for West, it never found an answer for his legs.
The Firebirds had plenty of offensive firepower of their own. Norman, who entered the night coming off three consecutive 200-yard rushing performances, carried 32 times for 128 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Smith completed 15-of-26 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, both going to Karmelo Jordan. Jordan hauled in six passes for 119 yards, including scoring catches of 73 and 22 yards.
The numbers illustrate just how unusual Princeton’s victory was. Lakota West did not turn the ball over, controlled possession for more than 29 minutes and forced six takeaways. Yet Princeton still produced 371 yards of offense, including 279 on the ground, and found a way to win.
“We won ugly,” Princeton head coach Andre Parker said afterward. “You don’t have six turnovers and win a game. You have to be a special team to do that.”
The Vikings now have another signature victory to go alongside their Week 1 win over Moeller. Princeton improves to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the GMC and will travel to Lakota East next week looking to remain undefeated.
Lakota West falls to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play after suffering its first loss of the season. The Firebirds return home next week to face Fairfield.
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Lakota West: 3-14-0-7 – 24
Princeton: 0-14-0-13 – 27
SCORING SUMMARY
L: Levi King 29-yard field goal
P: Monsanna Torbert 51-yard run
L: Karmelo Jordan 73-yard pass from Jackson Smith
P: Key’Sean Torbert 68-yard kickoff return
L: Karmelo Jordan 22-yard pass from Smith
P: Jordan Hall 4-yard run
L: Kenyon Norman 9-yard run
P: Hall 3-yard run, 3:20 Q4 (conversion failed)
Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
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