Both teams are walking away from Friday’s meeting between the Peacock Tornadoes and Vanier Vikings with something to build off.

The Tornadoes improved to 2-0 on the year with a 22-7 win over the Vikings at Gutheridge Field in Moose Jaw High School Football League action.

Vanier fell to 1-1 with the loss, but are coming away with their heads held high after giving the five-time defending league champions a good test throughout the game.

“This is a team that hasn’t lost much in five or six years, we might have lost the game, but I felt like we were right there all game. It was just one or two plays by them that were big and we didn’t have those on offence until late in the game,” said Vikings running back Tyler Lorenz, who had 157 yards rushing on 17 carries in the loss.

Peacock scored early and held the lead for the rest of the game, but Vanier gave them a fight as their offence moved the ball, but couldn’t find a way into the end zone.

“Cool day and big games from both teams,” said Peacock head coach Bert Redstone.

“The drives in the early part of the game have been nice and consistent, nice plays and nice games, so it’s nice to get off to a good start... We got huge stops from the D in critical moments, when it came to crunch time, they really clamped it down.”

Peacock quarterback Garrick Ward had 80 yards passing and 43 rushing on the day, while running back Jackson Woloschuk led the charge on the ground with 77 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 12 yards.

The Tornadoes fought hard for the win, coming up the key play at the key moments.

“In the second half, our pass rush was pretty decent and there’s lots to build on after that game,” said defensive and offensive lineman Mason Kurz, who had a strong game on both sides of the ball.

Peacock running back Jackson Woloschuk fights for extra yards early in the game against Vanier on Friday. (Photo: Marc Smith)

The Tornadoes put together a lengthy opening drive to the game that ended with Woloschuk running into the end zone from one-yard out to open the scoring.

Both teams turned the ball over twice over the course of the next quarter-and-a-half with Peacock finally breaking through for another touchdown with just 38 seconds remaining in the first half.

Ward found receiver Ashton Woodley streaking up the sidelines for a 24-yard score to make it 14-0 heading into the break.

The Vikings’ defence continued to force turnovers in the third quarter as they secured a fumble late in the frame, but again couldn’t capitalize. Lorenz and Cody Statham had earlier interceptions for Vanier.

Late in the fourth quarter, Peacock benefited from Vanier failing on a third down gamble and gave themselves some more breathing room with a 30-yard touchdown run by Ward to make it 22-0 with 1:44 to play.

Vanier scored their lone touchdown with just 4.8 seconds remaining when Lorenz ran in from 22 yards out to break up the Tornadoes’ shutout.

Vanier's Jayden Miller goes airborne for a catch over two Peacock defenders during Friday's game at Gutheridge Field. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Vikings head coach Ryan Gottselig said he liked the way that the team continued to fight right until the end of the game.

“That’s the stuff I’m talking about, just that belief that we can go out and battle to the last whistle with these guys and that score for our confidence is huge for us,” said Gottselig.

Throughout the week leading into the game, Gottselig said he told his players that they needed to believe that they could beat the Tornadoes, who have lost once in the past 40 games.

“Our kids all game long just battled and battled, which in years past we wouldn’t have, giving up that early score like that,” said Gottselig. “Very proud of the effort, the results not the greatest, but great effort.”

Vanier quarterback Ryan Stefanovic finished the game 11-of-27 for 115 yards and one interception. Jayden Miller was his top target with four catches for 60 yards, as well as having a big game at defensive end.

Peacock will return to the field coming up on Tuesday when they travel to Swift Current to face the Colts. Vanier is off until Saturday when they face the Central Cyclones.

The Cyclones will also be in action on Tuesday as they host the Weyburn Eagles at Gutheridge Field. Kick-off is at 4 p.m.