Football Game Preview: Challis Vikings vs. North Gem Cowboys

The Challis Vikings will venture away from home to square off against the North Gem Cowboys at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

As a matter of fact, Challis put up the most points they have all season on Friday. They blew past Watersprings, posting a 60-12 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Vikings.

Owen Thayn

Passer Rating

10/03/25 vs Watersprings	119.4
08/22/25 vs Sho-Ban	110.4
09/26/25 @ Mackay	101
08/29/25 vs Hagerman	17.9

Owen Thayn had an outrageously good game as he threw for 171 yards and four TDs on only 13 passes, and also rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown on only ten carries. His passing game has become a key predictor of Challis' success: the team is undefeated when his passer rating is 100 or higher, but only 0-4 otherwise.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Challis was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 410 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since the start of last season.

Challis didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Teage Erickson.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for North Gem, who bounced back after a loss on the road back in September. They blew past Mackay 52-14 on Friday. Considering the Cowboys have won four contests by more than 19 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

This one was won in the trenches and the lion's share of the credit has to go to Craig Yost and Clay Johnson. Yost rushed for 177 yards and a pair of scores on only 15 carries while Johnson rushed for 95 yards and three TDs on only 12 carries. Yost's longest rush was for an impressive 67 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total.

Challis' record is now 3-4. As for North Gem, their record now sits at 4-2.

Challis skirted past North Gem 40-38 in their previous matchup back in September of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Vikings since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.