NORTHWOOD — As the snow fell Wednesday night, so did the Vikings’ post season chances.

The West Bend-Mallard football team defeated Northwood-Kensett 26-24 Wednesday in the first round of the 8-Man playoffs at Northwood. The loss ended Northwood-Kensett’s season.

The game was close down to the final seconds, which has been the case between the Vikings, (7-3, 5-1 District 3), and the Wolverines in their last few games against each other.

“The last three times it’s come down to the last minute every time, and it was the same tonight,” said Northwood-Kensett coach Dave Capitani. “We just had too many mistakes and weren’t able to convert on extra points.”

The Vikings were the first to score with a 3-yard touchdown run by senior Keano Batton in the first quarter. The touchdown was then answered by the Wolverines, with neither team scoring any extra points to end the first quarter in a 6-6 tie.

Batton ran for one yard for another touchdown in the second quarter. West Bend-Mallard quickly answered back, but scored an extra point to lead Northwood-Kensett 13-12 at halftime.

The Vikings were the only team to score in the third quarter with a 27-yard run by senior Dawson Van Ryswyk.

The Wolverines scored two touchdowns and one extra point in the fourth. Junior Thomas Fick caught a 16-yard pass from senior quarterback Joshua Einertson. With seconds left the Vikings attempted a two-point conversion that would’ve tied the game and sent it into overtime, but were unsuccessful.

As far as looking toward next season, Capitani said the biggest change will be the 11 seniors the Vikings will lose after graduation.

“There will be a lot of different faces next year,” he said. “We’ll continue to work on how to get better and get stronger.”

Capitani wished nothing but the best for his senior players following Wednesday’s game.

“They’re a great group of kids. They worked hard and played hard,” he said. “There’s a lot of good character and I’m extremely proud of them.”