BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The North Kitsap Vikings bested the Bainbridge Spartans 42-21 Sept. 1 in their first outing of the year.

The Vikings led for most of the game, with the Spartans managing several comeback bursts throughout the contest, before a nearly packed stadium (despite the first day of school still being days away).

It was a second year in a row that North Kitsap opened its season with a win against Bainbridge. The Vikings, who finished with an 10-1 record and the O;ympic League championship last year, easily dispatched Bainbridge in last season’s opener, 52-7.

Spartans fans expected another rough night — and the Vikings were confident as they prepared to cross the bridge for the non-conference match.

“While the Vikings lost 27 seniors from last year’s Olympic League Championship team, the cupboards are certainly not bare,” Vikings Coach Jeff Weible (overall record at North Kitsap, 45-19) said in a pre-season interview.

“Our JV team only lost one game and our freshmen were undefeated. Many of those players got tons of varsity action and are now ready to step up to more time on Friday nights and continue the strong tradition of excellence on and off the field,” Weible added. “With the addition of transferred players Aiden Allsop and Tyler Sloman from Kingston, we should again be favored to compete for a league title and playoff berth.”

Returning players who made an impact for the Vikings: Ryan Brooks, All-League offensive linebacker (senior, 6-foot-2, 240 pounds); Dax Solis, All-League running back (senior, 6-foot-1, 220); and Connor Westby, All-League linebacker (senior, 5-foot-11, 215).