AKRON – The Tippecanoe Valley football team remains in control of its own destiny in terms of a bid for a conference championship.

But, it wasn’t easy for the Vikings to remain undefeated in Three Rivers Conference play Friday night.

The hosts built a seemingly comfortable halftime lead and then held off Northfield for a 28-26 league victory.

Valley, winners of four in a row, improves to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in TRC action. Northfield drops to 1-4 and 0-3.

The Vikings got out of the gate to a 14-0 lead Friday night. Justin Gunter scored on a 24-yard run and Chris Torpy raced in from 31 yards out for the hosts.

Valley built its halftime lead to 28-12 as Torpy scored on a three-yard run and Jacob Ritchey caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Ben Shriver.

The Vikings, who beat the Norsemen 34-0 a year ago, did not score in the final half.

Northfield got a 65-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Josh Bickel in the third quarter and a three-yard touchdown run from Alec Wells in the final stanza to make things interesting. Andy Roser had 21 carries for 101 yards to lead the Northfield offense.

Gunter led the Valley attack by rushing for 118 yards on 13 carries. Torpy picked up 54 yards on seven carries. Shriver was 11-23 for 124 yards through the air for the Vikings.

Austin Curless scored on a 61-yard run and also threw a touchdown pass for Northfield.

Valley plays at winless Wabash next Friday night in another TRC matchup.