By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The Seoul Vikings won the Korea American Football Association (KAFA) Gwanggaeto Bowl in a resounding 28-3 defeat of the Seoul Golden Eagles.
In the final match of the senior league in Namyangju, Sunday, the Vikings, who won the trophy in 2005, Canadian quarterback Reid Cockburn's three touchdowns and daunting defense helped the Vikings ascend to the throne.
The Vikings will clash with the Dong-Eui University Turtle Fighters, the three-time defending Tiger Bowl winner, in the Kimchi Bowl, the Super Bowl of the KAFA, at 1 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2009 in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
The Kimchi Bowl pits the college team champion against the senior team champion.
The Vikings, which shut out the Busan Frontiers 29-0 in the semifinals, were scoreless against the Golden Eagles' defense in the opening quarter, allowing a 3-0 lead.
Cockburn, however, rushed for a touchdown midway through the second quarter and wide receiver Kim Do-hwan caught for a 16-yard touchdown from Cockburn, a native of Ontario, with seven minutes left to lead 14-3 before halftime.
The Vikings extended their advantage from the beginning of the second half, as defensive lineman Kang Byung-ho returned a fumble 18 yards for another score and Cockburn punctuated his strong display with another one-yard touchdown run in the final quarter, which sealed his Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The Golden Eagles downed two-time defending Kimchi Bowl champions the Busan Gryphons in the final four round, but failed to earn their first berth to the national championship match since 2003, when they triumphed.