Sports Notebook, Monday

· 2 min read
Sports Notebook, Monday
The C.J. Ham family. Vikings.com

Vikings Notebook

C.J. Ham is on the menu for the holidays.

The Vikings are slated to host a Christmas Day game for just the third time in franchise history.

Minnesota's matchup against the Detroit Lions is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. (CT) kickoff on Netflix.

Christmas Day matchups have been rare for the Vikings. This will mark just their fifth time — and the first in Minnesota since facing the Bengals 1989, the NFL's first regular-season game ever played on the holiday.

The only other time the Vikings hosted on the holiday was against the Cowboys in a Divisional Round playoff game on Dec. 25, 1971.

Minnesota is just 1-3 in Yuletide contests and will look to better that record this year.

The Vikings most recently had a Christmas Day game in 2020, when they traveled to New Orleans and fell to the Saints.

Maybe a Thursday game will be the key? The Vikings have previously played Christmas Day games on Saturday, Monday, Sunday and Friday.

Tuesday Local Sports Events

Section 7AAA Prep Baseball

Chisago Lakes (11-11) vs. Hermantown (10-11), 11 a.m. in North Branch (winner advances to face Rock Ridge at 1:30 p.m., also in North Branch)

Section 7AA Prep Baseball

Duluth Marshall (19-2) vs. Esko (20-2), 1:30 p.m. in Superior

Pequot Lakes (10-11) vs. Proctor (15-8), 4:30 p.m. in Superior

Pequot Lakes-Proctor winner vs. Duluth Marshall-Esko loser, 7 p.m. in Superior

Wednesday Events

Section 7AAA Prep Baseball

Championship vs. Grand Rapids (16-7), 1 p.m. in North Branch (Second game at 3:30 p.m., if needed)

Thursday Events

Section 7AA Prep Baseball

Championship, 5 p.m. in Superior (Second game at 7 p.m., if needed)

Duluth FC Notebook

Unbeaten Duluth FC will host 1826 Academy in a Minnesota Super Cup men's soccer match on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Walt Hunting Stadium in West Duluth. The BlueGreens are 3-0-0 in the National Premier Soccer League.

Prep Athlete of the Week

Hermantown sophomore Martin Sleen finished first in the 100 and 200 and anchored the Hawks' 400 relay team in the Section 7AA track and field finals on Saturday in North Branch.