News : Vikings drop opener to BC, 21-7

Gunner Tranel breaks up a pass early in the game.

Coach Pat Farley speaks to his team during an early time-out.

Matt DeVries tackles a Bobcat runner, who fumbled but recovered the ball.

Logan Williams carries the ball for the Vikings.

Although the varsity team lost to BC, the sophs won, 36-0, and rang the victory bell.

For most of the night Friday, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings moved the ball from one 15 yard line to the other. Trouble was, they couldn't get any further.

Coach Pat Farley's Vikings dropped their season opener Friday at Karr Athletic Complex, dropping a 21-7 decision to arch-rival Benton Community.

The Vikings drew first blood in the contest. With 8:45 to go in the first quarter, V-S quarterback Lincoln Riffey hit wide receiver John Lippman with a 45-yard touchdown pass. The conversion was good, and Vikes were up, 7-0.

Benton tied the game with just 39 second left in the first quarter, then added a Zach Tvedt TD with 1:18 to go in the half to carry a 14-7 lead.

The second half was frustrating for the Vikings. A Lippmann interception ended BC's only drive across midfield in the third quarter. The Vikes drove then drove to the Bobcat six-yard line before the drive bogged down.

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings again mounted a solid drive, but it again ended short of the end zone, this time at the 15.

Benton drove the final nail in with 51 second left on another Tvedt run to bring the final count to 21-7.

The Vikings will take to the road next Friday night with a trip to Tama to take on South Tama.

Check back to Vinton Today for update throughout the weekend.