Sports : Vikes can\'t overcome slow start, lose 26-21 at South Tama

Jordan Womochil completed 8 of 10 passes.

Tanner Spies caught six passes for the Vikings Friday.

Nick Hyland's 60-yard TD run gave the Vikings a 21-20 lead during Friday's game at S. Tama.

This is often the view opposing defenders have of Nick Hyland, as they try to catch up.

Logan Davis (31) helps block for Nick Hyland.

Joel Barnes (44) blocks for Nick Hyland downfield.

Tyler Rippel (6) defends against a ST pass.

Sean Noeller (7) deflects a Trojan pass.

Tanner Spies and Jordan Barnes make room for Nick Hyland to run.

Senior captains: Chase Overton, Logan Davis, Tanner Spies and Andrew Freeman.

Logan Davis runs upfield after making a reception.

Senior Tanner Spies set up a Viking TD with this long gain on a pass play.

The sun sets behind the VS huddle at South Tama early in the varsity game.

The Vinton-Shellburg football team started too slowly, said coach Jim Womochil, as he described the Vikings 26-21 loss at South Tama on Friday.

The Trojans scored on their first two possessions and kept the Vikings deep in their own territory until the middle of the second quarter, building a 13-0 lead.

"It took us a quarter and a half to get going," said Womochil.

But, said the coach, the team never gave up.

"We are a young team that kept fighting until the end," he said.

Down 20-7 at the half, the Vikings scored twice to take a 21-20 lead.

But one more touchdown drive by the Trojans put S. Tama up 26-21. The Vikings had one last chance to win the game, but the Trojans intercepted a pass with less than 40 seconds left to seal the win.

The Vikings begin District play next week at winless Oelwein before the Sept. 20 Homecoming game vs. Western Dubuque.

The Vikings did have some reasons to celebrate successes. Two passes from sophomore QB Jordan Womochil to senior Tanner Spies set up the Vikings' second TD. And sophomore Nick Hyland's 60-yard TD run gave the Vikings their only lead of the game.

Coach Womochil praised the play and leadership of seniors Tanner Spies and Andrew Freeman. Freeman assisted in 12 tackles and played so well on the offensive line that he drew the post-game praise of the opposing coach. Spies, whom Womochil called "the best-kept secret in Class 3A," caught six passes for 83 yards and made many key blocks to help clear a path for Hyland on outside runs.

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