Sports : Vikings find positives, areas to improve, in disappointing loss to S. Tama

Eric Studer blocks for Nick Hyland; the Vikings lost 17-14 at S. Tama.

It was clear in the locker room, said Vinton-Shellsburg football coach Jim Womochil, that losing to South Tama -- even though the Trojans had entered Friday's game ranked 14th in Class 2A -- was not acceptable to his players.

Standing outside that locker room after his team's 17-14 loss Friday night, Womochil gestured toward the facility and said, "In there I saw tears. I saw disappointment."

The Vikings out-gained the Trojans, 313 yards to 260, and led 7-0 at one point. But a field goal by Trojan senior Adrian Castanon -- the first of his high school career -- gave the Trojans a 17-14 lead with 1:20 left to play. The Vikings then moved the ball to the S. Tama 30, but time expired before they could score again.

Despite the loss, the Vikings showed some promising improvements.

Womochil was happy with the Vikings' physical play, especially on defense. He said going into the game that VS coaches knew the Trojans were a more physical team than last year. The Viking defense, however, rose to the challenge. Also, said the coach, the Vikings were able to pass the the ball well, especially early in the game.

Senior Warren Rouse led the Vikes with 12.5 total tackles; sophomore Drew Wiley performed a rare feat for a lineman, intercepting a pass.

"We forced them to try to do some other things," said Womochil.

Yet, said the coach, the loss also highlighted areas for improvement, including special teams coverage (a Trojan punt return for a touchdown was called back because of a penalty for illegal blocking). Also, the offense needs to work on its 2-minute drill, said Womochil.

"We gave up some sacks and held on to the ball too long," he said.

This season is now the third in a row that the Vikings have begun with a win over Benton followed by a loss to south Tama.

The Trojans also won the freshman/sophomore game, 12-6.

Next year, the Vikings begin district action against Charles City, a team it has not played in recent memory. Charles city also is 1-1; the Comets defeated Osage, 29-21, then lost to New Hampton, 34-20.

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