Sports : Vikings defeat Benton, prepare to face S. Tama at home

Joel Barnes sealed the victory by gaining the Vikes final first down at Benton on this play.

Barnes also recovered a fumble for the Vikes.

Nick Hyland led the Vikes in rushing and also caught a 15-yard TD pass.

Jordan Womochil was 5 of 10 passing, for one TD.

The Vikings celebrate as Womochil crosses the goal line on a QB sneak.

In each of the first three V-S football seasons under head coach Jim Womochil, the Vikings have begun their season with a win over Benton, followed by a close loss to South Tama.

Ending that streak will be tougher this year, as the Vikings prepare to face the highly-ranked Trojans, who made the second round of the playoff last year in Class 2A, and return 19 of last year’s 22 starters.

“It’s going to be tough. They’re ranked No. 5 in the state,” said Womochil, after the Vikings’ 14-13 win over Benton Friday in Van Horne. The Trojans defeated Grinnell, 38-8, last week.

One key to beating the Trojans, said Womochil, is containing tailback Jerry Lowe, who ran for 120 yards on just five carries vs. Grinnell, including a 54-yard touchdown.

‘Quality win’

The Viking victory over Benton was a “quality win,” said Womochil, who says the Bobcats have significantly improved this year.

The Viking offense, behind linemen that Womochil calls “the heart and soul of our team,” also had a productive night in very rainy conditions. Joel Barnes ran for 101 yards on seven attempts. Nick Hyland caught a 15-yard touchdown pass and carried the ball 31 times for 181 yards, a 5.8 yard average. The Vikes compiled 84 yards passing and 373 yards on the ground. QB Jordan Womochil was five of 10 on pass attempts.

On defense, linebackers Wes and Will Edwards led the Vikes; Will had 8.5 total tackles and Wes recorded 8. The Vikings allowed 121 yards passing and 118 rushing.

For both teams turnovers in the slick conditions were problems. The Vikes lost two fumbles and an interception, but also recovered one Benton fumble.

Womochil said the Vikings need to improve their special team coverage. Their only punt attempt was blocked and Benton nearly returned a kick-off for a touchdown as the first half ended. On the positive side, senior Austin Bohnsack made both of his PAT kick attempts.

The Vikings scored both of their touchdowns in the first half, following the 15-yard pass to Hyland with a QB sneak from inside the 1.

Benton scored once in each of the last two quarters, but a missed PAT with just over three minutes left gave the Vikings a 14-13 lead and they were able to run out the clock.

See the VS stat page HERE.

See game photos HERE.