Sports : VIKINGS FALL TO WEST MARSHALL, 27-7

On the opening kick-off off Friday night’s District 7 football match-up between Vinton-Shellsburg and West Marshall, Viking Jose Wilson fielded the ball, broke through an initial defensive, juked to the right and proceed down the far sideline, 97 yards for a touchdown…only to have it called back for a phantom block-in-the-back call.

It was that kind of night.

In the face of what had been a tragically emotional day, the Vikings dropped a 27-7 decision to a solid Trojan squad. West Marshall led 7-0 at the half, and jumped ahead 21-0 before the Vikings broke through on a 19-yard TD pass from Brooks Erickson to Sam Griffith. 

The Vikings (2-4) played the game under the shadow of the tragic passing of classmate Mike Betterton Thursday night. Much of the team spent Friday in the high school library with each other dealing with the passing.

Erickson had another stellar night as the junior signal-called rushed 12 times for 82 yards and completed four passes for 77. Wilson added 37 yards on the ground on 10 carries while Elijah Kalous picked up 22 on four carries. John Engler caught a pair of passes for 55 yards.

The Vikings will head up the road to LaPorte City Friday night for a neighborhood battle against the Union Knights.