Sports : Late flukes sink Vikings, 18-14 to STC

Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings dropped a heartbreaking 18-14 decision to South Tama

VINTON -- A fourth quarter blocked punt and bad-bounce interception were the difference Friday night as the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings dropped a heartbreaking 18-14 decision to South Tama at a rainy Karr Athletic Complex.

The Vikings (1-2) went up 14-0 in the first quarter on a 37-yard catch and run from Brooks Erickson to Max Vasquez, and a two-yard Erickson TD run. South Tama came back with a pair of TDs to cut the margin to 14-12 at intermission.

It stayed that way until the fourth. The Vikings were forced to punt from deep in their own territory when CJ Rickels' attempt was blocked. South Tama recovered at the V-S two and scored on the next play to take an 18-14 lead.

With under five minutes left, the Trojans started a drive that took them to the Viking 17 with just over three minutes to go. But back to back penalties -- including a personal foul -- faced South Tama with a second and 32 from the Viking 39. The Trojans gained little and with 1:58 to go, they were forced to punt. But a muffed snap by the punter gave the Vikes the ball at midfield and one last chance.

On third and 12, Erickson hit Rickels for 28 yards and a first down at the STC 30 with 1:32 to go. On the next play, Erickson tried to hit tight end Ethan Rollinger with a pass near the 20. But Rollinger, the ball and a Trojan defender all met in the same spot at the same time; the ball caromed off the collision into the hands of another South Tama defender and that was the ball game.

Complete game stats will be in Saturday's update.

Friday night's photos