Sports : Vikings survive scare, overtime to defeat Benton, 18-12

Viking linemen lead the way to the end zone.

QB Lincoln Riffey passes over the arms of Bobcat Jake Deeds.

Matt Walston (45) and Daniel Ervin (32) scramble to recover an on-side fourth quarter kickoff

The Vikings stand for the National Anthem before the season opener at Benton Community.

Defensive Coordinator Aric Chvala shouts instructions.

Coach Pat Farley sends in Colton Draker (42) with the play.

Nolan Edwards sealed the win with this interception in OT.

Coach Farley told the Vikings to bring everything they had left in them to overtime.

Viking players and coaches pause for a pre-game prayer.

Nolan Edwards fights for yardage in the first quarter.

The Viking offense relies on a variety of running plays.

Matt Walston makes a stop for the Viking defense.

Gunner Tranel carries the ball on the Vikings' first possession.

This 35-yard run by Gunner Tranel (44) set up the first Viking touchdown vs. BC.

A win is a win, any way you can take it, Vinton-Shellsburg Football Coach Pat Farley told his victorious Vikings after a harrowing overtime win at Benton Community.

The Viking raced to a quick 6-0 lead on their first possession but survived several turn-overs, a 73-yard kickoff return and two missed Bobcat field goal attempts in defeating the hosts, 18-12.

Co-captains Nolan Edwards and Gunner Tranel led the Vikings on both sides of the ball. Edwards scored all 18 of the Vikings points, the first six after a 35-yard run by Tranel and a face mask penalty early in the first quarter.

The Vikings had early chances to extend that lead, but the recovery of two fumbles in Bobcat territory led only to loss of possession on downs. The Bobcats tied the game late in the second quarter on a fourth down, 13 yard run.

The Vikings scored their second touchdown late in the fourth quarter, also on a long run followed by a face mask penalty. This time it was Edwards who carried the ball, for 20 yards. The penalty put the ball on the Benton 22. Edwards scored a short time later, breaking several tackles before heading toward the goal line along the left sideline. The run gave the Vikings a 12-6 lead with just under two minutes left.

But the 73-yard return by Brandon Beaver gave the Bobcats the ball deep in Viking territory. They then tied the game on a pass from Austin Cassell to Kaleb Thomas. But the extra point attempt failed, leaving the score tied with 42 seconds left in regulation.

The Bobcats had one more chance to win the ball game. A quarterback sack led to a fumble the Bobcats recovered. But a last-second 42-yard field goal attempt landed just short of the goal post.

In high school overtime, each team gets the ball on the opponent’s 10-yard-line and four downs in which to score. The Vikings went first, and scored on an Edwards run. The two-point conversion attempt failed. But after Benton moved the ball to the 4-yard-line on their possession, Edwards intercepted a pass to seal the victory.

Coach Farley said the Vikings made many mistakes and have a lot to work on when practice resumes Monday. He credits the two captains for their role, as players and leaders.

“Without them, we don’t win this game,” he said.

The Vikings return home next week to host South Tama with their 1-0 record, and the satisfaction of avenging last years 21-7 season opening loss to Benton at home. South Tama won big in its season opener, defeating Saydel 58-23.

Game 1 leaders

The Vikings ran for 221 yards on 37 attempts. QB Lincoln Riffey completed three of seven pass attempt for 17 yards. Six different runners carried the ball. Edwards had 24 attempts for 144 yards and the three TDs. Tranel ran seven times for 60 yards.

Tranel also led the Vikings on defense. He had 14 tackles and seven assists. Edwards and Matt Walston each had three solo tackles and eight assists.

The Vikings and Bobcats both struggled with turnovers; the Vikings fumbled away the ball four times, once on an onside kickoff. The Bobcats fumbled twice and suffered the game-ending interception.