Sports : Tranel leads District in tackles; Vikes travel to Marion tonight

Vinton-Shellsburg senior Gunner Tranel was the Vikings' leading ball carrier last week, rushing for 145 yards and three of the team's four touchdowns in the loss vs. W. Dubuque.

Tranel has also led the team on defense. He is tied for 20th among all Iowa high schol football players, with 60 total tackles in four games, including 38 solo tackles and 22 assists. He is the leading tackler in Class 3A, District 5, and is third among all Class 3A defenders in total tackles.

See complete Game 4 stats HERE.

Coach Farley cites short-term, long-term improvement needs

Standing on the field after last Friday's 41-28 loss to W. Dubuque, Vinton-Shellsburg football coach Pat Farley said there are both immediate and long-term ways the team needs to improve.

The immediate concern, said Farley, was the "horrendous" kick-off coverage team. The long kickoff returns by Viking opponents have made it difficult for the defense to prevent them from scoring. The Vikings worked on this during practice throughout the week.

The long-term improvement the Vikings need begins in the weight room. While crediting the seniors for understanding that success on Friday nights begins with daily hard work in the weight room, Farley said some of the younger players have yet to learn that lesson.

"The last two teams we played showed that they have worked harder than we have in the weight room," said Farley.

The Vikings won their first two non-district games, but have lost their first two district games. Marion is 1-1 in district action.

Other district games tonight include:

Center Point-Urbana at Epworth, Western Dubuque

Central Clinton, DeWitt at Maquoketa

Union, La Porte City at Anamosa

The Vikings return home to play Anamosa for Homecoming next Friday; the new inductees in the Viking/Vikette Hall of Fame will be recognized then.