Sports : CPU edges Vikings, 28-27

The Vikings honor the flag during the National Anthem.

Chris Merchant carries the ball for the Vikings.

Tranel led the Viking offense again Friday evening.

It took more than one CPU defender to tackle Tranel.

Darren Charlier scored two on this fake PAT kick for an 8-6 Viking lead.

Brandon Roseberry led the CPU offense, and scored on this play.

A hush fell over the Vinton-Shellsburg crowd late in Friday’s game vs. Center Point-Urbana.

The Vikings were down by a touchdown and Gunner Tranel had carried the ball to the CPU two yard line. But when the other players got up to return to their huddle, Tranel remained on the ground gesturing to his injured left knee. After several tense minutes, Tranel got up and limped to the sideline.

Coach Pat Farley called on junior Chris Merchant, who carried the ball in for a touchdown on the next play.

The score left the Vikings behind by one, 28-27, with less than two minutes to play. Coach Farley elected to go for a win rather than enter overtime without Tranel. He called Merchant’s number again. This time, the CPU defense stopped him just short of the goal line to preserve their win.

A long run by Tranel set up the Vikings first touchdown, on a run by Tranel. Darren Charlier carried in the two-point field goal on a fake PAT kick to give the Vikings an 8-6 lead with nine minutes left in the second quarter.

Long runs by Tranel and Merchant put the Vikings inside the CPU 5 yard line later in the second quarter, setting up David Ervin’s touchdown run. The kick attempt, by Kyle McAbee, who had returned from a foot injury, was wide left, leaving the score 14-6.

But CPU junior Brandon Roseberry’s runs, along with a long pass, put CPU deep in Viking territory. Roseberry tied the score with a touchdown run, and by carrying in the two-point conversion. Roseberry gave CPU a 20-14 lead on a third quarter touchdown run. In the past two CPU games, both wins, Roseberry racked up more than 350 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

On the next Viking possession, a fourth down handoff to Tranel kept the drive alive, leading to a 21-14 lead for the Vikings; Tranel carried the ball across the goal line again.

Roseberry again led the CPU comeback, scoring his last touchdown on a 25-yard run.

The Vikings fall to 3-4 and 1-4 in district play. After starting their season with five losses, the Stormin' Pointers have won two straight and are now 2-5 and 2-3 in District 5 action.

Next week, the Vikings make the long road trip to Dewitt, where they will play Central High School.

Other area Friday scores:

Central Clinton, DeWitt 18, Marion 6
Maquoketa 42, Anamosa 7
Union, La Porte City 42, Epworth, Western Dubuque 17

Benton, Van Horne 23, Clear Creek-Amana 20

Next week's schedule:

Anamosa at Center Point-Urbana
Epworth, Western Dubuque at Maquoketa
Marion at Union, La Porte City
Vinton-Shellsburg at Central Clinton, DeWitt

Benton, Van Horne at Mount Vernon

See Class 3A standings HERE.