• Article Photo. Jordan Womochil completed 8 of 10 passes.
    Jordan Womochil completed 8 of 10 passes.
  • Article Photo. Tanner Spies caught six passes for the Vikings Friday.
    Tanner Spies caught six passes for the Vikings Friday.
  • Article Photo. Nick Hyland's 60-yard TD run gave the Vikings a 21-20 lead during Friday's game at S. Tama.
    Nick Hyland's 60-yard TD run gave the Vikings a 21-20 lead during Friday's game at S. Tama.
  • Article Photo. This is often the view opposing defenders have of Nick Hyland, as they try to catch up.
    This is often the view opposing defenders have of Nick Hyland, as they try to catch up.
  • Article Photo. Logan Davis (31) helps block for Nick Hyland.
    Logan Davis (31) helps block for Nick Hyland.
  • Article Photo. Joel Barnes (44) blocks for Nick Hyland downfield.
    Joel Barnes (44) blocks for Nick Hyland downfield.
  • Article Photo. Tyler Rippel (6) defends against a ST pass.
    Tyler Rippel (6) defends against a ST pass.
  • Article Photo. Sean Noeller (7) deflects a Trojan pass.
    Sean Noeller (7) deflects a Trojan pass.
  • Article Photo. Tanner Spies and Jordan Barnes make room for Nick Hyland to run.
    Tanner Spies and Jordan Barnes make room for Nick Hyland to run.
  • Article Photo. Senior captains: Chase Overton, Logan Davis, Tanner Spies and Andrew Freeman.
    Senior captains: Chase Overton, Logan Davis, Tanner Spies and Andrew Freeman.
  • Article Photo. Logan Davis runs upfield after making a reception.
    Logan Davis runs upfield after making a reception.
  • Article Photo. Senior Tanner Spies set up a Viking TD with this long gain on a pass play.
    Senior Tanner Spies set up a Viking TD with this long gain on a pass play.
  • Article Photo. The sun sets behind the VS huddle at South Tama early in the varsity game.
    The sun sets behind the VS huddle at South Tama early in the varsity game.

The Vinton-Shellburg football team started too slowly, said coach Jim Womochil, as he described the Vikings 26-21 loss at South Tama on Friday.

The Trojans scored on their first two possessions and kept the Vikings deep in their own territory until the middle of the second quarter, building a 13-0 lead. 

"It took us a quarter and a half to get going," said Womochil.

But, said the coach, the team never gave up.

"We are a young team that kept fighting until the end," he said.

Down 20-7 at the half, the Vikings scored twice to take a 21-20 lead. 

But one more touchdown drive by the Trojans put S. Tama up 26-21. The Vikings had one last chance to win the game, but the Trojans intercepted a pass with less than 40 seconds left to seal the win.

The Vikings begin District play next week at  winless Oelwein before the Sept. 20 Homecoming game vs. Western Dubuque. 

The Vikings did have some reasons to celebrate successes. Two passes from sophomore QB Jordan Womochil to senior Tanner Spies set up the Vikings' second TD. And sophomore Nick Hyland's 60-yard TD run gave the Vikings their only lead of the game. 

Coach Womochil praised the play and leadership of seniors Tanner Spies and Andrew Freeman. Freeman assisted in 12 tackles and played so well on the offensive line that he drew the post-game praise of the opposing coach. Spies, whom Womochil called "the best-kept secret in Class 3A," caught six passes for 83 yards and made many key blocks to help clear a path for Hyland on outside runs. 

See stats HERE.