• Article Photo. Chase Overton hands the ball to Nick Hyland.
    Chase Overton hands the ball to Nick Hyland.
  • Article Photo. Sean Noeller (7) and Jordan Womochil (20) help break up a WD pass.
    Sean Noeller (7) and Jordan Womochil (20) help break up a WD pass.
  • Article Photo. Eric Studer tackles a WD ball carrier.
    Eric Studer tackles a WD ball carrier.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Tanner Spies made several big plays for the Viking offense.
    Tanner Spies made several big plays for the Viking offense.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Vikings enter the field for the Homecoming game.
    Vikings enter the field for the Homecoming game.
  • Article Photo. Sophomore game: John Betterton pursues a WD runner.
    Sophomore game: John Betterton pursues a WD runner.
  • Article Photo. Nicholas Funk (81) and John Betterton pursue a Bobcat ball carrier.
    Nicholas Funk (81) and John Betterton pursue a Bobcat ball carrier.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. John Betterton made several key offensive and defensive plays for the Viking sophomores.
    John Betterton made several key offensive and defensive plays for the Viking sophomores.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Sophomore cheerleaders perform Friday.
    Sophomore cheerleaders perform Friday.
  • Article Photo. Chase Werderman (42) recovered this WD fumble for the VS sophomores.
    Chase Werderman (42) recovered this WD fumble for the VS sophomores.

Vinton-Shellsburg took an 18-13 lead into the final quarter of its Homecoming football game vs. Western Dubuque on Friday. But the Vikings, playing without running back Nick Hyland, gave up 22 points in the final quarter. The Bobcats won, 35-18.

"I feel like this is a game we could have won," said coach Jim Womochil. 

Yet, he said, the Vikings are a young team, and when a player like Hyland sits out with an injury (Hyland injured his knee in the third quarter), the Vikings feel the impact of the loss.

With Hyland on the bench, the Vikings fumbled on two consecutive plays. The first fumble rolled forward for a Viking first down. The Bobcats, however, recovered the second one and drove for the go-ahead touchdown. 

QB Chase Overton and WR Logan Davis also missed some of the game because of injuries.

The Vikings (2-2, 1-1 in Class 3A District 5 games) travel to Independence this week.

Hyland had a 90-yard run that set up a Viking touchdown. Tanner Spies led the Vikes with 142 yards of total offense.

See complete stats HERE.