• Article Photo. Logan Williams crosses the goal line to give Vikings a 20-10 lead at CPU.
    Logan Williams crosses the goal line to give Vikings a 20-10 lead at CPU.
  • Article Photo. Nolan Edwards carries the ball for the Vikings.
    Nolan Edwards carries the ball for the Vikings.
  • Article Photo. Forest Peters (54) and Gunner Tranel wrap up CPU's Logan Driesen.
    Forest Peters (54) and Gunner Tranel wrap up CPU's Logan Driesen.
  • Article Photo. Luke Kearns (76) tackles QB Sebastian Hollandsworth for a big loss late in the game.
    Luke Kearns (76) tackles QB Sebastian Hollandsworth for a big loss late in the game.
  • Article Photo. Viking rushers surround the CPU quarterback again.
    Viking rushers surround the CPU quarterback again.
  • Article Photo. Gunner Tranel (unseen above) tackles a CPU runner for a loss.
    Gunner Tranel (unseen above) tackles a CPU runner for a loss.
  • Article Photo. Logan Williams ends up in the end zone again for another touchdown run.
    Logan Williams ends up in the end zone again for another touchdown run.
  • Article Photo. Andrew Roster (18) leaps high to deflect a pass.
    Andrew Roster (18) leaps high to deflect a pass.
  • Article Photo. Andrew Roster makes a tackle.
    Andrew Roster makes a tackle.
  • Article Photo. Forrest Peters pursues the CPU quarterback, leading to a sack by a teammate.
    Forrest Peters pursues the CPU quarterback, leading to a sack by a teammate.
  • Article Photo. Anthony Yerkes (99) brings down CPU's Logan Driesen.
    Anthony Yerkes (99) brings down CPU's Logan Driesen.
  • Article Photo. Gunner Tranel (44) carries the ball as others in VS backfield block or fake CPU defenders.
    Gunner Tranel (44) carries the ball as others in VS backfield block or fake CPU defenders.
  • Article Photo. Forming a wall: Travis Libbert (3) and Anthony Yerkes (99) make room for the VS run attack.
    Forming a wall: Travis Libbert (3) and Anthony Yerkes (99) make room for the VS run attack.
  • Article Photo. Another leg tackle by Gunner Tranel.
    Another leg tackle by Gunner Tranel.
  • Article Photo. Tranel takes another hand-off.
    Tranel takes another hand-off.
  • Article Photo. No. 44 makes another backfield tackle for the Vikings.
    No. 44 makes another backfield tackle for the Vikings.
  • Article Photo. Matt DeVries scores the final TD for Vikings in their 52-17 win at CPU Oct. 8.
    Matt DeVries scores the final TD for Vikings in their 52-17 win at CPU Oct. 8.
  • Article Photo. The Vikings gather for the pre-game prayer at CPU.
    The Vikings gather for the pre-game prayer at CPU.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings improved their playoff chances on Friday moving up in the District 5 standings after their biggest victory of the year. They won 52-17, at Center Point-Urbana, spoiling Homecoming for CPU.

The victory moved the Vikings into fourth place in the District with two weeks left in the schedule. The top four teams advance to the playoffs.

Union and Marion are tied atop the District 5 standings. They square off Friday at Marion with the District title on the line.

Maquoketa and Vinton-Shellsburg are tied at 3-2 in the district, but Maquoketa places third because of the point differential tie-breaker. DeWitt Central and Western Dubuque have District records of 3-2, but still have playoff hopes. Winless CPU and Anamosa play this week.

Early CPU lead

CPU took an early 3-0 lead after a good kickoff return and a few long runs led to a field goal. 

Nolan Edwards, however, quickly put the Vikings ahead for good; he returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. 

Logan Williams scored on two first half touchdown runs, the second one late in the second quarter that followed a 49-yard pass from Lincoln Riffey to John Lippman.

Center Point scored its only first half touchdown on a fumble during an attempted Viking punt that a CPU defender ran into the end zone. 

The first half ended with the Vikings ahead, 20-10.

The Vikings quickly extended that lead to 34-10 in the third quarter. Williams and Gunner Tranel each ran the ball in for a touchdown.

Tranel later added a 56-yard scoring run, Williams crossed the goal line again and Matt DeVries recorded the final touchdown as the Vikings scored 35 points in the second half. The Vikings kept CPU from entering Viking territory after the Stormin' Pointers scored their final touchdown early in the fourth.

The Vikings return home next Friday to host DeWitt Central before ending the regular season at Union. 

District 5 Schedule, Oct 15

Center Point-Urbana at Anamosa

DeWitt Central at Vinton-Shellsburg

Maquoketa at Western Dubuque

Union at Marion

District 5 Schedule, Oct. 22

Anamosa at Western Dubuque

CPU at DeWitt Central

Marion at Maquoketa

Vinton-Shellsburg at Union