Vikings stop Bobcats in battle of Benton County, 21-14
By Jeff Holmes
VAN HORNE – It was an Instant Classic.
Vinton-Shellsburg running back Eli Petersen capped 50-yard drive, scoring on a 7-yard run with 39 seconds remaining to give the Vikings a 21-14 win over arch-rival Benton Community Friday at Bobcat Stadium.
It was the first Vinton-Shellsburg win in the series since 2015. But Benton would not go down without a fight.
The Bobcats drew first blood and did it quickly. After forcing a Viking three and out to open the game, Benton went 58 yards on just six plays, as running back Kaden Mitchell scored on three-yard run. Drew Ballard booted the conversion and the ‘Cats were up, 7-0.
The Vikings have their own version of a running back tandem similar to one the Detroit Lions’ duo of a few years ago of Sonic and Knuckles, Jahymr Gibbs and former Iowa State Cyclone David Montgomery. The Viking incarnation of this duo has Petersen cast as Knuckles, and Isaiah Schneider as Sonic, who got them on the board before the half.
The Vikings got the ball with 3:42 to go in the first half and quarterback Landry Mouton guided a masterful drive that included a big third and nine pass to senior wide out Nile Davis, but it would be Schneider who keyed the drive.
Senior running back Isaiah Schneider had 51 yards on four carries, the last of them for 35 yards and a touchdown with 16 seconds to go in the half. Kade Sutton converted and the Vikings had tied things at 7-7.
Benton took the opening kick-off of the second half and needed less than four minutes to go 70 yards, most of it on the legs of Mitchell who capped the drive with a 23-yard run. Ballard converted and was 14-7 with 8:06 to go in the third quarter.
It would stay that way until early in the fourth quarter. After taking over on downs at their own 18 the Vikings went 82 yards on 12 plays, eating over four minutes, got a couple of big third-down conversions and a key pass interference penalty in the end zone. Mouton capped the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Reagan Salger. Sutton converted and the game was again deadlocked at 14-14.
It would come down to the final 2:22. Enter Knuckles.
After a Ballard punt, the Vikings took over at the 50 and Petersen took over in the backfield. Five plays and 50 yards later, the hard-running junior scooted around left end to put the Vikings ahead to stay with 39 seconds left. Sutton converted and the Vikings were up 21-14.
Benton made a game of it down the stretch, but Wygle came up with the pick to clinch and the Vikings had the win, 21-14.
“You got your money’s worth,” said Viking coach Joe Hadachek, who was asked why he decided to go with Knuckles on the final drive.
“There was really no methodical reason,” he said. “Isaiah was running real well, but he (Petersen), you know he just gives a spark…he’s a spark plug.”
He also praised the Viking defense.
“It’s all about getting stops,” Hadachek said. “You can give up an 80-yard drive and let them run out the clock or you can get a few stops and a give your offense a chance. Kudos to Coach (PJ Mouton) and our defensive staff.”
Schneider carried 17 times for 94 yards, Petersen added 54 (50 on the last drive), on eight carries, and Colson Chvala 22 on three.
Mouton completed nine of 17 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Davis had four catches for 50 yards.
Mitchell had a big night for the Bobcats, carrying 18 times for 112 yards and the sophomore added another 20 yards receiving. Sophomore quarterback Owen Drahos was four of 14 passing for 58 yards, while rushing 11 times for 72 yards.
The Vikings (2-1) open 2A District play next Friday night, hosting Hampton-Dumont, while the Bobcats (0-3) travel to Solon to take on the top-ranked Spartans.
VINTON-SHELLSBURG 21, BENTON COMMUNITY 14
Vinton-Shellsburg 0 7 0 14 – 21
Benton Community 7 0 7 0 – 14
B – Kaden Mitchell 3 run (Drew Ballard kick)
VS – Isaiah Schneider 35 run (Kade Sutton kick)
B – Mitchell 23 run (Ballard kick).
VS – Reagan Salger 7 pass from Landry Mouton (Sutton kick).
VS – Eli Petersen 7 run (Sutton kick)
