Vinton County fails to avenge themselves, loses to Warren for second year in a row
By: Grayson Wolf, Jack Demmler
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VINCENT, Ohio (WOUB) — A vengeful Viking squad traveled to Warren High School with hopes of avenging last season’s loss and eliminating them from playoff contention.
Behind another standout performance from Warrior running back, Jason Williams, and a heartbreaking injury to the Vikings leader, Zeke Molihan, the Warriors kept the Vikings at bay 20-13.
Before the injury occurred, Molihan opened things up early for Vinton County on their opening drive by keeping the ball on the read option, taking it 39 yards to the crib to give an early 7-0 lead.
After both teams shared scoreless drives, the Warriors responded courtesy of a Jason Williams 70-yard touchdown run to tie it up at the end of the opening quarter.
Warren would keep their foot on the gas as Trent Taylor would connect with Tanner Pepper who took it the rest of the way for a 61-yard touchdown.
Taylor would follow that up with a quick pass to Williams who took it 85 yards for the third Warrior touchdown. Following a missed point after attempt, the Warriors would hold a 20-7 lead.
Late in the second half, Molihan would scramble to his right and look to take it himself.
However, after being taken down out of bounds, every heart in the stadium stopped as Molihan didn’t get up.
Coaches, medical staff, and family members rushed to his aid as Viking players knelt in prayer, hoping for the safety of their QB1.
After an extensive period of care, a stretcher was rolled out and prepped for Molihan to be transported to the ambulance.
As Carper returned to the sideline, he called his team together.
“How are you going to handle the adversity? How are you going to handle now that Zeke’s down?” Carper said. “We are going to see who this Vinton County team is … Zeke’s going to be okay … but it hurts to see that.”
As Molihan was set on the stretcher with an air cast on his right foot, the entire Vinton County team came to his side to show support.
Taylor made sure to share his best wishes to his competing quarterback as Molihan was carted off.
The Vikings responded with a Layne Haybron second half touchdown but would be unable to erase their deficit.