Vinton County runs through Alexander to maintain win streak
By: Donovan Varney, Jack Demmler
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MCCARTHUR, Ohio (WOUB) — Friday night’s TVC-Ohio conference matchup between the Alexander Spartans and Vinton County Vikings proved to be an exciting one. The Vikings showcased an impressive game on the ground, storming through the Spartans for a 48-14 victory.
Kick returner Layne Habron got things started for the Vikings with a 40-yard return well past midfield to put his offense in good starting field position. After a first down, Vikings QB Zeke Molihan ran from nine yards out for his first touchdown of the night. An offsides penalty on the PAT set the Vikings up to go for two, where Molihan converted on a sneak up the middle.
After a huge special teams mistake on the Spartans kickoff, Vinton County gets the ball back for another drive. It didn’t take long for the Vikings to get back on the board with RB Layne Habron rushing in for an 18-yard touchdown. A missed PAT made the score 14-0.
Alexander looked to respond as they got the ball for their first possession of the game, but did not capitalize. The Vikings defense held them to a quick three and out.
Later in the first quarter, RB Garrett Brown set the Vikings up to score with a big run down to the two-yard line. Molihan found the endzone again for his second touchdown of the quarter. The Vikings wrapped up the first quarter with a score of 21-0.
Desperate to respond, Alexander had another quick drive that ended with a fumbled snap on the punt. Vinton County took the ball over inside the Alexander 20-yard line.
The Vikings capitalized on another special teams mistake for the Spartans with another Molihan touchdown run. The score was 28-0.
Both defenses stood their ground and forced the opposing offense to give the ball away. Alexander QB, Jordan Schulz, struggled to get the Spartans offense going through the air.
The Vikings next drive was all Garrett Brown as he ran the offense down the field for another score before halftime. After a blocked PAT, the score was 34-0.
The Vikings defense showcased a strong secondary against the Spartans air-raid offense and forced them to go three and out again.
Molihan got things started for the offense with a 14-yard pass to WR Matt Hembree for his first completion of the game. He then finished the drive off on his feet with a 17-yard touchdown, his fourth of the half. The score was 41-0.
With 41 seconds to go in the half, Schulz and the Spartans completed two big receptions to get inside the five-yard line. The Spartans were unable to capitalize before halftime.
Molihan got the second half started with a nine-yard touchdown run that tied the Vinton County single-game touchdown record.
The Spartans defense stepped up and kept the Vikings scoreless in the fourth quarter. The Spartan offense also responded by finally getting on the board with an 11-yard passing touchdown from Jordan Schulz to WR Brody Montgomery.
Then, with four seconds remaining in the game the Spartans got on the board for the last time of the night with a 23-yard pass from freshman QB Alex Bateman to WR Wyatt Layton. The final score was 48-14.
The Vikings dominated the game on the ground with Brown’s impressive stat line of 17 rushes for 173 yards and one touchdown. Also with a monster game on the ground was Molihan with 14 rushes for 103 yards and tying a school record with five touchdowns.
Schulz finished the game with 12 completions in 29 attempts. He added one touchdown and one interception.
The Vikings (4-2, 3-0) are going to try and continue their four game win streak next week against Warren.
The Spartans (4-2, 2-1) look to get back in the win column at home next week against River Valley.