• Article Photo. Gunner Tranel (with the muffler) and other Black Squad members pose with the victory trophy.
    Gunner Tranel (with the muffler) and other Black Squad members pose with the victory trophy.
  • Article Photo. Kyra Blix and other cheerleaders accept sports drink donations at the gate.
    Kyra Blix and other cheerleaders accept sports drink donations at the gate.
  • Article Photo. Coaches watch the action during the scrimmage; the season begins next Friday at Benton.
    Coaches watch the action during the scrimmage; the season begins next Friday at Benton.
  • Article Photo. A water break...
    A water break...
  • Article Photo. The sophomores tackle a freshman runner.
    The sophomores tackle a freshman runner.
  • Article Photo. The freshman team moved the ball several yards on this play.
    The freshman team moved the ball several yards on this play.
  • Article Photo. The Muffler Trophy sits on the bench before the scrimmage.
    The Muffler Trophy sits on the bench before the scrimmage.
  • Article Photo. Principal Matt Kingsbury accepts a sports drink donation.
    Principal Matt Kingsbury accepts a sports drink donation.
  • Article Photo. Coach Randi Walker gives the cheerleaders instructions before they practice a lift.
    Coach Randi Walker gives the cheerleaders instructions before they practice a lift.
  • Article Photo. Viking football cheerleaders
    Viking football cheerleaders
  • Article Photo. Center Ryan Webster prepares to snap the ball to the QB.
    Center Ryan Webster prepares to snap the ball to the QB.
  • Article Photo. The O-line and D-line at work...
    The O-line and D-line at work...
  • Article Photo. Fumble: The ball gets loose from the White squad; the Black squad recovered it.
    Fumble: The ball gets loose from the White squad; the Black squad recovered it.
  • Article Photo. Blockers and tacklers converge as the runner seeks an extra yard.
    Blockers and tacklers converge as the runner seeks an extra yard.
  • Article Photo. Kelly Wagner kicks off for the White Squad.
    Kelly Wagner kicks off for the White Squad.
  • Article Photo. Kelly Wagners does pre-game warmups with the rest of the Viking team.
    Kelly Wagners does pre-game warmups with the rest of the Viking team.

 

     In two weeks, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings will play for a chance to ring the V-S Victory Bell.

    Next week, they will open their season in Van Horne, where they will play for bragging rights and a chance to avenge last year's 21-7 loss.

    In a few weeks, they hope to be playing to earn a spot in the post-season.

    But on Friday, they were playing for the muffler.

    Coach Pat Farley carried the muffler onto the field. He said it was found after a practice a while ago, sand-blasted and painted. It now serves the the trophy for the squad that wins during the Blowout. 

    Scrimmages between the freshmen and sophomore football teams, and between the "Black" and "White" varsity teams were the highlights of the 2001 Blowout. In addition to the football action, every other VS sports team (including cross country, volleyball and swimming) from grades 7-12 was introduced. The fifth and sixth grade football players on the V-S teams in the metro league were also introduced to the audience.  

     The sophomores used a strong running game and a long pass to defeat the freshmen their scrimmage

     Then it was the varsity's turn. The white team scored a quick lead by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the black team rallied for a  24-12 win. Two fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown made the difference in the game. Several Black team members posed with the muffler trophy after the game.

   

Girls soccer player suits up with football team

    Some of the loudest cheers of the evening were for Kelly Wagner, the kicker for the varsity White team. She was cheered when she was introduced, and the cheers got much louder when Wagner, one of the smallest players on the team, made a touchdown-saving tackle after her first kickoff. Wagner, who scored three goals for the soccer team on May 17, is in her first year of high school football. 

    Runner Nolan Edwards had eluded the other 10 white defenders on the kickoff; Wagner stood her ground and didn't get fooled by Edwards' attempts to fake left or right. The two collided, and the kicker brought down the runner, earning several compliments from the crew of former athletes who were moving the chains along the sidelines.