Sports : Womochil era begins with big win on Benton\'s new turf

Max Kearns (24) leaps to intercept a pass in the end zone.

Viking QB Chase Overton looks for running room against Benton; the Vikings won 48-0.

Grant Sagan (21) dives to recover a Bobcat fumble.

Kelyn Rickels scored two touchdowns against Benton Community in Coach Womochil's first game at VS.

Chase Overton completed a pass on the Vikings' first play of the Coach Womochil era.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings began the era of coach Jim Womochil with a big win on the kind of field he envisions for his home turf, and the kind of offense that includes “passing when we want to, not when we have to.”

The Vikings defeated Benton Community 48-0, on the new turf at Van Horne. The Benton Community project (including the turf and all-weather track) cost more than $1 million; Womochil said finding funding for such a field in Vinton is part of his five-year plan for the Viking program.

The Vikings passed on their first play of scrimmage, and two quarterbacks completed passes. A toss from Grant Sagan to Max Kearns made the score 21-0 just before the end of the first half. Kelyn Rickels scored the Vikings’ first touchdown, Max Griffith intercepted a Bobocat pass in the endzone and Sagan also recovered a fumble.

Chris Merchant rushed for two touchdowns and also scored on a touchdown pass in the second half. The Viking offense racked up 250 yards rushing and more than 80 yards in passing. Senior Cody Sojka, in his first year as place-kicker, connected on six of seven PAT kick attempts.

The defense used two fumble recoveries inside the Viking 10-yard line and an endzone interception to help preserve the shut-out.

Next week, the Vikings return home to play South Tama.

See complete Week 1 stats HERE.