South Tama’s Peyton Rutlege hunts down Vinton running back Will Edwards for a loss on the play early in the first half. The Trojans defeated the Vikings 21-0 in non-district play on Friday, September 4. News-Herald/Allison Graham

By Alison Graham

Sports Editor

agraham

@tamatoledonews.com

The mood was somber as players removed their helmets to reveal sweat soaked hair before walking off the field and fans filed quietly out of the stands.

The Trojans had just beat the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings 21-0 in their second game of the season but they weren’t too much in the spirit for a celebration.

STC running back Jerry Lowe had 137 yards and scored two touchdowns both in the first quarter but the shutout win isn’t what people would remember from the evening.

Coach Jay Hoskey stated the week before that the Vikings would be a different team from the Grinnell Tigers played in the season opener and he was right. Vinton was a much more aggressive team and the game turned into a grueling defensive battle between the Trojans and the Vikings. The Trojans’ defense was led by linebacker Peyton Rutledge who racked up 10 solo tackles.

Mid way through the fourth quarter the Trojans were up 14-0 but it felt like it was still anyone’s game. Neither team could get much offense going which made it a real battle in the trenches. That was until a play unfolded that would change not only the game but potentially one players life forever.

Viking quarterback Jordan Womochil opened up for a pass that was intercepted by STC’s Kolbie Clark for a 38 yard pick 6. As the play unfolded Womochil took a hard hit that left him lying on his side with his head slightly bent underneath his body in very unnatural looking way.

STC’s trainer, Dalton Hayes, rushed onto the field before the play even finished. Womochil was injured but from the sidelines no one knew how badly. As Womochil continued to lay on the field an eerie silence fell upon the crowd. Players and cheerleaders took a knee as everyone held their breath.

As the scene played on like a clip from a movie an ambulance backed onto the field. Those working with Womochil could be heard telling him to keep his eyes open. They removed his helmet and his shoulder pads and carefully transitioned him onto a backboard into the ambulance.

It’s every parents worst nightmare as they send their young sons onto the field to play a beloved game. But this scenario was particularly difficult to watch as Womochil is the son of Vinton’s head coach Jim Womochil. After Jordan was placed inside the ambulance his father climbed in along side him and the ambulance left the stadium. The two teams gathered on their own sides of the field to offer up a quick prayer for Womochil before heading back out onto the field.

“It’s football and its a pick and he’s coming back and he was in position to make the play. It’s playing football, it’s reacting,” said Hoskey about Womochil, “It was a good clean hit, I saw it right in front of me. We are just going to pray for the young man and a lot of our kids are very concerned.”

The game came to an end a few minutes later with a final score of STC 21, Vinton 0. As the Trojans gathered for their post-game breakdown. The first thing Hoskey told his players was to pray for Womochil and the Vinton community.

As for the win, Hoskey stated “We were real fortunate. We came out and made the best of it. We went where we thought we could, and most of the time I think we are going to be able to take it up front. But it was a pretty even battle. You could see both defenses had the better end.”

A Facebook post that came on Saturday afternoon from the Vinton-Shellsburg Viking Football page stated: “Viking Quarterback Jordan Womochil is back at home after last nights injury. Thanks to all for the well wishes and support.”

The evening was a sobering reminder of how quickly life could change. And while it appears Womochil will recover it is always important to remember to live life to it’s fullest.

South Tama will be on the road again this evening to Iowa Falls-Alden for their first Class 2A District 6 matchup of the season.

STC Stats

Passing: Rosenburger 5-15;

Rushing: Chyma 1-3, Clark 1-5, Garcia 4-9, Lowe 18-137, Rosenberger 4-19, Rutledge 4-10;

Receiving: Frakes 1-4, Kellogg 1-8, Lasley-shields 1-21, Rutledge 2-16; Solo Tackles: Carrillo 3, Chyma 6, Clark 4, Davenport 2, Frakes 5, Garcia 2, Judge 7, Kellogg 2, Lasley 1, Lasley-Shields 1, Probasco 4, Rutledge 10, Schrock 7 Suchanek 5, Thede 4, Vest 1; Interceptions: Clark 1-38, Kellogg 1-0

PAT Kicking: 3-3 Kickoffs Chavarria 4-182

Punting: Lasley-Shields 5-195

Kick off Returns: Lasley-Shields 1-17

Punt Returns: Lasley-Shields 4-39