By Leeann Akers - Staff Writer
CNHI
September 7, 2010 —
The Vikings pushed their record to 3-0 Friday night with a 28-17 win over Estill County on the road.
The Engineers won the coin toss and drove down the field for a touchdown and an extra point. When the Vikings took possession, they used an 11-play drive to move up the field. Quarterback Adam Wing let fly a 49-yard pass to Ian McClurg for a touchdown and the Vikes kicked in the extra point to tie things up.
Estill County plodded up the field, slowly working down Rowan’s defenders. Estill took the lead once more with a TD and extra point. Wing rushed for 42 yards in the next possession to set Darrell Cross up to run one in. The Vikes set up for the extra point kick, but faked it in a two-point conversion attempt that failed.
“I am really proud of our kids’ effort,” Coach ShaDon Brown said. “Our kids are playing as a team. There are no heads down and we are playing without mistakes. When things go wrong, we just keep pushing and working hard out there.”
The Engineers’ fell one yard short of a first down on their next drive and it looked like Rowan would run out of time. With just one second left in the half, Rhett Hughes was able to nail a 34-yard field goal to take the 16-14 lead.
“We practice that one second kick every day in practice,” Brown said. “Getting that lead before the half was a big momentum change for us.”
Both teams played penalty and turnover-free in the first half, but fatigue set in during the second half.
Estill kicked a field goal early in the second half to take the 17-14 lead, but the Vikings were ready to capitalize on the Engineers’ mistakes. Rowan forced and recovered three fumbles that ultimately led to the Vikings victory. Cross ran 60 yards down right sideline for a touchdown in the third quarter and Steven Williamson rushed in the final TD of the night.
Estill County started wearing down in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings showed they were in better condition.
“We go no huddle in practice and we run so the kids can stay in shape and they can have fun on Friday nights,” Brown said. “We are ready to play four full quarters while Estill’s players were lying on the ground and getting tired. We worked on that and we were ready to pull the win out in the fourth quarter.”
Rowan racked up some impressive stats at Estill. Wing rushed 102 yards in eight carries and went 9-for-13 in the air for 117-yards and one touchdown. Darrell Cross had 19 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Williamson had eight carries for 50 yards and Keontae Moore had three for 26.
With another road win under their belts, the Vikings are looking to this Friday’s first home game of the season. Rowan will play host to Fleming County at 7:30 p.m.
