Seth Hamrick (#20) breaks free from a Big Red defender on his way to scoring for the Vikings.

Point after attempt breaks Ripley’s heart as comeback falls just short

RIPLEY –- The Vikings returned home for the final time this season to face a Parkersburg Big Reds team that was assured of finishing the season below .500. Despite a tough loss at George Washington the previous week, Ripley still had reason to believe they could vanquish the Big Red machine.

The resulting battle was one of the most entertaining games of the season.

Parkersburg opened up the scoring in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Chris Row to go up 7-0 with 6:18 remaining in the first stanza.

The Vikings marched down the field on their ensuing possession and knotted the game at seven apiece on a four-yard touchdown scamper by Seth Hamrick with 2:31 remaining in the first quarter.

Big Red quarterback Derek Wenzel scored for Parkersburg with 7:31 remaining in the half on a 17-yard run. The extra point made it 14-7 Big Reds.

But Ripley wasn’t finished with the first half.

Adam Rutter drove the ball into the end zone from three yards out with just 54 seconds remaining to send the teams to the locker room knotted at 14 points each .

The third quarter opened up with both defenses tightening. The only points of the quarter came on a 33-yard field goal by the Big Reds. The teams entered the final quarter with the score 17-14 in favor of Parkersburg.

Ripley drove down the field as the fourth quarter opened. The drive culminated with a 24 yard field goal by Thomas Motes to knot the score for the third time at 17 points each.

With 2:23 remaining in the game, Parkersburg’s Derek Wenzel scored for the second time, this one from 15 yards out, to put the Big Reds up 24-17.

Ripley then went to work, driving down the field in the final two minutes. Scotty Ullom scored from five yards out with just 44 seconds remaining, sending the Memorial Stadium faithful into a frenzy.

Then tragedy struck, as the extra point clank off the goal post, and the Big Reds escaped with a 24-23 win.

The heartbreaking loss leaves the Vikings 3-6 on the season with one game remaining against Ravenswood. Parkersburg ends their season a disappointing 4-6, but with reason to be hopeful for next year.

Game notes: The Vikings finished with 20 first downs in the game . . . Ripley amassed 304 total yards for the contest . . . Ripley rushed the ball 35 times for 143 yards . . . Seth Parsons went 18-for-26 passing for 161 yards, but was intercepted three times . . . Seth Hamrick led the Vikings with 20 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown . . . Matt Mellert led three Viking players with five or more catches on the game with six catches for 62 yards . . . Jeff Walls snatched five passes for 45 yards . . . Scotty Ullom nabbed five balls for 40 yards . . . Ripley finishes their season by taking on county rival Ravenswood this Friday in the annual Hatchet Game at 7:30 p.m.

story by Scott Hutton (shutton@jccitizen.com)

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