BY KEITH KANE
CONROE—The Bryan Vikings suffered yet another disappointing loss Friday night at Conroe’s Buddy Moorhead Stadium falling to the Conroe Tigers 21-14. The Vikings jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but were unable to hold on or muster much offense after their first two possessions.
The Vikings kicked off to the Tigers to start the game and stopped the Conroe drive at the 48 yard line forcing a punt. The Vikings got the ball at their own 13 yard line and helped by a 45 yard pass completion from B-J Ross to Sterling Whitley marched 87 yards to take the early lead after a 10 yard B-J Ross run.
The Vikings also stopped the next Conroe drive forcing a punt setting Bryan up at its own 27 yard line. On the next play, B-J Ross hit a wide open Bobby Johnson for a 73 yard touchdown reception and a 14-0 lead.
It didn’t seem likely at the time, but that would be the end of the scoring for the Vikings.
After starting back-up quarterback Darrian Dock, Conroe brought in Stedman Bell, who had missed the last two games with a collarbone injury. Bell, with much better zone reads, got the Tigers’ running game going and led Conroe on their first scoring drive finishing off the drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass to fullback Derrick Wagner to cut the lead in half.
Before the first half would end, Bell would lead another scoring drive handing off to Dontrell Dock for a 2 yard touchdown dive to tie the game going into halftime.
Conroe would take the lead for good on their first possession of the third quarter on a 1 yard run by Dock.
The Vikings would mount one final drive in the fourth quarter only to have their hopes dashed with a rare Bobby Johnson fumble at the Conroe 10 yard line. The Tigers would take over and run out the clock for their fourth win of the season.
With Bell in the game, Conroe was in total control getting off 86 plays to just 42 for Bryan. Conroe would run the ball 70 times for 292 yards rushing and would add 146 through the air for 438 total yards in the game. In contrast, the Vikings would pick up only 294 yards during the game.
Bryan’s B-J Ross would complete only four passes, but for 151 yards. Bobby Johnson only got 11 rushes during the game and picked up 64 yards. Ross would also add 45 yards of his own on the ground.
Next week, the Vikings will play A&M Consolidated in the annual Crosstown Showdown game at Kyle Field. Game time is 7:30 pm with the game to be broadcast on 1150 The Zone beginning at 7:00 pm with Keith Kane and Zach Taylor.