The Latta Vikings opened the 2013 football season on the road Friday night with a 33-28 loss to Wagener-Salley’s War Eagles.

RJ McClam led the Vikings with three touchdowns in the first half and Donell Stanley punching holes in Wagener-Salley’s defense, but the War Eagles came alive in the second to keep McClam and the Vikings at bay. The Vikings also had trouble with their passing game, with quarterback Kel Williamson only connecting on 2 of 8 passes for 14 yards while Malcolm Stroman connected on five of 12 passes for the War Eagles for 170 yards. Nijae Jerry also completed two passes for the War Eagles for 64 yards.

In the first quarter, McClam scored on a 45-yard touchdown on Latta’s first play and Chase Ray kicked in the extra point to put the Vikings up 7-0. The War Eagles tied things up on a 4-yard run from Eric Corley and an extra point from Malcolm Stroman.

In the second, McClam scored again on a 32-yard run. A successful kick from Ray put the Vikings ahead 14-7. But Stroman connected with Bobby Chavis on a 65-yard touchdown pass to leave the War Eagles trailing 14-13. A two-point conversion run failed, but Stroman would strike again on a 13-yard run to pull ahead 19-14.

McClam wasn’t done yet, though, running in a 74-yard kickoff return to give the Vikings the lead once more. Latta’s Trevonte Paige followed up with a 31-yard fumble return, and a two-point conversion pass put Latta ahead 28-19 at the half.

But a more aggressive War Eagles team returned to the field for the third, shutting down the Viking offense and stepping up their own. Wagener-Salley’s Corley scored on a 27-yard run to put the War Eagles within three points of the Vikings, and Nijae Jerry completed a 40-yard pass to Stroman to give them the lead. The two-point conversion was good and neither team could score in the fourth, leaving the final score at 33-28.

McClam rushed 28 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns with Kartilus McFadden rushing four times for 16 yards and Jackson Williams rushing once for three. Corley rushed 18 times for the War Eagles for 112 yards and a touchdown and Stroman rushed 11 times for 41 yards.

The War Eagles’ Chavis caught one 65-yard touchdown pass and Stroman caught two passes for 64-yards. RJ Tyler received twice for 51 yards and Kyiian Miller caught two passes for 54 yards. For the Vikings, Jackson Williams caught two passes for 14 yards, and Davonte Porter made two interceptions.

While the Vikings continue to show improvement on the field, Head Coach Kelly Williamson said the Vikings will be looking to improve on some things heading into Friday’s game. The Vikings will be hosting East Clarendon at 7:30 p.m.