VALDOSTA – It may be an understatement to say the Lowndes game was exciting. It was like watching two heavyweight boxers going at it.
Newton received the ball to start the game. After a short drive, they had to punt. Newton had a mishandle on the snap resulting in a short field for the Vikings on the 13-yard line. The next play started the back and forth blows of the two teams. Tyson Harris took a hand-off for a 13-yard touchdown run.
After a few punts by both teams, Lowndes scored the next jab with a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Travis Tisdale. The Vikings attempted the two-point conversion, but it failed. With around 4 minutes left in the first quarter, Newtons passing game came alive. Myron Middlebrooks completed a long pass to the Lowndes’ 28-yard line. After a couple plays, he completed a 3-yard TD pass to Tyrese Peacock. Lowndes was only up by six points, 13-7.
With just under a minute to go in the 1st quarter, Michael Barrett completed a 47-yard TD pass to Xavier Jenkins. Tyson Harris got the two-point conversion. At the end of the first, Lowndes was up 21-7.
Travis Tisdale had a really good night rushing. At the start of the 2nd quarter, he opened the lead with a 37-yard rushing touchdown. Newton wasn’t going to go down easy. With under seven minutes to go, Newtons’ Jeremiah Holloman faked a punt and took it to the house for 76 yards, cutting the Lowndes’ lead to 14.
Michael Barrett wanted to show off his talent with throwing a 27-yard TD pass to Tyson Harris with about 5 minutes to go. Newton went into the half with the momentum after scoring the last TD before the half. Lowndes lead 35-21 at the Half.
Newton challenged Lowndes in the 2nd half by scoring two passing touchdowns. At the end of the 3rd, Lowndes lead 35-28. The 4th quarter is where it gets really good.
It looked like Newton was going to make a miraculous comeback with scoring a TD with under nine minutes to go but the PAT was blocked by Lowndes. After a couple of drives by both teams, Lowndes took over a five minute drive to secure the game after a 4th down rushing TD by Michael Barrett. Lowndes came out of a nail-biter, 42-34 against the Newton Rams.
Michael Barrett finished the night 15/18, 248 yards and 2 touchdowns. he was also the leading rusher with 10 rushes for 112 yards and 1 touchdown. Travis Tisdale finished the night with 17 rushes for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Xavier Jenkins was leading receiver of the night with seven receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown.
Lowndes plays next Friday night against Mt. Zion on Homecoming night at 8 o’clock at Martin Stadium.
