By Tiara Battle | Valdosta Today Sports Contributor
VALDOSTA – After Lowndes’ close game against Newton last Friday, the Vikings were more than ready to come into this game and dominate entirely, putting the game away early before the second half even began.
The Vikings won 49-13 in a lopsided game. Lowndes received the ball to start the first half. Within the first drive of the game, Lowndes’ quarterback Michael Barrett passes a dart to running back JD Lee for a 12-yard gain. On the very next play, Barrett keeps the ball on a quarterback keeper for an 18-yard gain.
On what would be the first of many touchdowns for the Vikings that night, Barrett hits wide receiver, Tayvonn Kyle for a 35-yard touchdown, making the score 7-0 after the PAT. On Mt. Zion’s first drive of the game, Lowndes’ stout defense keeps them on their own 36-yd line. The bulldogs found themselves having to punt only after one minute and 53 seconds of possession.
Lowndes second offensive drive was more than productive. On the very first play, Barrett lobs one deep to wide receiver Xavier Jenkins for 52 yards and a Viking touchdown. After the PAT, Lowndes goes up 14-0. After yet another empty drive by the Bulldogs offense, the Vikings would take over again at their 37-yard line.
This next drive would be all Barrett. He rushed for 38 yards on three carries within the first few plays. He tops it off with an eight-yard pass to wide receiver Tyson Harris that would put the Vikings within the five-yard line. Running back Travis Tisdale would end the drive with a five-yard touchdown run putting the Vikings up 21-0.
With Mt. Zion’s next offensive drive, Lowndes secondary would make their presence known as defensive back Fred Stewart grabs an interception and returns it for 37 yards, putting Lowndes’ offense in a good position to score. The next drive was not looking too good for Lowndes’ offense to start, but the Vikings would take a gamble and go for a fourth and six. Barrett keeps the ball for an eight-yard run, gaining more than enough yards to earn a fresh set of downs.
Barrett would then get a pass to Kyle, for a 18-yard gain, which would lead to a four-yard touchdown run by Lee, give the Vikings a 28-0 lead before the second quarter. Lowndes next offensive drive would end with a two-yard carry by running back Jaylon Bell, creating a 35-0 lead. Leading up to the score was a long 50-yard pass by Barrett to wide receiver Tyson Harris.
For the rest of the first half, it was the same story over and over. Lowndes’ defense picked up two more interceptions. Justin Smith would intercept the second one. The third would be intercepted by Tymere Moore and returned for 8 yards. Linebacker, Tommy Owens led the defense with seven tackles.
To add even more to Lowndes’ defense, nose guard Devon Holmes even got a sack. Holmes was also crowned Homecoming King at Halftime. Jeffrey Davis was also a part of the homecoming court and racked up three tackles for the night.
After the first half, Lowndes’ defense kept the Bulldogs at only six points with a nine-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Cory Turner to receiver, Demaje’ Carter. Lowndes’ cornerback Brenthony Carter blocks the extra point. Lowndes’ varsity offense finished their very last touchdown drive of the game with an eight-yard carry by Tisdale, putting the Vikings up 42-6 and would be done for the night, as junior varsity would take over for the second half.
Barrett finishes 8/11 for 230 yards with two touchdowns and 37 yards rushing. The leading rusher of the night was Lee at 74 yards and one touchdown. Although Tisdale and Bell didn’t get as many reps, Tisdale ended the night with two rushing touchdowns and Bell had one. Receiver, Kyle, led receivers with 108 yards receiving and a touchdown. Jenkins also finished with a touchdown. Topping it off for the last score of the game for the Vikings, junior varsity quarterback Adam Tedder takes the ball for a two-yard touchdown run.
The Bulldogs last score of the game would be an 80-yard touchdown run by their quarterback, Turner, against Lowndes’ second string defense.
Lowndes plays next Friday night against Ware County at eight o’clock in Martin Stadium.
