Adam MacDonald
WAYCROSS — Another Friday night, another dominating performance by the Lowndes Vikings.
The Vikings throttled the Ware County Gators Friday night at Memorial Stadium, 41-0.
Khary Franklin ran for a 71-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage and the Vikings never looked back.
Lowndes (3-0) outgained Ware County (1-2) 351 yards to 55 yards in the first half alone. Lowndes had a 34-0 halftime lead, and the second half was played with a running clock.
“They were ready to play,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said about his players. “They played hard, and we were able to make some plays early. The offensive line took control of the game I thought. The defense played very well.”
Lowndes fullback Robert Anderson had 13 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Anderson’s night was highlighted by an 84-yard rumble in the second quarter in which he broke at least five tackles on his way to the end zone. Anderson had 12 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
“I knew I had to have a big game, and after the first touchdown I felt like I was in the zone,” Anderson said. “I tried to run through as many tackles as I could. I kept running and tried not to go down. We have region next week so I was trying to get ready for region.”
After Franklin scored a touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage, Telvin Smith made a great leaping interception deep in Gator territory on Ware County’s first drive. Three plays later Franklin broke through a hole on the left side and dashed into the end zone for an 18-yard score.
It was another shock and awe start to a game for the Vikings. Last week they took a 14-0 lead on Peachtree Ridge 32 seconds into the game.
After Franklin’s two touchdowns, Anderson scored on two of the next three drives for the Vikings.
“We were able to get the fullback going,” McPherson said. “Anderson is a tough kid. He ran hard, and he had some good blocking.”
Troy Braswell picked up the Vikings’ final touchdown of the first half from one yard out with 45 seconds left.
While the Vikings’ wing-T offense was on track, the defense was smothering. Ware County had a tough time running on the Vikings defensive line, and the secondary was hitting receivers so hard that the ball was popping out for incompletions.
Ware County only gained 102 yards of total offense and didn’t have a prolonged drive until late in the fourth quarter. Lowndes’ offense wracked up 421 total yards, including 382 yards on the ground.
Franklin finished with four rushes for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vikings have now outscored their opponents this season 167-28.
Lowndes will begin its Region 1-AAAAA schedule next Friday when it travels to Moultrie to take on the Colquitt County Packers.
