VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA – A week after allowing 26 points in the fourth quarter, the Lowndes Vikings responded by taking their frustrations out on the Pebblebrook Falcons.
The Vikings came out firing on all cylinders in their second game of the season, crushing the Falcons 47-7 on Friday night at Martin Stadium.
It was clear domination by the No. 2 team in the state from start to finish. Lowndes piled up 414 yards of offense to Pebblebrook’s 119 yards. Vikings quarterback Cole Parker completed 5 of 6 passes for 156 yards and four touchdowns.
Pebblebrook’s lone score came on a 45 yard run by quarterback C.J. Goodman against the Vikings’ JV squad in the fourth quarter.
“It felt good,” Vikings coach Randy McPherson said. “We worked hard all week. The kids came out and played hard. They played the whole game.”
The Falcons knew it was going to be a long night when the Vikings shot themselves in the foot with three penalties on their first drive but still scored on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Parker to Josh Clemons on a third-and-23.
“We were playing tough, we needed that momentum and we let that big play happen,” Falcons coach Randall Smith said. “We worked all week on stopping big plays. If they were going to beat us we wanted them to work for it. For a quarter and a half we did that.”
The Vikings’ wing-T attack was unstoppable, both on the ground and in the air. Early in the second quarter the Vikings marched 44 yards on 12 plays – all rushes – and reached the end zone on a three-yard run by Troy Braswell.
Later in the quarter the Vikings only needed one play to score. Parker heaved a pass to Kenneth Durden, who made an easy catch and took it 61 yards for a score when the cornerback covering him back pedaled and fell down. It was Parker’s third touchdown pass on five attempts in the first half. He also connected with Kendall Coleman on a 23-yard strike.
Lowndes led 33-0 at the half. The Vikings outgained the Falcons 247 yards to 29.
The second half was more of the same. Parker and the starting offense only played one series in the third quarter, but they made it count. Parker hit Coleman again on a 10-yard play-action pass for a touchdown. Mike Moore added a 25 yard touchdown run.
It’s just the game the Vikings were looking for after last week’s near implosion against South Gwinnett.
“We bounced back,” Parker said. “We had a really good week of practice. The o-line did an excellent job tonight. I never got touched. Good things happen when I have time back there. I’ve got some kids who will go get the ball. Great o-line, great receivers. They made me look good.”
Meanwhile, the Falcons couldn’t muster any offense against Lowndes’ stifling defense. The Falcons ran the ball three times for minus-three yards on their first series, and it didn’t get much better.
On their second drive, Goodman fired a first down pass to get the offense going. The Falcons moved out of the wing-T and into the spread, but that quickly backfired as Goodman launched a pass way over his receiver and into the hands of Carey Stanley.
It was that kind of night for the Falcons. Even with Lowndes’ Division I safeties Tyler Hunter and Geraldo Orta out with injuries, the Vikings didn’t miss a beat. Backup strong safety Tiquan Lang played a solid game, and free safety Mikeon Padgett had his second good game in row.
“That was big,” McPherson said. “Lang had a great night. Padgett played well. We feel comfortable with those kids in the game, we really do.”
Justin Wilson registered seven tackles and Carey had five tackles.
Coleman led the Vikings receivers with three catches for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Vikings’ passing game took the pressure off of Braswell, who only carried the ball nine times for 36 yards.
For the Falcons, Goodman completed 3 of 10 passes for 26 yards. He carried the ball six times for 47 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons are 0-1.
“It’s part of growing up,” Smith said. “We want to grow our program and we have to know what No. 1 looks like. We do. We know where to go and what to work towards now. This was a growing experience for the Pebblebrook Falcons. We were excited to be here, and we enjoyed the atmosphere.”
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Related Photos
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Jonathan M. Chick | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes High junior Mike Moore (1) runs the ball during the game against Pebblebrook Friday Night against Martin Stadium.
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Jonathan M. Chick | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes High defensive lineman DeAngelo Edmonds (65) gets the tackle during the game against Pebblebrook Friday night at Martin Stadium.
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Jonathan M. Chick | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes High tight end Kendall Coleman (80) catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against Pebblebrook Friday at Martin Stadium.
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Jonathan M. Chick | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes High wide receiver Josh Clemons (25) looks for the ball after a tipped pass during the game against Pebblebrook Friday at Martin Stadium.
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Jonathan M. Chick | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes High wide receiver Josh Clemons (25) looks for the ball after a tipped pass during the game against Pebblebrook Friday at Martin Stadium.
Discussion
Vikings respond, hammer Falcons
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