Derrick Davis | The Valdosta Daily TimesLowndes quarterback Michael Barrett runs free against Valdosta during the Winnersville Classic at Martin Stadium on Friday night.

VALDOSTA — The Lowndes Vikings not only defeated their crosstown Friday night, they did so in historic fashion.

The Vikings, who opened their 2017-18 campaign ranked No. 5 by the Georgia Sports Writers Association, bombarded the Valdosta Wildcats with four second-half touchdowns and an aggressive defense to leave with a 45-0 shutout victory in the Winnersville Classic at Martin Stadium.

Lowndes’ win was the largest margin of victory by either side in the historic rivalry and snapped Valdosta’s three-game winning streak in the rivalry series that served as the regular-season debut for both teams.

“I can’t really explain it. I’ve been waiting on this my whole entire life,” Vikings safety Tymere Moore said. “Growing up in Valdosta, that’s all you hear about: Valdosta and Lowndes. So, for me, being a part of winning this time, it’s an unbelievable feeling and I wish I could have felt it at least two more times. But we came in here and we did what we had to do.

“(People) were on us, talking about how Valdosta’s done this the past couple of years. We didn’t let it phase us. We just came out here and did what we had to do, and we put it on them tonight.”

Michael Barrett ran ahead for a 5-yard touchdown midway through the third, and Marcus Gary added a 2-point conversion to put Lowndes (1-0) on top 18-0.

Lowndes’ defense flexed on Valdosta’s ensuing possession. Moore intercepted Hunter Holt’s pass on the Wildcats’ first play, setting up the Vikings’ offense on Valdosta’s 28. Barrett made easy business of things by finding Tayvonn Kyle wide open in the back of the end zone to make it 25-0.

“It’s been a dream since middle school,” Barrett said of earning the Winnersville win. “Watching all the greats come through here and do it. Watching Valdosta win it last year and the year before that. Now in my senior year, it just felt great. All of my emotions came out.”

Barrett came out of the game for good after taking a hit following a 7-yard gain. He limped off the field, but was all smiles the rest of the night. He finished 8 of 16 for 92 yards with two passing TDs. He also led Lowndes in rushing with 94 yards on 13 carries and an additional score.

J.D. Lee was the Vikings’ second-leading rusher, running for 55 yards on six carries. His patience paid off late in the game when he burst out of the backfield and down the left sideline untouched for a 38-yard score that capped the scoring.

Kyle finished with 38 yards receiving and Travis Tisdale had 31 for Lowndes. Tyson Shaw recovered a Wildcat fumble in the final seconds of the third, scooping and scoring from about 40 yards out to make it 32-0.

THEY SAID IT

“Our defense, (Valdosta) had a hard time moving the ball on them. Valdosta played hard. On behalf of our team here in TitleTown, we’ll be pulling for them the rest of the year.” — Lowndes coach Randy McPherson said of the Winnersville win.

“We told them, ‘If we don’t do anything else, we’re going to run to the ball.’ Some of those balls that got on the ground, the pick and this and that, that’s just guys giving effort. That’s the gift that God gave you, you just run to the ball. That’s where it starts, that’s why we do it every day. And I couldn’t be happier for them. They deserve it.” — Lowndes defensive coordinator Byron Slack said of the Vikings’ defensive effort.

UP NEXT

Lowndes hosts the International School of Broward (Fla.) in a non-region contest at 8 p.m. at Martin Stadium next Friday.