No. 2 Lowndes aims to clip Mt. Zion in non-region finale

Published 7:55 pm Thursday, October 5, 2017

VALDOSTA — Before the Lowndes Vikings sprint into Region 1-7A competition, they have one more non-region challenge ahead of them.

The No. 2-ranked Vikings host Mt. Zion-Jonesboro at 8 p.m. Friday at Martin Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 22, but was postponed due to Hurricane Irma.

The Vikings (6-0) had their toughest first-half test of the season in last week’s 37-6 win against Class 5A’s Ware County in their regular-season road opener.

Michael Barrett found Tayvonn Kyle over the middle and Kyle went 40 yards to give Lowndes a 7-6 edge to end the first quarter. Barrett connected with Travis Tisdale on another throw to the middle in the second quarter for a 43-yard TD, and Gary Osby’s 2-yard dive made it 20-6 at the half. It was Lowndes’ slowest start since taking a 10-0 halftime lead against Valdosta in their season opener.

Lowndes seeks a faster start as it returns home to host the Bulldogs (1-4), who lost 44-19 to Lovejoy last week. Getting off to a solid start, Mt. Zion’s senior running back David Odom scored on a 45-yard TD run. Lovejoy followed with four consecutive scores to put the game out of reach at 30-7 at the half.

Mt Zion’s lone win came against Drew on Sept. 14. Losses came against Morrow, McIntosh and Jonesboro.

The Vikings held Mt. Zion to 186 yards of offense in last year’s meeting, a 49-13 romp. Mt. Zion had only 82 yards of offense at halftime before Lowndes went to its bench to start the second half.

The defense had one of its more dominant performances in the win against the Bulldogs. Safeties Tymere Moore and Fred Stewart each had interceptions.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Kyle was named offensive player of the week after his five receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns against Ware County. …Moore’s six solo tackles and first-half interception earned him defensive player of the week honors. …kicker Ashton Musgrove made a 43-yard fourth-quarter field goal and four extra-point kicks to garner top special teams honors.

TICKETS

Vikings season ticket holders need to use the pink Mt. Zion ticket for this week’s game. The pink ticket will be the only ticket accepted at the gates.

Tickets will be $10 each at the gates. Reserved seat tickets are $8 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Board of Education annex on Norman Drive from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

SPECIAL NIGHT

The Mt. Zion game will be senior night for football players, cheerleaders and ROTC seniors. They will be recognized in a pregame ceremony.

It will also be military appreciation night. All active duty and retired military personnel will be admitted free to the visitors’ side of Martin Stadium, including spouses and school-age children. Active duty and retired military personnel will need to show ID at the visitors’ gate to enter free of charge.

RANKINGS

There was little movement in this week’s Georgia Sports Writers Association Class 7A high school football poll.

Grayson and Lowndes remained at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, after staying unbeaten and continuing to rout opponents.

Archer remained third, Tift County fourth, South Forsyth fifth and Colquitt County sixth.