Vikings Seize Victory With Last-Second Stand
On a thrilling Thursday night at Bobby Driggers Stadium, the Treutlen Vikings football team secured a dramatic 27-22 victory over the Wilkinson County Warriors. The win, sealed by a last-second pass breakup in the end zone, marks the first time since 2019 that the Vikings have started the season with a 2-0 record.
The Vikings' defense set the tone early, intercepting a pass on the second play of the game. Though the offense couldn't capitalize, the defense remained opportunistic, forcing another turnover just moments later. Treutlen finally broke the scoring drought when Kavion Peeples connected with Zan Stokes for a 30yard touchdown pass. With a successful PAT from Leo Brinson, the Vikings led 7- 0.
After a Wilkinson County kickoff return for a touchdown was negated by a penalty, the Vikings' defense held strong once more, stopping the Warriors on downs at the Treutlen 15-yard line. The Vikings offense then found their rhythm again, as running back Chris Meza-Avilla broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run. Another successful PAT by Brinson gave the Vikings a comfortable 14-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half began continued from page
with a jolt, as a fumbled handoff by the Vikings was scooped up and returned 25 yards for a Wilkinson County touchdown, cutting the lead to 14-8. The Warriors then tied the game on a 42yard touchdown pass, though the Vikings' defense stopped the twopoint conversion to keep the score knotted at 14.
Treutlen regained the lead in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Peanut Tobler, and Brinson’s PAT made it 21-14. The Vikings' defense came up big again with an interception near the goal line, but the offense couldn't move the chains. Facing a punt from deep in their own territory, the Vikings intentionally gave up a safety to make the score 21-16 and give the Warriors a longer field.
The strategy backfired, as the Warriors quickly scored on a 30yard touchdown pass to take their first lead of the night, 22-21, with just over a minute remaining. But the lead was shortlived. Just 20 seconds later, Zion Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a spectacular touchdown, putting the Vikings back on top 27-22. The Warriors, however, had one last chance. They moved the ball deep into Treutlen territory in the final seconds, but the Vikings' defense held strong, batting down a pass in the end zone as time expired to secure the hard-fought victory.
The Vikings will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Alma this Friday to face Bacon County at 7:30 p. m.
