Treutlen Edges Out Dooly
The Treutlen County High School Vikings football team secured a thrilling 15-13 victory over the Dooly County Bobcats last Friday night, extending their win streak to 4 games. The hard-fought defensive battle, played at Bobby Driggers Stadium in Soperton, keeps the Vikings locked in a tie for the top spot in Region 4 Division II with Wheeler County.
The first half was a true gridiron struggle, with both defenses dominating. Neither team managed to reach the end zone, despite repeated drives into enemy territory. The offenses consistently drove the ball well between the 20-yard lines, only to be thwarted by untimely miscues. The Vikings had 2 golden opportunities inside the 10yard line, but a fumble ended the first threat, and an interception in the end zone stopped the second. Similarly, the Bobcats saw drives stalled by 2 Viking interceptions and a missed 45-yard field goal attempt.
The defensive pressure applied by the Vikings finally paid off early in the third quarter. On the Bobcats’ first play from scrimmage, Viking linebacker Zan Stokes forced a turnover by stripping the Dooly County quarterback of the ball, which was then recovered by Jalek Johnson. The Vikings capped off the drive as Stokes punched the ball in from 4 yards out to give Treutlen a 6-0 lead with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter. Following a Bobcat penalty, the Vikings opted for a 2-point conversion, which Stokes converted with a run, pushing the lead to 8-0.
Treutlen's momentum continued, and before the quarter ended, Stokes scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run with only 24 seconds left. Leo Brinson’s successful extra point kick extended the Vikings’ advantage to a seemingly comfortable 15-0 entering the final quarter.
The Bobcats refused to surrender and mounted a furious late-game comeback. With 5:02 left in the contest, they blocked a Viking punt and returned it 26 yards for Dooly County’s first touchdown. They tacked on the PAT to close the gap to 15-7.
Dooly County then attempted an onside kick, but the Vikings recovered the ball at their own 46yard line. Treutlen's offense tried to burn the clock but was ultimately forced to punt. Taking over deep in their own territory with just over 2 minutes remaining, the Bobcats engineered a quick drive, advancing the ball to the Treutlen 21-yard line and eventually down to the 8-yard line in the final minute.
With 48 seconds left, the Bobcat quarterback connected for a 2-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead to, 15-13. The Bobcats went for the tie with a 2-point conversion pass, but the Viking defense held strong, batting the pass down to secure the narrow 15-13 victory. The win marks the Vikings' fourth straight Region victory.
The Vikings will be back in action for another crucial Region contest this Friday night as they host the Hawkinsville Red Devils. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
