Dodge County Over Vidalia
The Vidalia High School Indians football team's strong start couldn't hold up against a secondhalf surge from Dodge County, who ultimately handed Vidalia a 32-13 loss last Friday night.
Vidalia’s offense looked sharp on their opening possession. Starting on their own 22-yard line, the Indians methodically moved the ball down the field. They drove deep into Dodge County territory, reaching the 17-yard line, before a promising drive stalled, resulting in a turnover on downs at the Dodge County 19.
However, the Vidalia defense stood tall, forcing a Dodge County punt. The Indians' offense got another chance and made it count. Starting on the Dodge County 35-yard line, they drove to the 9-yard line, and with under a minute remaining in the first quarter, quarterback DJ Wallace found receiver Brycen Burns for a 7-yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was missed, but Vidalia held a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle for momentum. Dodge County answered Vidalia's score with a rushing touchdown of their own, tying the game at 6-6. A Vidalia fumble deep in their own territory gave Dodge County a prime opportunity, and they capitalized with a passing touchdown to take a 12-6 lead.
The Vidalia offense refused to quit, mounting a drive in the final minutes of the half. With under a minute on the clock, Lyric McKennie punched in a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Kicker Jake Mc-Caw’s successful extra point put Vidalia back on top, 13-12, as the teams headed to the locker room. The half ended with Vidalia’s DJ Wallace intercepting a pass, adding to the promising momentum for the Indians.
However, the second half belonged almost entirely to Dodge County. They quickly took the lead, scoring on a passing touchdown just a minute into the third quarter to go up 18-13. The Vidalia defense forced a fumble, recovered by Zitavien Warner, but the Vidalia offense struggled to regain its rhythm, punting the ball away on its next two possessions.
Dodge County took full advantage of the stalled Vidalia offense, scoring two more times in the third quarter. Dodge's running back powered in a 2-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a successful point after, pushing the score to 25-13. Just a minute later, after a Vidalia fumble, Dodge County extended their lead even further with a 45-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 32-13. An interception by Dodge County on the next drive sealed Vidalia's fate.
The fourth quarter was a defensive standoff, with both teams punting the ball away multiple times. Vidalia's offense couldn't get anything going, and Dodge County was content to run out the clock. Despite a valiant effort in the first half, the Vidalia Indians couldn't overcome the scoring burst from Dodge County in the third quarter, ultimately falling 32-13.
Vidalia is now 1-4 on the season. They are off this week, and will be back in action next week on Friday at Pierce County with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
