When you have a 2,000-yard running back in your backfield, chances are the passing game will not be needed much. But Vidalia High needed to air it out Friday in a first round playoff contest against East Beauregard, which concentrated on stopping Viking running back Dariel Mays.

Vidalia junior quarterback Jarrett Hoffpauir was more than up to the task, completing 13 of 21 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ 47-14 win.

For his efforts, Hoffpauir, who also had two fumble recoveries, is The Natchez Democrat Player of the Week.

&uot;We knew they would be concentrating on stopping Dariel,&uot; Hoffpauir said. &uot;Coach (Faircloth) had been saying we were going to put it up because their defensive backs were not very strong. With the receivers we have, it’s just a matter of putting it out there for them. And our line gave me all the time in the world to block.&uot;

Hoffpauir has completed 83 of 126 passes for 1,319 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Mays rushed for 103 yards in the win.

Leren Curry led the Viking defense with 13 tackles, while Justin Seals added 11.

Ferriday’s Corey Gordon ran for three touchdowns and Aron Thomas threw for two more as the Ferriday defeated Vinton 36-31 in the first round of the playoffs.

Gordon had 27 carries for 182 yards while Thomas completed six of nine for 91 yards.

Wilkinson County’s Henry Harris had a 95-yard kickoff return in the Wildcats’ 26-18 first round playoff win over Velma Jackson.

William Mealey had scoring runs of 8 and 1 yard.

Matthew Tolbert of Centreville had scoring runs of 73, 32 and 14 yards in Centreville’s 34-13 MPSA South State 3A win over Simpson.