Saturday, October 13, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

Vidalia head coach Dee Faircloth didn’t know if he could pick

up his 200th career coaching victory in 2001. He thought his Vikings

would be too overmatched and undersized to compete. He needed

five wins this year.

&uot;When we started this year, I thought it might take five

more years,&uot; the 33-year Vidalia veteran said. &uot;But

the kids responded.&uot;

Faircloth got his 200th win Friday night by beating the McCall

Dragons 18-12 in a District 3-2A contest.

&uot;It’s a big monkey off my back,&uot; he said. &uot;Before

we started the year, I didn’t want anybody to know about it.&uot;

Everyone did though. After Friday’s win, players, former players,

friends and family all congratulated Faircloth on the field with

hugs and handshakes.

The win is long removed from his first one, a 7-0 victory over

Winnsboro. His assistant coach, Johnnny Lee Hoffpauir was the

quarterback then. Faircloth has also coached Hoffpauir’s sons

Josh and Jarrett, a familiar theme in Faircloth’s reign as coach.

&uot;Fifteen of my kids, I coached their daddies,&uot; he

said. &uot;It makes me feel old.&uot;

And if there’s one thing he’s instilled in Vidalia football

– the Vikings will always play hard.

&uot;Vidalia teams always play hard,&uot; he said. &uot;We

may not beat you, but we’re going to knock your tails off.&uot;