PORT BARRE, La. &045; The Vidalia Vikings did their best run-and-shoot impersonation, attempting 22 passes, but managed only one touchdown in a 27-7 loss to Port Barre in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Port Barre stopped the Vikings cold on its opening drive and then took the ball 54 yards to open the scoring with a Josh Thomas run.

Thomas had three touchdowns on the night for the Red Devils.

Vidalia answered that score with one of its own on the ensuing drive.

After starting at their own 30, the Vikings drove methodically down the field, picking up five first downs and eating up clock.

Running back Leroy Butler took a sweep to his right and walked into the end zone, tying the game at 7-7.

The Vikings held the Port Barre offense in check.

&uot;They did a good job keeping the ball away from us in the first half,&uot; Port Barre head coach Donnie Perron said.

The second half was a different story.

The Red Devils’ Marcus Miles took the kickoff back 31 yards to set his team up with excellent field position at their own 48.

From there, the Red Devils marched down the field, eating up more than six minutes and scoring a touchdown that it put them ahead for good at 14-7.

&uot;We moved the ball well in the second half. I thought when we made that long drive and scored, it helped us get up a little and took a little out of them,&uot; Perron said.

The Red Devil defense also woke from its slumber and stopped the Vikings cold.

Vidalia had only three first downs in the second half, one of those courtesy of a Port Barre penalty.

The Red Devils forced three turnovers and improved their tackling, which had been suspect in the first half.

&uot;We picked up the intensity, and the defense started forcing some turnovers,&uot; Port Barre’s Josh Thomas said.

Vidalia head coach Dee Faircloth said his team was beat in the trenches. Without adequate blocking, Vidalia couldn’t run the ball or pass it effectively.

On defense, the Vikings couldn’t get any penetration behind the line, letting Red Devil running back Travis Tate get into the secondary before he was tackled. Tate had 111 yards in the game, more than the entire Vikings team had on the ground.

&uot;We just got whipped, that’s the ball game,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;They just beat us on the offensive and defensive lines all night long.&uot;

The Vikings took to the air more than they had at any point this season, attempting 22 passes. For usually run-heavy Vidalia, the sudden passing attack was a shock. Port Barre’s Perron said his coaching staff was surprised the Vikings threw the ball so much.

&uot;We felt like we could pass on them,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;But we couldn’t pass block. You can’t pass block, you can’t pass.&uot;

Vidalia had some success passing, notably three completions on their touchdown drive, but three second-half interceptions were costly. One led to a Port Barre touchdown and another that ended a Viking drive late in the game.

Port Barre will advance to face Rayville next week.

Rayville beat Fisher 28-14 Friday night to advance to the second round.