Vidalia, Bolton play for postseason berth

Published 12:02 am Wednesday, October 31, 2007

VIDALIA — It all comes down to one game.

The Vidalia Vikings (4-5, 1-3 District 3-3A) must capture a win this Friday against Bolton to advance to the playoffs.

The Vikings are coming off of an important 38-6 win over Avoyelles.

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“Winner takes all,” Vidalia coach Dee Faircloth said. “The loser goes to basketball.”

Vidalia is ranked No. 31 in the LHSAA Power Ratings while Bolton is No. 30. The top 32 teams in the power ratings make the playoffs unless bumped out by a district winner not in the top 32.

The Vikings are looking to end a streak of two consecutive losing seasons after enjoying a run of success in the early 2000s.

Returning to the team for Friday’s game will be lineman Frank Duson, who has been out for two games due to an illness.

“Frank is one of our best linemen,” Faircloth said.

Vidalia will use multiple quarterbacks once again this week, with Trey Barnes and Kevin Johnson both seeing action.

“We’re going to have to go out there and play hard,” Faircloth said.

Bolton (4-5, 3-1 District 3-3A) is also coming off of an upset win over the Bunkie Panthers in overtime.

“These two teams (Vidalia and Bolton) are very similar,” Faircloth said. “It’s going to be a good one.”

Bolton is also one of the high schools Faircloth attended when he was in school.

“The last time I was there was 47 years ago,” Faircloth said. “It was one of my stops.”

The game is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Bolton.