Ferriday High School’s heavy defensive front put pressure on Vidalia High School’s offense and extended the Trojans’ winning streak over the Vikings to eight-straight games, 40-8.
“We got in what we wanted to do,” Ferriday coach Dwight Woods said. “We can actually get better.”
Ferriday was out to a 22-0 lead at the half.
The scoring barrage began on the first play from scrimmage when Milak Hampton shot through a hole in the defense and ran in a touchdown from the Vikings’ 25-yard line.
On its following drive, Ferriday drove down the field and Trojan quarterback Ronald Williams delivered a strike over the middle to Carlos Collins who hauled in the pass in heavy traffic.
Vidalia had one first down in the first half after a Ferriday personal foul. The Trojans outgained the Vikings by 190 yards in the first half, holding the Class 3A school to 15 yards of total offense.
Vidalia quarterback Tristan Weatherly completed four passes for 19 yards under constant pressure from Ferriday’s front seven.
“We were just trying to buy some time to get the ball out,” Vidalia head coach Jeff Hancock said. “We just couldn’t protect … It was like going against a Division I line.”
A glimmer of hope came in the second period, when Vidalia’s defense managed to keep Ferriday scoring in the quarter.
But in the second half, Ferriday attacked Vidalia’s secondary. Williams threw 13 passes in the second half, completing five for 64 yards. Williams threw for 147 total yards in the game.
“We know as we get into district … we’re going to have the throw the ball,” Woods said. “We weren’t as efficient as we wanted to be.”
Defensively, Ferriday continued to wreak havoc. Vidalia almost completely abandoned the pass until Jordan Mays took over under center. The Vikings’ senior athlete scrambled left and connected with fellow senior Ryan Godbold with 55 seconds remaining in the game.
The Trojans held the Vikings to 65 total yards.
“It’s all of us, everybody on this team makes plays,” FHS defensive tackle Dare Rosenthal said.
Ferriday (2-1) goes on the road against Wilkinson County High School.
Vidalia (2-1) begins district play, traveling to play Bolton High School.