VHS Trounces Raiders, Honors John Koon
Vidalia High School’s young football team took care of business early on Friday night against a winless Bacon County team. The Indians jumped to a 36-0 halftime lead, allowing plenty of time for the school to honor one of the best play-by-play men at halftime. John Koon, who has left Indian fans with plenty of on-air memories through the years, was calling his last football game at Buck Cravey Field. It was also a night to honor senior QB Bryce Davis, who set the school’s single season passing record during the game. After senior kicker Tate McDaniel recovered his own onside kick to give the Vidalia offense great starting field position on the Red Raider side of midfield, Davis took it to the visitors from Alma. On the first play of the game, Davis kept left and zig-zagged all the way across the field before being pushed out of bounds on the home side of the field inside the 20. Three plays later, leading his team in hurry-up mode, he kept again and found an opening off tackle over the left side for a touchdown. The score stayed at 6-0, though, when the Indian’s try for 2 points came up short. Only 52 seconds had rnn off the first quarter clock. Davis added another touchdown later in the first quarter, this time from 11 yards out with 3:51 left on the clock. Tate McDaniel kicked a conventional extra point for a 13-0 lead. Davis was also involved in Vidalia’s next three touchdowns, but these came by air. First, he found a wide open Kaleb Bennett near the sideline, where Bennett trotted the rest of the 16 yards into the endzone. Davis ran the 2-point conversion in to give the Indians a three TD lead with 7:31 left in the first half.
The second TD pass was a short one, as Davis found sure-handed Jacaree Washington on a 1-yard hitch route just over the goal line. Kaleb Bennett ran in the 2-point conversion to make it 29-0 with 3:32 left in the half.
Vidalia wasn’t done though. On their last possession of the first half Davis faded back and hit speedy Jordan Powell right down the seam. Powell outran the pursuit for the rest of the 65 yards for the touchdown with just 5 seconds left on the clock.
McDaniel came in and kicked the PAT to give Vidalia a 36-0 halftime lead.
With a running clock in the second half, the Indians did take their foot off the acelerator and substituted freely.
The Indians almost got on board when freshman Joshtin Troup, another speedster, took the second half kickoff and split and outran the pursuit to the end zone. A penalty flag for blocking in the back nullified the TD.
The Indians still drove toward the goal line though, and Troupe got his first varsity touchdown on a 4-yard sweep play. Troupe’s touchdown and McDaniel’s PAT gave the Indians their final points of the night. Bacon County got a late 31-yard field goal from Adam Meza to avoid the shutout, leaving the final score at 43-3. Davis had a fantastic night on what could be his final game on his homefield. He completed 8-of-9 passes for 181 yards and 3 TD’s. Davis also had 78 yards rushing on only 6 carries.
The Indians will close their regular season at Swainsboro and will be on the road for the first game of the state playoffs, probably against Putnam County of Eatonton. The War Eagles are 9-0 and will be the number 1 seed out of Region 4-AA.
There are some rules for entry to the Swainsboro stadium. Swainsboro has implemented some protocols for the game Friday night including a clear or mesh bag policy for all of their football and basketball events. All spectators will have to abide by the clear or mesh bag policy. Also, please be advised that upon entering the stadium all spectators will be checked using metal-detecting wands.
Vidalia fans will park on the visitor's side and utilize the gate at the far end of the stadium. All tickets are $8.00 and must be purchased through GoFan at gofan.com/app/ events/399085?schoolID= GA6655.
Freshman Joshtin Troup cuts toward the end zone on a sweep and heads toward the camera to score his first varsity touchdown at Vidalia.Photo by John W. Conner
