Indians Survive Pinewood

Courtesy of VHS

The Vidalia High School Indians avoided disaster Friday night when Jackson Berry hit Antonio Barron on a 40-yard pass play with 11 seconds to play in the game, to give the Indians a 29-22 win over Pinewood Academy in Bellville. With the win the Indians move to 2-1 on the year and will next face 4A West Laurens Friday night at Buck Cravey Field.

The score for Barron was his 4th of the night, with three on the ground and the game winner on his 2nd reception of the night. The senior ended the night with 227 yards on the 13 carries, and 2 receptions for 58 yards, giving him 285 yards of the Indians 309 total yards.

With touchdown runs of 75, 58, and 72 yards, Barron raised his season total to four and now has 356 yards on the ground and two more receiving touchdowns and 160 receiving yards.

The Indians got their first score of the night on their 2nd possession of the night. After stopping Pinewood on a 4th and 8 from the Vidalia 25-yard line, Barron broke three tackles and raced 75 yards for the score to give Vidalia a 7-0 lead with 4:00 to go in the quarter, following Adam Crutchfield’s PAT.

But Pinewood came right back down the field on a 5 play 80-yard drive, which was capped by a Banks Booth to Walker Todd 3-yard pass and catch. The PAT was blocked and with 8 seconds to go in the quarter Vidalia led 7- 6.

On the next Vidalia possession, the Indians couldn’t get their offense untracked and were stopped on a 4th and two from their own 28-yard line, giving the Patriots the ball deep inside Indian territory. Pinewood wasted no time, and on the first play of the drive it was Booth to Todd again, this time for 28 yards and with 8:59 to go in the half, Pinewood led 14-7 following a successful 2-point conversion.

With their backs against the wall, the Indians responded. Following the kick which gave Vidalia great field position at their own 42-yard line, Barron ripped off another long run on first down. This one was for 58 yards and with Crutchfield’s kick the score was 14-14 with 8:39 to go in the half.

The Indians got one more chance continued from page

before the half, driving the ball down to the Patriot 29-yard line, but could not convert and the half ended tied 14-14.

The Indian defense, which was under fire all night, came up big on the first possession of the 2nd half, forcing Pinewood to punt, which only netted 8 yards, giving Vidalia the ball on their 28yard line. Again, on the first play, it was Barron for the score: this time from 72 yards to put the Indians on top 21-14 with 6:23 to go in the quarter.

Again, the defense came up big and force a fumble, but the offense couldn’t capitalize and turned the ball over on downs with 11:55 to go in the game.

Pinewood then took control of the game driving 65 yards on just 5 plays, scoring on 27-yard pass with 10:29 to go giving them the lead 22-21 following a 2-point conversion.

After the Indians had to punt on their next possession, the defense came up big again. With Pinewood driving and trying to close out the game the defense held the Patriots on a 4th down at the Vidalia 12-yard line, giving the offense the ball with 1:05 to go in the game.

From their Jackson Berry and his receivers worked their way down the field with throws to Barron and Jacaree Washington on the way to the game winner with 11 seconds to go to make it 2722 following a failed 2-point conversion.

Pinewood had one chance left, but that was snuffed out by the kick coverage team who forced a safety, when Pinewood was caught in the end zone following a series of laterals giving the Indians the win 29-22.

Up next for the Indians is West Laurens, Friday night at Buck Cravey Field with the kick set for 7:30 p.m.