Verot outlasts East Lee 38-28
East Lee County and Bishop Verot squared off in a game that was a throwback to old fashioned football. The teams amassed nearly 600 rushing yards between them and some timely defense by the Vikings earned them a tough 38-28 victory over the Jaguars.
Both teams showed a powerful ground game early. Following a Verot punt, the Jaguars marched 66 yards on nine plays, with the runningback trio of Octavious Lee, Trell Seay and Lothario Adderly doing the damage. Each carried the ball often and Adderly plunged in from one yard out to finish the drive. The extra-point attempt was blocked and the visitors held a 6-0 lead.
That lead was shor lived as Verot put together a march of its own. Runningback William Scott, returning from a two-game school imposed suspension, wore out the Jags defense. Scott carried for six of the eight plays and capped the drive with a blistering 31 yard run.
An interception at midfield put the Vikings back in business. Again the rushing attack was featured and the four-play drive ended when Cooper Gibson coasted into the end zone from five yards out. Chris Heidt added the extra point and the hosts led 14-6.
Although the visitors had great field position following the kickoff, the offense failed to pick up a first down. Verot wasted no time, on the second play of the drive it was Scott again. This time he broke free and scorched the defense for a 45-yard TD run and a 21-6 lead.
The Jaguars were not going away. They put together an impressive drive with Adderly and Trell Seay running relentlessly over the defense driving the ball to the Verot 2. Octavious Lee then took the handoff and burst into the end zone.
With time running out in the first half, the opportunistic Jags defense created a turnover at the Verot 44. Again using two tailbacks, East drove to the Verot 6, but on the final play of the half the defense came up with an interception at the goal line to nullify the threat.
Much of the same and quickly was how the third quarter started. Seay burst through the middle for a 29-yard gain, but fumbled at midfield and the Vikings recovered. Two plays later it was Scott again. This time breaking tackles and tearing through the Jags for a 44-yard tally.
Adderly carryied the ball four consecutive times finally shaking tackles en route to a 28-yard score to pull within 28-20.
Riding Scott and Gibson, the Vikings marched to the 11 before a brave defensive stand forced a 28-yard field goal by Chris Heidt.
Verot coach Bill Shields certainly knew this game was far from over. Encouraging his defense from the sidelines, Shields must have thought the breakthrough his defenders were looking for had come. The Jaguars muster ed only two yards on their next three offensive plays. Then Adderly stepped up again. This time he shredded the defense for a 62-yard touchdown run. Trell Seay added the two-point conversion and the contest was close again at 31-28.
Tasked with holding onto the ball and running down the clock, the Vikings began their next drive. Playing conservative and relying on what got them this far, the Vikings steadily ran the ball right into the middle of the defense until they got that next big play. This time it was tailback Deven Thompkins, who picked up a block and coasted down the left sideline to seal the win 38-28.
Adderly finished with 189 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort. Scott led the way for the Vikings with 177 yards and three TDs.
Next week, the Vikings host Mulberry in a district contest.