“We gave up a couple plays on defense, but other than that, we were lights out,” Lowndes coach Randy McPherson said.

Cox’s 18-yard pass to Dimittris White, coupled with a Vikings’ pass interference, set up Ware County’s second and final touchdown of the night. With 4:18 left in the third quarter, Derrick Daniels rushed in the end zone for 2 yards, preceding an extra point by Zack Griffin.

Following the touchdown and the arguable interference call, the Vikings hollered to each other, never falling behind.

Getting the ball on their own 31-yard line, the Vikings marched don the field, sparked by a 32-yard run by Reid, to go into the fourth quarter on the Gators’ 1-yard line.

Four seconds into the final quarter, Devon Simmons punched the ball in from the one, to give the Vikings the lead for good.

The Gators attempted the comeback, throwing 15 passes, and running the ball just four times in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t put more than five completions together.

On the night, the Gators threw the ball 27 times, connecting just 14 for 143 yards.

On the Vikings’ next drive, Reid took control, rushing the ball twice for 56 yards, in a 76-yard drive.

On his second big run on that drive Reid broke loose, beating a defender with a spin move to score from 33 yards out with 6:07 left. Willis’s extra point ended the scoring at 28-14 in favor of the Vikings.

After a nine-play drive by Ware County, that concluded with three straight incompletions, including a highlight break-up by Gerald Demps, the Gators gave the ball back to the Vikings.

Demps’ defensive mate, Michael Copeland, essentially ended the game, sacking Cox in the backfield, allowing Lowndes to kneel the last three plays.

“It was a total team effort,” McPherson said. “Our kids never quit, never doubted and trusted the game plan. We beat a good football team.”