Published December 16, 2007 05:11 am - It’s official. For the third time in four years, Lowndes High can say it has the best AAAAA football team in the state of Georgia.
Lowndes claims state title, 34-6
Vikings win third championship in four years
By Chris Walsh
VALDOSTA — It’s official. For the third time in four years, Lowndes High can say it has the best AAAAA football team in the state of Georgia.
Lowndes defeated the North Gwinnett Bulldogs for the state championship in impressive fashion Saturday night, winning 34-6.
“I’m so proud of our kids,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said after the game. “What a great effort by our offense, defense, and special teams.”
For the second week in a row, the Vikings’ defense was dominating. This time, the offense was just as dominant.
Lowndes put up 401 yards offensively, and all of it came from the running game. The Bulldogs put up 204 yards, only three of which came on the ground.
“The offensive line did a good job, they took control of the game,” McPherson said.
Then there was Lowndes’ Greg Reid. Reid, the Region 1-AAAAA player of the year, and quite possibly the best football player in the state, put on a show Saturday night.
Reid rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, had an interception on defense, blocked an extra point and ran for a two-point conversion on special teams.
“It feels great. It’s exciting,” Reid said.
Though Reid had the best game, he wasn’t the only Viking making huge play after huge play.
Lowndes’ Darriet Perry, in the final game of his storied Vikings career, rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
On defense, Michael Copeland had three sacks, one of which went for a safety, and Tavaris Williams had six tackles and a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“It’s a dream come true,” Williams said. “I knew this was my last game, and I had to leave on a good note.”
With the packed-out stadium rocking on the opening kickoff, the Vikings took less than 15 seconds to put the first nail in North Gwinnett’s coffin.
After Perry took the opening kick and slipped on the wet grass at the 9-yard line, the Bulldogs might have been feeling confident. They shouldn’t have.