By Craig Brown
Latta’s #21 RJ McClam on his second touchdown run of the night.
After a big upset win over undefeated 2A Aynor last week, the Vikings were riding high coming into the game. Viking Assistant Coach Douglas Jackson stated that in addition to the offense, the defense has come around this season resulting in two scores against Aynor. Jackson knows from past experience at Dillon Christian School that without a good defense, a winning season is unlikely.
The Vikings added four interceptions Friday night and two of those went for touchdowns. In addition to Jackson, Viking Head Coach Kelly Williamson has Ronnie Carter from his former staff that won two state championships at Dillon Christian. C.J. Mullinax was the Warriors all time leading receiver and played wide receiver at Charleston Southern. Kelly always surrounds himself with a top rated coaching staff and he has one this year with Donald Cribb, Travis Lewis, Robert McIntyre, Tony Whittington, and Chris German rounding out a nine-man team.
The Vikings scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, two in the second, two in the third, and a field goal in the fourth. The Yellow Jackets only managed one serious threat to the red zone and the Viking defense stiffened and held them on the 15-yard line.
Coach Williamson pulled top rated lineman Donell Stanley from the game early as the game began to get out of hand and by the end of the game, all Viking players that were dressed out saw plenty of action.
The scoring action started when Jordan Smith intercepted a Yellow Jacket pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown with 10:42 left in the first quarter. Chase Ray’s kick put the Vikings up 7-0. On the Vikings first offensive possession, RJ McClam raced 23 yards for the touchdown to end the drive. Ray’s kick upped the Viking lead to 14-0 with 8:42 left in the first quarter. On the Vikings second offensive possession, quarterback Kel Williamson finished the drive with a 15-yard touchdown strike to Jachai Buie. Ray’s extra point put Latta ahead 21-0 with 6:12 left in the first quarter.
With 1:14 left in the first quarter Treveonte Paige intercepted a Yellow Jacket pass and returned it 80 yards for the touchdown. Ray’s point after made the score 28-0 with the first quarter ending with this score.
McClam broke several tackles on his way to a 70-yard touchdown run with 8:16 left in the second quarter. Ray kicked the Vikings to a 35-0 lead. McClam added the final touchdown of the first half with 5:00 minutes left in the second as he outran the Yellow Jacket defenders 36 yards to the goal line. Ray put the Vikings up 42-0 at the half.
McClam finished his play for the night with a 36-yard touchdown run with 6:14 left in the third quarter. Ray booted the Vikings to a 49-0 lead. With six seconds left in the third quarter, Colby Lee scored from three yards out on a quarterback keeper. Aaron Autrey attempted the extra point but the kick was just a little off, leaving the Vikings up 55-0.
The final score came with 3:55 left in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard Ray field goal for a 58-0 Latta win.
On offense for Latta, RJ McClam had 214 yards on seven carries with four touchdowns; Kel Williamson was 5-of-7 passing for 73 yards and a touchdown and had 28 yards rushing; Colby Lee caught two passes for 46 yards and had 33 yards on four carries with a touchdown; Maston Sweat had 47 yards on three carries; Kartilus McFadden had 35 yards on three carries; Eric Grice had 30 yards on two carries; Jachai Buie caught two passes for 24 yards; Keishawn Davis added six yards on a carry; and Chase Ray made seven extra points and a field goal.
On defense for the Vikings, Ryheim McDaniel had seven tackles, two assists; Trevonte Paige and Daniel Hyatt had six tackles with three assists each with Paige adding a fumble recovery and an 80-yard touchdown interception; Jonathan Ray, Eric Grice, and Kartilus McFadden had five tackles with several assists each with Grice adding a fumble recovery; Jarred Gomillion and Aaron Hyatt had four tackles with four assists each; Davonta Porter had three tackles, four assists; Jachai Buie, Charles Mace, and Justin Hall had two tackles with two assists each with Hall adding a quarterback sack; Donell Stanley, Jordan Smith, Timothy Williams, Kel Williamson, and Chris McMurrary added a tackle and an assist each with Smith getting three interceptions and returning one 37 yards for a touchdown; and Rakwon Bowman, Jeremy Snipes, Chris Grey, and Colby Summerford added some tackle assists.
Viking Head Coach Kelly Williamson is always a man of few words and comments. The coach was pleased with his team’s play against Lincoln but noted that the Vikings are beginning region play the next five games and those are the games that will count.
“We have to stay focused on each game,” he said.
The Vikings will have a bye this week but return to play on Friday, October 4, at home against Creek Bridge with game time set for 7:30 p.m.
Photos by Craig Brown. Click the images below to view at full size!
