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The Latta Vikings shut-out the Mullins Auctioneers 35-0 in varsity football action in the season opener played in Mullins on Saturday, August 20, before a good crowd of fans.
The weather was hot, and the field and sidelines were wet.
Latta’s Mervin Thompson took the opening kick-off and returned it to the Mullins’ 40-yard line to give the Vikings great field position. On the first offensive play, Jamarion Jones carried the football into the end zone for the 6 points but a flag on the play negated the score. Jones picked up 5 yards on the next play. Justin Stutler picked up a first down. Kartrell Townsend carried for a first down followed by a 3-yard pickup. Latta fumbled the ball, and the Mullins recovered.
The Auctioneers were unable to pick up a first down on their first series of downs and had to punt.
Jamarion Jones managed to pick up 3 first downs in a row followed by another carry. Kartrell Townsend slipped on the wet field in the backfield for a loss of a yard. Latta fumbled the ball, and Kartrell Jones picked up the football and scored with 1:25 remaining in the first to give Latta a 6-0 lead. The PAT was good by #80 to increase Latta’s lead to 7-0.
Latta recovered the Mullins’ fumble on the Mullins’ 40-yard line and quickly went to work. Jamarion Jones carried for 3 yards to end the first quarter of play.
Kartrell Townsend kept the ball and carried for a gain. With 10:50 remaining in the first half, Kartrell Townsend scored from 12 yards out to give Latta a 13-0 lead. The PAT was good by #80 to increase Latta’s lead to 14-0.
Mullins took the kick-off. #24 carried and fumbled but managed to recover his own fumble. Mullins’ #1 was tackled by Justin Stutler for a loss. Mullins was forced to punt. Lebron Cobb returned the punt and returned it for a touchdown. However, a flag on the play negated the score. Latta began from their own 45-yard line with Jamarion Jones keeping for 5 yards. Jones picked up a first down on the next play to give Latta a first and goal from the 3-yard line. Jones scored with 3:34 remaining in the first half. The PAT was no good. Latta was up 20-0.
Mullins started on their own 28-yard line. Mullins’ #1 carried to Latta’s 43-yard line. Mullins’ #12 carried to Latta’s 35-yard line. Mullins’ #12 carried to Latta’s 15-yard line and a penalty against Latta moved the ball to Latta’s 8-yard line. Latta’s #2 picked up 2 yards. With 31.7 seconds remaining in the first half, Mullins was facing a third down. Mullins’ #7 carried. On fourth down, Latta sacked the Mullins runner to stop the threat.
With only 4.8 seconds on the clock, Kartrell Townsend took a knee to end the first half.
Mullins took the kick-off to begin the third quarter and was stopped on their onw 40-yard line. Mullins’ #12 picked up a first down at mid-field. A Mullins’ pass completion moved the ball to Latta’s 15-yard line. Mullins’ #1 was dropped for a 5-yard loss. An incomplete pass to Mullins’ #12 left the ball on the 20-yard line. Latta took over on their own 20-yard line on a Mullins’ incomplete pass on fourth down. With 4:55 remaining in the third quarter, Jamarion Jones scored from 6 yards out to give Latta a 26-0 lead. The 2-point conversion by #80 was good to increase Latta’s score to 28-0. Latta managed to score again and the PAT was good to increase the lead to 35-0.
Latta ran 50 plays in the game while holding Mullins to 34 plays. Latta accumulated 305 total yards with 3 yards in the air. Latta was charged with 6 penalties in the game.
The Vikings turnover the ball twice in the game, once on a fumble and once on an interception. Latta’s Jamarion Jones 20 times for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns with the longest run of 50 yards. Kartrell Townsend carried 12 times for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns with a long run of 15 yards. He also completed 1 pass on 1 attempt for 3 yards.
Townsend also had a tackle and a sack. Eli Jones picked up 19 yards on 3 carries with a long run of 16 yards. He also had 7 tackles and a tackle for a loss.
Justin Stutler carried for 18 yards on 2 attempts with a touchdown and a long run of 10 yards. Stutler had 3 tackles, a sack, and a tackle for a loss. Holden Matthews carried for 2 yards on 1 attempt and 5 tackles. Lebron Cobb had 6 tackles. Dorian Griffin and J. German each had 3 tackles. Michael McKenzie and Noah Lane each had a tackle.
Latta will host East Clarendon on Friday, August 26, at 7:30 p.m.
