The Lowndes Vikings football team defeated Richmond Hill 36-15 on the road Friday night, with senior quarterback Jayce Johnson returning to the lineup to lead the team. The win improved the Vikings' season record to 8-0 and their Region 1-7A record to 2-0. The Vikings pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 points after trailing the Wildcats 15-14 at halftime.
Johnson, playing in only his third game all season, was a significant factor in the Lowndes offense. He threw for 112 yards and contributed two touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Johnson rushed for 127 yards and added two more scores. His performance helped the Vikings finish with 445 total yards and 16 first downs, including an impressive 333 yards rushing.
Contributing to the Vikings' ground game, wideout Kaevone Thomas rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on just three carries. Thomas also opened the scoring for Lowndes with an 80-yard touchdown reception from Johnson just 13 seconds into the game, giving the Vikings an early 7-0 lead.
After Richmond Hill's running back CJ Menzie tied the game at 7 with a 6-yard rushing touchdown with 3:47 left in the first quarter, the Vikings responded. Johnson connected with Mason Woods on a 17-yard touchdown pass, pushing Lowndes ahead 14-7 with 1:40 remaining in the opening quarter. The Wildcats then cut into the Lowndes lead in the second quarter by forcing a safety with 8:47 to go, and Menzie gave Richmond Hill its first lead with another touchdown run with 2:22 left in the half, making the score 15-14.
Despite holding a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter, Richmond Hill could not hold off the Vikings. Jayce Johnson regained the lead for Lowndes early in the fourth quarter with a 36-yard scoring run and a subsequent two-point conversion, making the score 22-15. Kaevone Thomas then extended the lead further with an 82-yard rushing touchdown with 9:48 remaining, bringing the score to 29-15. Johnson sealed the victory with a 6-yard touchdown run with 1:37 left in the contest, finalizing the score at 36-15.
Richmond Hill finished the game with 299 total yards. Quarterback Gunner Mobley completed 18 of 32 passes for 179 yards. Wideout Eli Grant caught nine passes for 97 yards, while DJ Porter added four catches for 29 yards. CJ Menzie led the Wildcat offense with 18 carries for 97 yards and also had two catches for 30 yards. Richmond Hill's loss brings their season record to 5-4 and their region record to 0-3.
The Lowndes Vikings are set to host Valdosta this Friday at 8 p.m. in the 45th Winnersville Classic. Richmond Hill will have a bye week before concluding their regular season on Friday, November 6, playing Valdosta away at 8 p.m.
