Vincent hits back dominantly in Childersburg
Published Saturday 24 September 2022 00:54
By STEPHEN DAKWINS | Especially for the reporter
CHILDERSBURG – Vincent bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat last week to get back on track with Friday’s 42-13 win in Childersburg.
VHS coach Lucas Weatherford said the Yellow Vests got off to a slow start in the first half with costly penalties and turnovers.
“It was hard to pick them up after that game last week,” Weatherford said of the 36-35 loss to BB Comer in a showdown between two of the top teams in Region 4 Class 2A. “They were kind of heartbroken and had a tough week of training.”
Still, the Jackets defense forced a rally on the first possession of the game, and Vincent (5-1 overall, 2-1 regional play) quickly took the lead with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Blake Allums to Zac Carlisle. Tray Youngblood took a 8-0 lead in the 2-point conversion.
Childersburg (1-5, 1-2 in Class 3A, Region 4) responded with a touchdown on subsequent possession, but Vincent stopped the 2-point conversion attempt and retained the lead, 8-6.
A five-game drive from the visitors was capped by a 21-yard touchdown run by RyKelus Robertson, and Ty’Qun Goodman’s point-after made it 15-6.
Weatherford said mistakes would have cut short several promising rides, or the lead could have been bigger.
“It was just an ugly neighborhood,” he said.
Robertson’s game that night was anything but ugly. The junior had 353 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 28 attempts.
Robertson sprinted into the end zone from 69 yards for a touchdown in the first game of the second half and Aiden Poe ran in on the 2-point conversion for a 23-6 lead.
Childersburg scored again to stay within striking distance at 23-13, but after an interception and Carlisle’s return, Robertson struck again, this time with a 14-yard scoring run to make it 29-13.
In the fourth quarter, VHS finished the game with a 15-yard touchdown run from Robertson and a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown by Phoenix Maxwell.
Weatherford said he’s proud of his defense’s play, especially after the tough loss and clash with a Childersburg team that uses a single wing attack that complicates difficult preparation.
Despite being only about 10 miles apart, Vincent and Childersburg have not faced each other since 1989. According to the best records available, Vincent had not recorded a win in the series since the first game between the teams in 1947.
“It was a sweet win at the end of the day,” Weatherford said.
The Yellow Jackets visit Ranburne on Friday, September 30 to begin a stretch of four consecutive region games to complete the regular season.
