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Lowndes vs. Houston - Game Report
With a 33-19 victory over Houston County, the Vikings clinched the Region 1-AAAAA Championship with one game still left on the schedule. Houston played an extremely physical game, but Lowndes prevailed in the battle for the region crown. In the first half Lowndes used huge plays to set up their scores, while Houston steadily drove down field. The Vikings took command in the third quarter, with the defense forcing turnovers on the Bears first two possessions of the second half.

In the first quarter, both teams came out strong. On Lowndes' first possession, Lynn Williams shot down the field 63 yards to the 2-yard line. Octavious Everett then punched the ball into the endzone with 10:26 left in the first. Kurtis Schmidt's PAT made the score 7-0 Vikings. Houston fought back with a long, steady, clock-killing drive, making the score 7-7 with 1:13 on the clock. Lowndes' Jermel Demps returned the kick-off to the 45-yard line. Finishing off the drive, Darriet Perry dashed down the field for a 35-yard touchdown. The PAT was no good, making the score 13-6 going into the 2nd.

The defense fought hard in the second quarter. Houston decided to go for it on 4-1, but Lowndes wouldn't let that happen. The defense held Houston, giving the Vikings the ball on Houston's own 41-yard line. Lowndes drove down to the 5, and Everett ran in the Viking's third touchdown of the night. The Vikings went for 2, but came up short.

The third quarter again showcased the defense. Both of the Viking's scores were set up by turnovers. After a Houston fumble on their own 18-yard line which Lowndes recovered, Williams ran down 17 yards to the 1 foot line. Everrett then punched in the ball for his third TD of the night, and Schmidt's point after was good. On Houston's next possession, Demps picked off a Houston pass on the 27 yard line. Williams capped off the drive with a 6-yard TD run. Houston got off another score, but Stevie Hardin blocked the extra point. During this drive, the Houston players asked the referees to silence the Georgia Bridgemen, and the Lowndes fans erupted with noise.

Lowndes preserved the win in the 4th, only allowing one Houston score. On that Houston score, the PAT was blocked again. Next week the Vikings will play at Coffee County for the final regular season game. After that game, all playoff games will be at home untill the semi-finals at the Georgia Dome.

Congratulations to the Vikings, coaching staff, and Coach McPherson on the 2004 Region 1-AAAAA Championship!