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Delta Charter's Tyrin Singleton stiff arms Vidalia's Christopher Kennedy Friday night during the Storm's 18-8 victory over the Vikings. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Vidalia's Jayden Gaines takes the ball down the field against the Delta Charter defense Friday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Delta Charter's Layne King celebrates after stopping the Vidalia Vikings near the gola line Friday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

At left: Delta Charter's Harlem Gilmore breaks up a pass to Vidalia wide receiver Kaden Trahern Friday night during the Storm's 18-8 victory over the Vikings. At right: Delta Charter quarterback Will Wiley celebrates a turnover on downs during the Storm's 18-8 win. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Vidalia's Marc Perkins is stopped by the Delta Charter defense Friday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

FERRIDAY, La. — Delta Charter School played host to Vidalia High School Friday in the first-ever meeting between the two schools in varsity football. And even though Vidalia is two classifications higher than Delta Charter, the outcome told a much different story.

Senior quarterback Will Wiley had two rushing touchdowns and senior running back Tyrin Singleton added a touchdown run as the LHSAA Class 1A Storm stunned the Class 3A Vikings 18-8.

Delta Charter head coach Blake Wheeler said it took a team effort for the Storm to come out victorious against the Vikings. He added that all three phases — offense, defense, and special teams — all contributed in a big way.

“Defense did a good job of shutting down the big plays. The thing we were most worried about the most was their quarterback (Elmari ‘Juice’ Lewis) and his ability to make big plays. But our defense did a good job on him,” Wheeler said.

Vidalia head coach Josh West said the Vikings were “undisciplined” at times and were frustrated for not taking advantage of scoring opportunities.

“Lot of self-inflicted penalties. Mental errors. We didn’t move the ball on the goal line when we needed to. We’ve got to get better leverage to get one yard,” West said.

Wheeler noted that this was also a “good, physical football game.” And on this night, the Storm was the more physical of the two teams.

“Offensively, we controlled the clock. Our offensive line did a good job. Wiley and Tyrin did a good job running the ball,” Wheeler said.

“Not to take anything from them. They ran the ball well. They stuck to their game plan,” West said. “There were some things we could have controlled better.”

In more than one way special teams was, indeed, special in aiding in the Storm’s victory.

“We tackled well or our kickoffs. Harlem Gilmore had a big kickoff in the fourth quarter that pinned them deep,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler then went on say that this was a huge win for Delta Charter’s football program.

“Anytime you play up in competition, it’s a huge win, especially for the kids. We’re in 1A and they’re in 3A,” Wheeler said.

“We did have some bright spots. Young guys like (freshman offensive lineman/defensive lineman) Jared Wooten,” West said. “But we’ve got plenty to clean up. Plenty to fix.”

Delta Charter (2-0) will have its hands full next Friday at 7 p.m. when the Storm plays at Ferriday High School in the “Battle of Ferriday.”

Vidalia (0-2) will look to pick up its first win of the season when it plays at Block High School at 7 p.m. next Friday.

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