Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

VIDALIA, La. — Vidalia High School junior quarterback Elmari “Juice” Lewis threw five touchdown passes and ran for one more as the Vikings held on for a thrilling 55-40 win over the Delhi High School Bears last Friday night at Dee Faircloth Viking Stadium.

Vidalia head coach Josh West said that Lewis threw for about 450 yards. Two of his touchdown passes went to senior wide receiver Jacob Lott, who finished with eight catches for over 150 yards. West added that Lott had “a career night.”

And while the Vikings gave up a lot of points to Delhi High, their defense did just enough to come up with a much-needed victory.

“Defensively, it was a team effort. We had guys playing in different positions. Donald Franklin had an interception in the first quarter that gave us some momentum. We forced three turnovers,” West said.

And while it appeared that most of Lewis’ five TD passes were easy, they were not. The Bears ran what West said was a cover-0 defense that went after Lewis, meaning he had to get rid of the ball quickly and accurately. And for the most part he did just that.

“Offensive line did a good job protecting him and receivers did a good job of getting open quick. They made a couple of contested catches, which they are not used to,” West said. “We also recovered three onside kicks. Our kicker, Ibrahim Salem, made his first extra point tonight.”

Christopher Kennedy, Marc Perkins, and Michael Randall Jr. each had a touchdown reception while Franklin also had a TD run.

Vidalia (2-3) will travel to Buckeye, La. to take on Buckeye High School next Friday at 7 p.m. in the Vikings’ LHSAA District 2-3A opener.