FERRIDAY — It took three years, but Vidalia High School finally ended the streak and took a 24-20 win over rival Ferriday High School in a thriller that went down to the wire.

“This was one of the toughest games that I’ve coached in a while,” Vidalia head coach Dee Faircloth said. “This is a great rivalry, and it feels great to get back and win one.”

Vidalia (1-1) opened the game with a two-yard touchdown run by tailback Kevin Johnson.

Ferriday (1-2) answered the Viking drive with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Neico Amado that tied the game, 6-6.

With a 12-6 lead, Vidalia’s shaky defense stopped a Ferriday drive, and the Vikings scored on their next possession via an 80-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Vines to Gary Stewart that gave Vidalia a 12-point lead.

The Trojans turned right back around with a Bobby Madison touchdown run for seven yards to pull the Trojans within six points of the Vikings with 41 seconds left in the second quarter.

Things got wild after that when Johnson returned the Trojan kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown that put the Vikings up 24-12 with 24 seconds to go in the half.

Ferriday didn’t lose the momentum, though, and answered yet again with a quick 33-yard touchdown run by Madison that pulled the Trojans within four points at the eight second mark in the second half.

After the half the game looked completely different as neither team could generate any offense and defense became the name of the game.

Gary Stewart intercepted two Rodney Lawson passes in the fourth quarter including one that sealed the win for Vidalia with 31 seconds left to go in the game.

“Our confidence level is sky high after this win,” Faircloth said. “I’m proud of these kids.”

Lawson led all passers in the game with an 8-for-17 performance that totaled 168 yards and also had a touchdown for Ferriday.

Madison ran for 109 yards on 18 carries for Ferriday while Johnson netted 68 yards on 17 runs with a pair of touchdowns for Vidalia.

Stewart had two catches for 104 yards and a touchdown to lead all receivers.