JONESVILLE, La. – Led by the running of Darriel Mayes and a tough defense, the Vidalia Vikings beat the Block Bears 16-0 in a District 3-2A game Friday night.

Mayes had 33 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Jarred Hoffpauir completed three of six passes for 39 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Both teams were not able to score in the first half mainly because of rain, poor field position and good defense.

&uot;It was a struggle,&uot; said Vikings head coach Dee Faircloth. &uot;Block did a great job. The weather hurt us bad.

&uot;We started from the 30-yard line in in the first half. We seemed to play with our backs to the wall.&uot;

Before this game, Vidalia was averaging about 40 points a game.

Vidalia was finally able to move the ball well in the second half. In the third quarter, the Vikings scored on an 11-yard pass from Hoffpauir to Chris Kennedy. Mayes ran in for the two-point conversion.

In the fourth quarter, Mayes scored on a nine-yard run and scored on another two-point conversion to complete the scoring.

The Vikings had 175 of its 204 total yards on the ground, while its defense held the Bears to only 64 total yards, 44 yards rushing and 20 yards passing.

&uot;The offense got going in the second half,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;We weren’t able to throw the ball as much as we usually do.&uot;

Faircloth had high praise for the good effort of his defense. &uot;The defense did a good job. We gave up only three first downs and 64 total yards. Defense wins games.&uot;

Leren Curry led the defense with eight tackles, while Justin Seals had seven tackles. Vidalia improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in District 3-2A and will host McCall next Friday.