Vidalia Vikings coach Dee Faircloth proved he knows how to run the ball, as his team ran for 191 yards on 19 attempts, while the Vikings (4-0, 1-0) took down the Beekman Charter Tigers Friday night (0-4, 0-1), 43-0.

“I’m an old run-it-down-your-throat guy, so I’m glad we did that,” Faircloth said.

In his 43rd season as the Vikings’ head coach, Faircloth said his team is coming around, and he was “proud” of his team’s effort on both sides of the ball.

Vidalia needed some time to get going, going four-and-out on its first possession of the game.

“I was afraid coming into the game we would be letting our guard down a little bit, relaxing a little bit because we knew (Beekman Charter) is young — they have a young, rebuilding team,” Faircloth said. “That’s what we were guarding against, having a letdown and not taking them seriously. But our kids came out and they responded well in all phases of the game.”

Vikings junior quarterback Tristan Weatherly broke the scoring open with less than five minutes to go in the first quarter, connecting with wide receiver Devonte Loyd for a 25-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Vikings senior defensive back Jakalen Poole picked off a high throw by Tigers quarterback Brock Jenkins, returning the interception 60 yards for a touchdown and putting Vidalia up 14-0. Poole also added a second interception late to salt away the game.

“That first (interception) felt real good,” Poole said. “I just thank God I had them blocks. Really, I did that for my team.”

Green had a scintillating 48-yard touchdown run for the Vikings, making multiple cuts to avoid defenders as he scurried into the end zone.

And what was Green thinking while the play developed?

“Touchdown. That’s all that be on my mind,” Green said. “That’s my one destination I’m trying to get to.”

Green finished with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown on 9 carries, and he had also had a 29-yard touchdown run called back because of a personal foul.

Weatherly also connected with junior DeMikal McCoy in the second and third quarters, as Vidalia built up to its 43-0 lead before the end of the third quarter.

Sophomore Vikings running back Cam’Ron Randall also tossed in a stellar performance, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

Weatherly had an efficient night, finishing completing 5-of-6 passes for 78 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vikings will prepare this week for the Rayville Hornets (0-4, 0-1) for another LHSAA Class 2A district matchup, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Friday at Rayville High School.