CERRO GORDO – Junior Quarterback D.J. Graham again had a phenomenal night as the Vikings defeated Union 36-6 Friday.
Graham completed 17 of his 22 passes for 215 yards and three touchdown passes, plus he ran for 144 yards and two rushing touchdowns. It is rare to hear of a football player to have 359 yards of total offense and be responsible for five touchdown scores.
Graham scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter to give the Vikings a 6-0 lead early. Graham threw for a touchdown early in the second to put the Vikings ahead 12-6. West Columbus got on the board later when they botched a field goal, but kicker Ethan Matheson scooped it up and connected with Xavier Savage for a touchdown pass to put West Columbus up 18-6 at the half.
In the third quarter, Jeffery Best found the end zone to give the Vikings a 24-6 advantage. Graham threw his second touchdown pass later in the third to push the lead to 30-6. Graham ran another touchdown in during the fourth quarter to make the final score 36-6 in favor of the Vikings.
Jeffery Best ran for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings victory. West Columbus finished the regular season 2-4 in the conference and 3-7 on the season. The Vikings received the no. 17 seed in the 2A pairings announced on Sunday. They will travel to no. 17 Camden County (3-7) on Friday.
Union was led by Joseph Saurez who had 57 yards rushing with a touchdown. Tobias Cromartie contributed 73 yards of total offense in the loss. Union finishes the regular season 0-6 in the Carolina Conference and 2-8 for the season. Union received the no. 20 seed in the 2A bracket. The Spartans will travel to No. 13 N.W. Halifax in the first round of the 2A playoffs.
