Football | 8/25/2023 9:55:00 PM

On a muggy night in Vicksburg, the Arrows opened the 2023 with a 28-7 loss to the Vikings of Warren Central in the 61st Red Carpet Bowl.

The game started off with the Arrows forcing a 3 and out from the Vikings offense.  On the ensuing punt, the Arrows fumbled the ball, giving the Vikings a second chance.  4 plays later, the Vikings found the end zone from 36 yards out on a run by Eric Collins, Jr.  The Arrows answered with a positive drive highlighted by a big catch and a big run from Senior RB Brady Torrence.  The Arrows then turned the ball over on downs after crossing midfield into Viking territory.  After a Viking punt, the Arrows committed another turnover deep in their own territory to give the ball back to the Vikings, who eventually punched the ball in from 1 yard out to end the 1st quarter with the score at 14-0.

The 2nd quarter was defined by two quick scores for the Vikings early on.  The Vikings scored 2 touchdowns in a matter of 25 seconds of gameplay to make the score 28-0 with 8 minutes left in the 1st half.  The Arrows had a field goal attempt blocked with 1 minute left in the half to go to the locker room with the score at 28-0.

The 2nd half started with another lost fumble by the Arrows, giving the Vikings the ball in plus territory.  The Vikings missed a field goal attempt, and the Arrows played much better throughout the rest of the game.  Near the end of the 3rd quarter, an offensive drive highlighted by an important 3rd down conversion on a completion from QB Sam Semi to WR Veshone Malone was completed on a 16 yard run by RB Jakobe Williams to get the Arrows on the board and end the 3rd quarter 28-7.

The 4th quarter saw a few drives into opposing territory, but neither team was able to score and the final score was 28-7.

Offensively, the Arrows were led by Semi who finished the game 15 of 23 through the air for 175 yards.  Jakobe Williams had 55 yards on 13 carries and a TD.  Brady Torrence had 5 catches for 65 yards, Veshone Malone tallied 3 catches for 63 yards, Jaydann Hollins had 4 catches for 21 yards,  Aiden Knox had 2 catches for 15 yards, and Philip Burchfield had a first down catch for 11 yards.

Defensively, Tyler Railey led the Arrows with 4 tackles while Jaiden Jefferson, TJ Spann, Robsen Neblett, and Donovan Coleman had 3 tackles apiece.

The Arrows return to action next Friday night, September 1st, when they host the Cougars of Northwest Rankin at Arrow Field at 7 PM.