Varnado captures season opener, 34-3
Published 1:01 pm Friday, September 11, 2015
Varnado opened the season by defeating St. Patrick, of Biloxi, Miss., 34-3 in a road contest last Friday night.
The Fighting Irish took a 3-0 lead on a 29-yard field goal, but the Wildcats scored the game’s final 34 points.
The first 14 of those came in the first quarter. Tyrandis Crosby scored on a 47-yard run, and Nick Blackburn added the extra point to make it a 7-3 game.
Delrick Abrams added to the lead with a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Wilbert Gray scored on a 6-yard run in the second quarter. Blackburn’s extra point put Varnado in front, 21-3, at halftime.
The Wildcats scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter.
D.J. Jefferson connected with Delrick Abrams on a 68-yard touchdown reception, and Nick Darden scored on a 4-yard run. Blackburn split the final two extra points in the 34-3 victory.
Abrams had a big night for Varnado. Defensively, he intercepted two passes, returned one for a touchdown and made six tackles.
Offensively, he caught two passes for 75 yards, including a touchdown.
Jefferson finished 4-for-9 passing for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Darden carried the ball nine times for 82 yards and a score while catching two passes for 27 yards.
Gray had four carries for 31 yards.
“Offensively, I feel that we are able to make the big plays,” Varnado coach Scott Shaffett said. “I would like to see us sustain some drives and eat up some time, but they are putting up some big plays and putting points on the scoreboard.”
Damon Kirsch had 12 tackles for the Wildcats and Desmond Harry finished with nine.
“Once again, I felt our defense put us in scoring position all night long,” Shaffett said. “They kept them off the scoreboard. Right now, I think we’re a little ahead of the game with our defense. They are playing very well.”
Varnado’s next game is Friday, Sept. 11, as the Wildcats have their home opener against Pine.
The Raiders lost Friday, 20-19, to Pearl River.