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Vincent's Tae McGregor celebrates after one of his many big plays in a 51-8 rout of Central-Coosa on Friday, Oct. 4. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

The Vincent Yellow Jackets will return talent across the board on this year’s team, which may help them compete despite a difficult schedule and lack of depth. (File)

The Vincent Yellow Jackets have had to cancel the next two games of their 2020 schedule after already canceling the season opener due to COVID-19. (File)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

VINCENT – The Vincent Yellow Jackets took out a lot of frustration from a 0-5 start to the 2019 season on Friday, Oct. 4, with a dominant 51-8 victory over region opponent Central-Coosa County.

In front of their home crowd on homecoming, the Yellow Jackets went into the game knowing there was a good shot at a win, but the team didn’t let that distract them from following through for the first win of the season.

Vincent ended up building such a large first-half lead of 51-0 that the coaches decided to play two four-minute quarters in the second half, which led to just the eight points from Central-Coosa.

The Yellow Jackets were able to get off to a fast start behind a strong first drive from J.T. Youngblood, who posted several strong runs, including a 10-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead with 8:24 remaining in the opening quarter.

Following a failed onside kick attempt, Vincent was forced to play defense, but the Yellow Jackets quickly got the ball back when Caleb Scott picked up an interception and returned it to the Central 30-yard line.

Just a couple of plays later and Tae McGregor put Vincent’s second touchdown on the board from 9 yards out to put the Jackets up 12-0 in the first five minutes of the game.

That was just the beginning of a strong night for McGregor.

After a defensive stop from the Yellow Jackets, McGregor got another carry and in one play took a 57 yard run to the house for a touchdown to put Vincent on top 19-0 with 5:40 left in the opening quarter.

On the ensuing defensive drive, following a successful fake punt from Coosa, McGregor stepped up defensively as well with a pick-six returned 40 yards for a touchdown.

That was the first of two consecutive pick-six interceptions for the Yellow Jackets, as Zac Carlisle added one of 90 yards just a few seconds later, which made the score 31-0 at the end of the opening quarter.

The Yellow Jackets went on to add 20 more points in the second quarter behind 65-yard kickoff return from McGregor, a touchdown run from Kaleb Wilson and a touchdown run from Gavin Hardin on the last play of the half.

In the shortened second half, Coosa scored on a 70-yard touchdown pass, but that didn’t take away from Vincent’s special night whatsoever.

McGregor finished the game with four touchdowns, including a pick-six and a 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Vincent improved to 1-5 with the win and 1-2 in region play. The Yellow Jackets will now take on 1-5 Horseshoe Bend on Friday, Oct. 11, looking for their second win in a row.

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