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By STEPHEN DAWKINS | Special to the Reporter

ALICEVILLE – A dominant second-half defense and steady rushing attack propelled the Vincent Yellow Jackets to a 30-14 win at Aliceville on Friday, Oct. 11.

“I’m so proud of our kids,” Vincent coach Lucas Weatherford said. “We faced a lot of adversity the last couple of days and came on the road and picked up a huge region win against a good team in a very tough environment.”

The win improves Vincent to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Class 2A, Region 5 play—and one step closer to clinching a playoff berth.

In the battle of the Yellow Jackets, the Vincent variety got on the scoreboard first, as a 14-play drive in the first quarter ended with a 30-yard field goal by Daniel Campos.

Then, midway through the second quarter, a long punt return by Deontaye Robertson set up Vincent for its second score, a 5-yard pass from Lane Mims to Landon Archer to give the visitors a 10-0 lead after the Campos extra point.

Aliceville (3-4, 2-2) scored its first points of the game after a long pass play set them up for a touchdown run to make it 10-7.

On Vincent’s next possession, Aiden Gasaway scored on a run from 26 yards out. The point-after attempt was blocked, but VMHS led, 16-7.

The homestanding Yellow Jackets scored again before halftime to cut Vincent’s lead to two points at 16-14.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Vincent offense put together a 12-play drive thanks in part to a Robertson run on fourth down. Jayden Roberts eventually punched it in from six yards out, and Campos’ kick was good to make it 23-14.

The two-possession lead essentially iced the game for the Jackets because their defense was playing so well. Aliceville recorded minus-12 yards of total offense in the second half, and Robertson and Archer both had interceptions.

Still, Roberts left no doubt with a 67-yard touchdown run late in the game to make it 30-14 after the extra point.

Roberts finished with 31 carries for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Gasaway added 93 yards and a score on 13 carries.

Vincent rushed for 344 yards as a team.

The Jackets host Isabella (3-5, 1-3) on Oct. 18 for another important region game.