CERRO GORDO – Behind a rushing attack that rolled up 458 yards, the West Columbus Vikings opened their 2006 football season Friday night with a 48-25 victory over the visiting Dixon Bulldogs.

West Columbus held a shaky 21-19 halftime lead before dominating the final two quarters.

Junior running back Travis Leggett rushed for 182 yards and three touchdown on 22 carries as Coach Vernon Brigman’s Vikings took their third straight season-opening victory over the Dixon squad.

Dixon was led by running back Mike Washington, who rushed for 162 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. Washington ran 82 yards for the game’s first score before West Columbus answered with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Shawn Brown.

Torrez Newkirk rushed seven times for 75 yards and two touchdowns while Edward McCollum had 90 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Courtney Hayes gained 66 yards on three carries. Kicker Dylan Floyd made good on six of seven extra-point attempts
Dixon, which has lost 27 straight games dating back to the 2003 season, got its only points of the second half on a return of a Viking fumble for a touchdown.

Newkirk, Justin Floyd and Jerry Weaver were leaders in the Viking defensive unit.

West Columbus, which finished 8-5 last season after advancing to the second round of the state 1AA playoffs, is having to rebuild in many areas this fall following the graduation of a very solid group of seniors.

“We’re young and still learning but there is some up-and-coming talent,” said Brigman, now in his fourth season at the Viking helm. “We’ll get better as the season progresses.

West Columbus, which last year joined the Southeastern 1A-2A Conference, will travel this Friday to take on the East Columbus Gators.