By DAN BISER

CERRO GORDO – Sparked by a 99-yard touchdown drive on their opening possession, the visiting St. Pauls Bulldogs claimed a 28-7 Southeastern 1A-2A Conference football victory over the host West Columbus Vikings Monday night.

The WCHS Senior Night game had been postponed Friday night by rain.

St. Pauls, sparked the running of Tony Pone and Demond Wilson, scored in every quarter as the Bulldogs put their season record at 6-4 and conference mark at 4-1. St. Pauls will take on Fairmont Friday with the winner receiving the runnerup spot in the Southeastern Conference behind unbeaten East Bladen.

West Columbus, which got its only touchdowns on a dazzling 82-yard kickoff return by Shawn Brown in the first quarter fell to 2-8 and 1-4. The Vikings will close out their regular-season schedule Friday when they travel to play West Bladen. .

West Bladen has a 1-8 season record, including a 1-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

Last year, WC took a 45-14 victory over the Knights.

WCHS head coach Vernon Brigman said that his squad had difficulty containing the strong St. Pauls ground attack.

“They are huge upfront and they have several players who run the football well,” Brigman said. “I’m proud of the effort, but we had difficulties with penalties and staying focused. St. Pauls is a better football team, but not that much better.”

Pone rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries for St. Pauls, The Bulldogs had a total of 306 yards rushing. Wilson had 79 yards and touchdown on nine carries and kicked all four extra-points for the Bulldogs.

West Columbus quarterback Travis Leggett carried 13 times for 100 yards and completed four passes for 40 yards.

Viking defensive back Timothy “Batman” Brown came up with two pass interceptions while Jeffrey Bellamy, Leo Meares and Torres Newkirk also had strong games on defense.

St. Pauls fumbled away the game-opening kickoff and Bellamy recovered for the Vikings at the St. Pauls 36. The Vikings were forced to punt on fourth down, and Dylan Floyd’s 35-yard punt rolled out of bounds at the one yard-line.

The Bulldogs used 12 plays to drive 99 yards and score the game’s first TD with Pone running over from nine yards out.

West Columbus quickly tied the game as the Shawn Brown grabbed the ensuing kickoff at the Viking 18, picked up two good blocks, cut to the right and outran the Bulldog coverage to the goal line. Floyd’s extra point kick made tied the score at 7-7.

St. Pauls went ahead to stay midway through the second quarter on a three-yard quarterback sneak by Devisho Simpson.