Lowndes holds off Parkview for AAAAA title

LILBURN - The Lowndes running game has gone through this procedure before. When the Vikings need Lynn Williams and Octaviues Everett to gain positive yards and control the clock, they always get the job done.<br> <br> On the final possession against a rallying Parkview team, Williams and Everett combined for 60 yards rushing on an 8:45- minute drive to hold off the Panthers 17-14 in the Class AAAAA state championship game Saturday night.<br> <br> ``It was a drive that was going to determine our season,&#39;&#39; Lowndes coach Randy McPherson. ``Lynn and Octaviues are great running backs, who have done this the whole season.<br> <br> Parkview (13-2) tied the game at 14 when Daniel Bollinger scored on a 3-yard run, sparked by a Jeff Witt 22-yard run and a Caleb King 55-yard kickoff return.<br> <br> But Lowndes (15-0) answered with the deciding 37-yard field goal by Kurtis Schmidt in third quarter.<br> <br> That&#39;s all the Vikings needed for the win.<br> <br> Williams, who finished with 94 yards on 23 carries, helped Lowndes convert 5-of-7 on third downs. Everett added 39 yards on the ground.<br> <br> ``We really wanted to score,&#39;&#39; McPherson said. ``We didn&#39;t expect to do so well on the drive against a Parkview who is playing at home. That was a memorable drive.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> After the Panthers fumbled in their own territory, Williams caught a 34-yard pass from Doug Belk in the first quarter. Then before halftime, Witt was intercepted by Antonio Townsend, who returned the ball in scoring position at the 10-yard line.<br> <br> Williams gained 4 yards on the first play, then on next, Belk connected with Matt Harper on a 6-yard score to give Lowndes a 14-7 lead. Belk completed 4-of-7 for 50 yards.<br> <br> Witt also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Michael Palmer in the second quarter.<br> <br> Parkview coach Cecil Flowe said, ``The mistakes really put us in a bind.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> McPherson understood that turnovers would be the key.<br> <br> ``Everything has just fallen in our hands this season,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I can&#39;t describe this feeling I have inside, but it&#39;s a grateful one.&#39;&#39;