By Cade Cromer

Cordele Dispatch contributor

The Wilcox County Patriots welcomed the Irwin County Indians to Rochelle for a region game on Friday night.

The Patriots opened the game with the football but were held to a turnover on downs just 5 minutes into the contest.

The Indians took over possession in good field position and drove 55 yards to pick up the first score of the contest on a touchdown by DJ Lundy from 20 yards out. The score put the Indians up 7-0 with 4:56 remaining in the first quarter.

It did not take long for Irwin to extend the lead as their defense was able to force an interception that was returned for a touchdown just over a minute later. The defensive score put the Indians up by a score of 14-0 with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The teams traded defensive stops over the next few possessions before Irwin punched in another score halfway through the second quarter. Cameron Patterson of the Patriots was able to block the subsequent Irwin extra point to keep the score at 20-0 in favor of Irwin.

The Indians were able to find the endzone once more just before the end of the first half on a 24 yard pass play, and again had their resulting extra point blocked by Cameron Patterson. The touchdown saw Irwin head into the halftime break with a 26-0 lead.

The third quarter saw more of the same for Irwin as they were able to find the endzone for three more scores.

The Patriots kept battling, however, and they were able to find the endzone for a score of their own halfway through the fourth quarter as quarterback Landon Ledford lofted a long pass up the sideline to receiver Jordan Benjamin, who beat his defender to score on the 32-yard pass play. The Indians came up with one final touchdown with two minutes remaining in the game to bring the final score to 53-7.

The Patriots play their final home game of the season next Friday night as they host region rivals Turner County.