WALNUT GROVE — Just run the ball.

That was the message, and it was delivered as West Lowndes used the ground game to get past Leake County 34-24 on Thursday in a non-region contest of Class 1A teams.

“We knew going into tonight that we had the size advantage upfront, so we had to get the run game going,” said West Lowndes coach Anthony King. “The pass game was there, but we wanted to pound the ball, keep momentum on your side, and keep the clock moving.”

Leake County got on the board first as Davion Townsend hit Damarion Moore on a 45-yard touchdown pass with 4:38 left in the first quarter to give the Gators a 6-0 lead.

The Panthers answered as Jakylen Lucious scampered to the end zone from 11 yards out to tie the game 6-6 with 1:54 left.

The Gators regained the lead at 12-6 on the second play of the second quarter as Zechariah Washington powered his way into the end zone from two yards out.

West Lowndes answered as Alexander Colbert ran into the end zone from five yards out and a successful two-point conversion by Colbert gave the Panthers a 14-12 lead with 6:07 left in the second quarter.

Lucious added a 6-yard touchdown run with 20 seconds left before halftime to extend the Panthers lead to 20-12.

West Lowndes scored on the opening drive of the second half as quarterback Kadon Burton darted in from a yard out to stretch the Panthers lead to 28-12 with 5:39 left in the third quarter.

Lucious added his third rushing touchdown of the night from six yards out to give West Lowndes a 34-12 lead with 11:15 left in the fourth quarter.

“Have to give thanks to the offensive line. They did a great job blocking, so couldn’t get through without them. We came along and had to step it up in the second half,” Lucious said. “Defense started off slow, but we came along as the game went on. We spend a lot of time in the weight room and running, so it paid off. Next week is Aberdeen, so we got to work harder and get ready.”

Lucious finished the night with 182 yards rushing on 27 carries with three touchdowns to lead West Lowndes. The Panthers (1-1) as a team rushed for 309 yards.

“Jakylen is the heart and soul of the team. He plays both sides of the ball, so I had to ride him tonight and give the ball as many times as I can,” King said. “Some other guys stepped up in the run game, so I’m proud of them. Tough win to get, so glad we got our first win of the season and now it’s on to Aberdeen.”

Townsend and Moore connected on a pair of touchdown passes from 17 and 63 yards out for Leake County in the fourth quarter.

Townsend passed for 194 yards with three touchdowns to lead Leake County, while Moore had 163 yards receiving with three touchdowns for the Gators (0-2).