EUFAULA — The Vian Wolverines started the 2024 season in fine fashion last Friday night as they defeated the host Eufaula Ironheads 3725.

With the game tied at 7-all with seven minutes left in the opening quarter, the Wolverines (1-0) took the lead for good on Masyn Wright’s second of four touchdowns as he took it in from six yards out with 33 seconds left in the first period. Mikayah Mendoza’s extra point put Vian ahead to stay at 14-7 entering the second quarter.

After the Ironheads (0-1) cut the deficit to 14-13 on the first play of the second period, the Wolverines responded with Wright recording a hat trick on TD runs as he took it to paydirt from 68 yards out with 9:36 left before halftime. However, Mendoza’s PAT missed the mark, keeping Vian ahead 2014 at the break.

After the Ironheads cut the Vian lead back to a single point for the second time at 20-19 the Wolverines finally put some distance between them and the Ironheads. Draighton Fletcher scored on a 15-yard touchdown run at the 8:18 mark and Wright scored his fourth TD of the night on a 28-yard run with 3:27 left in the third quarter. Mendoza hit both extra points to extend the Vian advantage to 34-19.

The Ironheads scored another touchdown with 1:58 remaining in the period to trim Vian’s lead to 34-25 at the end of three quarters.

The lone score of the final period was a 19yard field goal by Mendoza with 4:40 left to play to make it a twoscore game.

Wright broke the scoreless tie on a 40yard TD run with 11:23 left in the first quarter. Mendoza’s PAT put Vian ahead 7-0.

Wright rushed for 244 yards and scored four TDs for Vian, which will play its home opener against Kiefer at 7 p.m. this Friday at St. John Stadium.