Vandals pick up first win of season vs. Southwestern

VANDALIA – Sophomore Bobby Bradley had a career-high four touchdowns, the defense forced several turnovers and the Vandals earned their first win of the season on Friday night, knocking off Southwestern, 47-32.

Bradley carried the ball for more than 100 yards, and quadrupled his season output for touchdowns. He had an additional touchdown run nullified by a penalty.

Defensively, Austin Steele recovered two fumbles, and Codie Jackson and Seth Purcell also picked up loose balls for the Vandals (1-6), and Purcell also picked up a pair of sacks.

Vandalia snatched the lead just two minutes into the game, with Collin Nestleroad using a second-effort to get in from 2 yards out, and after a turnover on downs, Bradley broke three tackles to score on a 17-yard run.

That was followed by Steele's first fumble recovery and a 1-yard run by Bradley to give the Vandals a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Southwestern (0-7) scored on the first play of the second quarter, but five minutes later, Nestleroad connected with Jackson for a 32-yard touchdown. Jackson stretched the ball past the pylon as he was being tackled by two players.

The second half saw several touchdowns, with the Birds getting a 70-yard pass on the first play of their second drive, and the Vandals following with a 35-yard run on a quarterback keeper by Nestleroad.

After a fumble recovery, Bradley scored on a 16-yard run with 0:00.6 on the third-quarter clock to make the score, 41-14.

The Birds added three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and the Vandals got a 19-yard run by Bradley.

Vandalia will celebrate its senior class next Friday when it hosts Pana.