For 3 quarters, the Tri-County Heroes held a 15-6 lead against the No. 11-Gridiron Developmental Football League’s Louisiana Bayou Vipers.  But the final stanza proved to be the turning point at King Field Saturday night.

     Before an estimated 350 fans, the Vipers poured on 26 fourth-quarter points en route to 32-15 win over Tri-County.

     With the win, the Vipers  improved to a perfect 5-0 in the Gridiron Developmental Football League’s Gulf Coast Division.  The Heroes, who snapped a 2-game winning streak, evened its worksheet at 3-3.

     The Heroes received the opening kickoff, and marched 55 yards in 5 plays using 4:52 off the clock.  Quarterback Jimmy Johns called his own number from 1 yard out.  Ryan Weaver’sPAT try was wide left and Tri-County held the early 6-0 lead.

     After several possession exchanges, Tri-County extended its lead to 9-0 with 3:57 left in the opening period.  An 11-play, 40-yard drive culminated with a 32-yard field goal by Weaver.

     The Bayou Vipers got on the scoreboard on their third play of the second frame.  Their 7-play, 55-yard drive climaxed with quarterback Gregory Dillon finding receiver Eugene Varnado with a 22-yard scoring strike.  The conversion pass failed and Louisiana trailed 9-6 with 14:48 left in the first.

     With 36 ticks left in the opening half, Johns found wide receiver Damoyn Carroll with a 21-yard touchdown pass.  John’s conversion run fell short and it was 15-6.

     Both defenses brought constant heat throughout the third frame.  The much larger Vipers began to use their size to wear down the Heroes.

     “They were much bigger than we were,” said Heroes head coach Phil Campbell.  “Their size was wearing us down.  They have a very good football team.”

     Viper quarterback Gregory Dillon tossed 4 touchdown passes in the final 15 minutes.  Toddrick Bajoie caught the final 2 scores, including  the last one; as the final horn sounded.

     Dillon was 15 of 26 for 246 yards and 5 touchdowns to lead Louisiana.  Bajoie had 3 catches for 45 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The Vipers had 380 yards of total offense.

     Tri-County managed only 158 yards of total offense.  Johns was 5-of-18 passing for 113 yards, with 1 interception and 1 touchdown pass.  Michael Thrasher had 2 receptions for 56 yards.  Ronnie McNulty rushed 8 times for 30 yards.

     Tri-County returns to action Saturday on King Field, hosting the Emerald Coast (Pensacola, FL) Scorpions.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.