OLIVE BRANCH - Myles Snyder ran for two touchdowns, the defense played fast and physical, and the North Pontotoc Vikings treated first-year coach J.J. Plummer to a win in his debut game.

Tailback Joe Robbins did his part as well, running for more than 100 yards in a 27-13 victory against Lewisburg in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

Plummer was concerned going into the game, because Lewisburg had a jamboree under its belt, while North Pontotoc had seen no game action.

When the clock started he got hard-nosed running from Robbins and a defense that made the Patriots work for every yard.

"He probably had about 150 yards," said Plummer, celebrating with players on the bus ride back. "He almost broke a couple. I told him he had to keep his legs driving all night, and that's what he did."

Defensively the Vikings (1-0) were very close to a shutout.

"We might have had that goose egg if not for a couple of mental breakdowns," Plummer said.

One of those was a penalty that kept alive a Patriots drive in the third quarter that resulted in Lewisburg's second touchdown.

The Patriots scored in the first quarter but missed the PAT, and the Vikings held a 7-6 advantage after one. They would never trail.

Snyder got the guests on the board with a 2-yard run for the game's first points.

North Pontotoc extended its lead to 13-6 in the second quarter when Brandon Bailey passed 9 yards to Trae Foster.

The Vikings made it 20-6 when Robbins scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, and Snyder put the game out of reach with a 9-yard touchdown run in the fourth.