SULPHUR — It looked like the football gods were conspiring to ruin the Vinton Lions’ season opener Thursday at Sulphur’s Matt Walker Memorial Stadium.

There was a last-minute venue change because of electrical problems from a lightning strike at Vinton’s stadium then

, there was a lengthy lightning delay. But Vinton put together its best offensive performance in more than a year to beat Elton 54-19.

It was the most points scored by the Lions since a 57-13 win over Highland Baptist in Week 2 of the 2018 season.

Vinton quarterback Lukas Bunting had three rushing touchdowns and two passing, both to Logan Beard (6 catches, 108 yards). C.J. Jack led the Lions’ ground game with 135 yards on 12 carries. Vinton finished with 483 total yards, 375 on the ground.

After a close first half, Vinton led 27-13 at halftime.

Elton cut the deficit to 27-19 on an 8-yard run by Sherman Bellow, but the Lions reeled off 27 consecutive points to put the game away.

Bunting scored on a 2-yard run with 8:19 left in the third, then threw an 18-yard scoring strike to Beard with a minute left in the third quarter.

Vinton backup quarterback Hadly Warner scored twice in the second quarter on runs of 4 and 1 yard.

Bellow had a big game for the Indians with 75 yards and touchdown on 13 carries plus 130 return yards, including a 74-yard kick return touchdown that cut Vinton’s lead to 7-6 with 6:52 left in the first quarter.