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Four local teams get victories in second week of season

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

When Whitewater’s varsity football team enters region 4-AAAA play next year, they will be battle tested. The Wildcats got what many feel was their biggest win in their young history last Friday as they defeated the Heard County Braves 23-20 in overtime.

It appeared that Whitewater’s first drive of the game was going to stall out after a delay of game penalty set up a fourth down around the Heard County 45 yard line. Punter Jordan Cooper threw a pass to Cody Haralson who ran for 40 yards and the touchdown. Whitewater held on to a 7-0 lead until five minutes into the second quarter. Heard County scored and missed the extra point and then scored once more towards the end of the first half. They missed the two point conversion and had a 12-7 lead at halftime. The Wildcats knew they would have to control the ball better in the second half. They had two fumbles in the second quarter and both lead to Heard County touchdowns.

In the second half, Jonah Jaurigue scored a touchdown on a nine yard pass. He then forced a fumble, recovered it and fumbled it himself. Blake Underwood recovered Jaurigue’s fumble and ran for the touchdown.

After a missed extra point, Whitewater went up 20-12. The Wildcats threatened to score again late in the third quarter but Carols Brown, a Super 11 player and also the Braves quarterback, intercepted a Jay Bright pass in the endzone with 40 seconds remaining in the quarter. Brown scored early in the fourth quarter and after a two point conversion the score remained deadlocked until the overtime period. Heard County fumbled on their drive and Cooper connected on a 30 yard field goal for the win.

It was the second consecutive game that Whitewater racked up over 300 yards of offense. The defense also did a good job on Heard County with Jonathon Ashley, Andy Skiles, Dustin Davis and Ryan Hidalgo all playing well.

Whitewater will have a bye this week and will take on Carver, Atlanta on Sept. 9.

Fayette County had a big night on Friday blanking the Jonesboro Cardinals 47-0. The Tigers had 397 yards of rushing with Alex Parsons rushing for 180 yards and a touchdown, quarterback Brandon Boykin rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns and Kyle Freeman and Marquis Dixon both rushing for touchdowns as well.

“I was real pleased with how we moved the ball,’ said Coach Tommy Webb. “The offensive line blocked very well.”

Webb was also very pleased with his defense, which caused five turnovers and two safeties. Nick Jones and Matt Daniel each had an interception in the game and Daniel returned his for a touchdown.

“We really got after them and the defense is starting to swarm to the ball,” added Webb. Webb also cited good defensive play from Matt Burns, Audy Whittington and Jared Crittenton.

Channing Welch sat out the Jonesboro game but Webb expects him to play against South Gwinnett this Friday. South Gwinnett is 1-1. They defeated South Forsyth 35-7 last Friday.

Starr’s Mill was up 7-0 against Pebblebrook last Friday before two turnovers led to a 10-7 lead for the Falcons.

The Panthers played better in the second half, scoring the go ahead touchdown and keeping Pebblebrook off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.

“Our defense has played really well and is keeping us competitive,” said Coach Mike Earwood. “It’s the same as last year.” Earwood continued to say that the offense is starting to take shape but that the kicking game, which has been heavily involved in the team’s last three losses, is still struggling and needs to come around.

Offensively, the Panthers were led by Greg Davis, who rushed for 82 yards, and Antonio Brown, who rushed for 60 yards and the Panthers’ two touchdowns. On defense, Bradley Conner, Chad Gloer and linebacker Daniel Beaman are all playing well.

Starr’s Mill hosts Spalding on Friday. Spalding is 0-2 this year. They lost to Upson Lee 34-14 last Friday.

Landmark Christian got another super performance from both their offense and defense on Saturday as they shut out Cross Keys 34-0. Quarterback Matt Moody had a good night both throwing and running the ball for the War Eagles. He rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more. Jimmy Edens and Miles King each had touchdown receptions, while Trey Strickland rushed for a touchdown in the second half.

Coach Kenny Dallas has to be ecstatic with a defense that has only allowed a total of eight points in the first two games of the season.

Landmark Christian will host Social Circle this Friday. Social Circle is 0-1. They lost to Monticello 21-14 last Friday.

The McIntosh Chiefs are still searching for the first win of the season as Villa Rica handed them a 17-0 loss last Friday.

The Chiefs have a bye this week and will host Sandy Creek next Friday.

Our Lady of Mercy faced Walker last week and lost 35-8. They will travel to take on Ogelthorpe County on Friday.

Oglethorpe County is 2-0. They beat North Oconee 41-20 last Friday.