The High School football season cranked up with a full schedule in Georgia on the final Friday in September. Here are some notes and scores from around the state.
In a battle of state champions from the highest class in Georgia (Grayson) and Alabama (Hoover), host Grayson jumped out a 14-0 lead and held on late for a 35-26 victory over the Buccaneers. Hoover (0-1) pulled to within two points, 28-26 on Larry McCammon’s third rushing touchdown with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Grayson answered quickly when DJ Irons hooked up with Keynon Jackson for 71-yard touchdown pass to give Grayson (1-0) the 35-26 cushion which they held for the victory. Ronald Thompkins rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns while DJ Irons passed for 200 yards and touchdown and rushed for a touchdown. Hoover falls to 2-4 all-time against Georgia opponents and 0-2 all-time to Grayson.
In Moultrie, GA the Colquitt County (2-0) Packers won their second straight game with a 26-7 victory over Vista Murrieta (CA). Daijun Edwards rushed for two touchdowns, Cam Singletary scored on a 46-yard touchdown reception and the Colquitt County defense held their second straight opponent under 150 yards of total offense. It was the Packers first-ever game against a team from California.
Lowndes (2-0) shutout its second opponent in a row with a 56-0 victory over International School Of Broward (FL). The Vikings have outscored their first two opponents 111-0 to open the season including a 45-0 victory over rival Valdosta in the season opener. Valdosta (1-1) defeated Woodland-Stockbridge (1-1) 26-0 to earn it’s first victory of the season while handing the Wolfpack it’s first loss.
Walton (2-0) under first-year head coach Daniel Brunner withstood Brookwood (0-2) 42-35. DJ Soyoye rushed for three touchdowns, quarterback Austin Kirksey passed for over 260 yards with a touchdown while highly-touted receiver Dominick Blaylock caught a touchdown pass for Walton. Brookwood was powered again by its rushing attack from Matthew Hill (rushing and receiving TD) and Dante Black (3 rushing TDs).
Defending 5A state champion Rome (1-0) defeated 6A Harrison (0-1) 33-21. Rome score the final 16 points of the contest after Harrison scored 14 unanswered points to take a 21-17 lead in the second half after trailing 17-7. Knox Kadum passed for a pair of touchdowns- both to Xavier Roberts, while Jamious Griffin rushed for a touchdown and defensive lineman JaQuon Griffin returned a fumble for a touchdown. Highly-touted Harrison quarterback Justin Fields passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another while finishing with over 300 yards of total offense.
Clarke Central (1-1) rebounded from a season opening loss to Winder-Barrow by defeating Oconee County (0-1) 27-11. Leading 14-3 in the third quarter, Jonathan Sewell caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Jack Mangel. Kapres Forbes put the game away by returning a punt 51 yards for a touchdown giving Clarke Central a 27-3 lead later in the third quarter. Mangel and Nadarrius Smith each had rushing touchdowns against the Warriors.
Stockbridge (1-0) used a Gabe McKensize touchdown run, a short field goal and a stout defense to defeat Mays (0-1) 9-0 for the second consecutive season. It marked the first time Mays was shutout in 64 games.
Mill Creek (2-0) scored 31 unanswered points enroute to a 31-13 victory over class 6A Stephenson (0-2). The Hawks, who overcame a deficit for the second consecutive week (defeated McEachern in season opener after trailing), rushed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns as a team.
Cartersville (2-0) won their 32nd consecutive game with a 52-45 victory over Bartram Trail (FL) (0-1). Rico Frye rushed for a one-yard touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to break a 45-45 tie and give Cartersville the 52-45 lead. Bartram Trail moved to the Cartersville 11 yard line after a pass interference call in the end zone however on the next play Riley Smith’s pass was incomplete as time expired. Cartersville’s highly-touted quarterback Trevor Lawrence passed for over 400 yards with three touchdowns while Rico Frye rushed for over 125 yards and two touchdowns. Bartram Trail rotated Smith and Gatewood at quarterback most of the day. Gatewood passed for over 160 yards and a touchdown while rushing for over 115 yards.
Cedar Shoals (1-0) overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Discovery (0-2) for the second consecutive season 22-12. Trailing 12-7, Cedar Shoals’ Cameron Hudson returned a lateral for a touchdown for a 15-12 lead after a successful two-point conversion. The Jaguars sealed the deal with a 19-play drive capped by a Jephari Colbert 7-yard touchdown with just more than three minutes remaining in the game. Colbert rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns for the Jaguars.
Other scores of interest:
Tucker (2-0) defeated Lakeside-Dekalb (0-2) 54-0; Tucker travels to Colquitt County this week.
Cedar Grove (2-0) defeated Southwest Dekalb (1-1) 37-7
North Gwinnett (1-1) defeated Milton (1-1) 31-28
Langston Hughes (2-0) defeated Westlake (0-1) 16-13; Langston Hughes is off this week before hosting Mays on Sept. 8th. Westlake will host Shiloh this week
Venice (FL) (1-0) defeated Camden County (1-1) 35-3; Camden County does not have a passing touchdown through two games this season in its new spread offense.
Redan (1-1) defeated Lithona (0-2) 18-9
Dutchtown (1-0) defeated Ola (1-1) 39-7
Central Gwinnett (2-0) defeated Dacula (0-1) 36-33
Valdosta (1-1) defeated Woodland-Stockbridge (1-1) 26-0; Woodland-Stockbridge travels to Tri-Cities this Saturday
Buford (2-0) defeated Melbourne Central Catholic (FL) (0-1) 34-17; Buford hosts International School of Broward (FL) this week
Lovejoy (2-0) defeated Mundy’s Mill (0-2) 33-14; Lovejoy faces Stockbridge this week at Tri-Cites on Saturday
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