The G.A.S. Pump (Dec. 1) - PLAYOFF FOOTBALL SPECIAL EDITION
December 1st, 2007 Posted in Georgia, High School FootballTime to fill ‘er up at The Georgia Amateur Sports (G.A.S.) Pump, brought to you by LocalReplay.com. Enjoy our daily look at amateur sports headlines from around the State of Georgia. Click on the following links to find:
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High School Football
Athens/Augusta Area
Jaguars fall short in bid for another title | augusta.com
Thomas Jefferson Academy watched the 2007 season play out just like the season before. Except in reverse. One year after losing to Flint River in the regular season then nipping the Wildcats in the state championship game, the Jaguars were upended in their quest for history.
Ealey-led ECI downs Warren | augusta.com
Washaun Ealey is the state record holder for touchdowns in a single season. ECI’s game plan Friday night turned him into the high school football equivalent of Mariano Rivera. Ealey was kept in reserve for most of three quarters Friday night in a Georgia High School Association Class A quarterfinal matchup with Warren County.
Lincoln can’t hold early lead | augusta.com
The overflow crowd at Donnie Clack Stadium was in place and ready to go. The home team wasn’t. Wilcox County played a first quarter unlike any other this year, watching Lincoln County turn mistakes into points and threatening to take care of any postgame traffic jam early.
Turner leads Spartans back to Atlanta | onlineathens.com
Athens Academy’s passing game sputtered through a series of missed passes and dropped catches for most of the Spartans’ state quarterfinal game against Brookstone. But in the last two minutes, the No. 9 Spartans connected on three passes to key a come-from-behind 14-13 win against No. 5 Brookstone on Friday at Slaughter Field.
Iannone: Turner is heart of the Spartans | onlineathens.com
Athens Academy strayed from its usual calm, cool and collected demeanor. A celebration erupted at Slaughter Field as the Spartans staged a come-from-behind quarterfinal victory over Brookstone on Friday night. And Jeff Turner was the ring leader.
Atlanta Area
Last-play FG lifts Walton over M.L. King | ajc.com
Adam Shreiner had missed twice. He wasn’t about to miss a third. Shreiner, one of the best kickers in the state, nailed a 36-yard field goal as time expired to cap a two-minute drill drive that was executed to perfection as No. 6 Walton earned a trip to the Georgia Dome with a 20-19 against second-ranked M.L. King.
For brothers, Walton win way more than just a game | ajc.com
Bobby Burns enlisted in the army at age 25. The only reason he gave was 9/11. The only regret he has is not getting to see his little brother, Walton receiver Billy Burns, play a football game. Five years later, after two stints in Iraq, Bobby Burns made it happen Friday night, flying from Germany the night before, keeping it a secret from Billy until sneaking up on him during the team meal before the game.
Tucker takes apart Bainbridge | ajc.com
Much is said — and deservedly so — about the speed of Tucker’s skill players on offense and defense. But the Tigers also might have the fastest offensive line in the state. The six-man unit — Joe Moore, Brandon Harp, Kiivis Middlebrooks, Carl Taylor, Robert Jones and Marcus Clark — trapped and pulled all night, opening up gaping holes in the Bainbridge defense to lead Tucker to a 34-7 win in the AAAA quarterfinal game.
Northside-WR advances to play Tucker | ajc.com
It was business as usual for Northside-Warner Robins: a defense that stifles the opponent and an offense that wears out its opponent. The Eagles (13-0) punched their ticket to the Class AAAA state championship next week with a 30-0 victory over Rome (10-2-1).
Thomas County Central beats East Paulding | ajc.com
No lost leads this time. Thomas County Central’s heading north. A year after surrendering a 20-point lead and losing a quarterfinal game to St. Pius, the Yellow Jackets had no such misfortune in Friday’s quarterfinal, cruising to a 48-21 victory over East Paulding at the Jackets Nest. Thomas County Central will play Ware County on Friday at the Georgia Dome.
Ware Co. buries Habersham Central | ajc.com
Ware County advanced to the state semifinals with an easy 30-0 victory over Habersham Central. The Gators (11-2) held Habersham Central (11-2) to 85 total yards and advanced to the semifinals for the second time in five years. Ware will play Thomas County Central at 9 p.m. Friday at the Georgia Dome.
Chamblee ends a 42-year drought | ajc.com
When Chamblee stop beating itself Friday, it had little trouble with Westover in the Class AAA quarterfinals at North DeKalb Stadium. Chamblee had five fumbles, four that led to Westover scores, but Bulldogs running back Warren Norman was too much for the Patriots to handle.
Cairo overwhelms Carver early, often | ajc.com
Carver-Atlanta’s most memorable season in 40 years ended in a most forgettable way Friday night when Cairo overwhelmed the visiting Panthers 48-6 in a Class AAA quarterfinal game. The Syrupmakers (12-1) scored touchdowns on their first six possessions while Carver’s offense could not muster any response as the game was out of reach by halftime. Cairo advances to the semifinals to play North Hall on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
North Hall makes semis for first time | ajc.com
One drought down, one to go. A community gripped by the shrinking water levels of Lake Lanier saw one drought evaporate Friday night when North Hall edged Perry 12-10 in the Class AAA quarterfinals in front of an overflow crowd at the Brickyard. The victory rewarded North Hall with the school’s first semifinal playoff appearance in its 51-year history, against Cairo at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Late TD boosts Carver-Columbus over Carrollton | ajc.com
Carver-Columbus beat Carrollton 14-7 in a tough defensive game Friday night. Carrollton’s Web site called for a blackout game at Grisham Stadium, but Carver (13-0) got two touchdowns from quarterback Deron Furr, including a 27-yarder with three minutes left, to beat the Trojans (11-2).
Buford exacts revenge on Charlton | ajc.com
Buford took out three years of frustration and ended Charlton County’s reign as AA champions. Demetris Murray scored two touchdowns, including the game-clincher with two minutes to play, to lead No. 1 Buford past No. 2 Charlton County 21-14, Friday at raucous Indians Stadium.
Hicks lifts Lovett past Thomasville | ajc.com
As Thomasville planned its trip to the Dome, Andre Hicks sat back and waited. The Bulldogs had just pulled ahead with a field goal with 23.7 seconds remaining, and Hicks hadn’t seen the ball on a kickoff since he took the opening one 64 yards.
Cook runs over GAC’s win streak | ajc.com
Greater Atlanta Christian had given up a total of 20 points during its five-game win streak. But the Spartans hadn’t faced an offense like Cook’s wing-T — or a runner like Thad Williams.
Dublin downs Pepperell; Buford up next | ajc.com
Dublin scored a late touchdown to seal a 27-13 win over pesky Pepperell Friday night. The Irish put away the game with a touchdown in the final three minutes on a short kickoff. Pepperell, behind 20-6 at halftime, battled back to cut the lead to 20-13.
Clinch Co. ends Fellowship Christian’s run | ajc.com
About the only thing that went wrong this week for Clinch County, which defeated Fellowship Christian 26-13 in the Class A quarterfinals, was the coin toss to determine homefield. With both teams being No. 1 seeds, the coaches had a coin toss, with Clinch County losing, forcing them on a 12-hour round-trip journey from Homerville for Friday’s game.
Wilcox Co. rallies to beat Lincoln | ajc.com
Wilcox broke a four-game losing streak to Lincoln County by rallying from a three-TD deficit to win 34-24. The Red Devils built a 21-0 in the first quarter thanks to special team errors by Wilcox. The Patriots had a punt blocked, allowed a punt return for a touchdown, botched a snap on a punt and had a PAT blocked.
Athens Academy edges Brookstone | ajc.com
The Athens Academy Spartans (12-1) earned their second straight semifinals appearance by driving 48 yards in nine plays for the winning score to beat Brookstone 14-13. Jeff Turner’s 4-yard run with 1:28 left proved the difference.
ECI battles back to beat Warren Co. | ajc.com
ECI trailed three different times to Warren County but finally prevailed 34-17. Washaun Ealey rushed 22 times for 208 yards as ECI (13-0) overcame deficits of 6-0, 10-6 and 17-13 to earn its first trip to the Georgia Dome. ECI will play Clinch County at noon Friday.
Win sets Walton up for North Gwinnett rematch | mdjonline.com
Senior place-kicker Adam Shreiner, who missed two first-half field goals for Walton, connected on two in the second half, including the game-winner as time expired, gave the Raiders a 20-19 victory over previously undefeated M.L. King on Friday in the Class AAAAA state quarterfinals at Hallford Stadium.
Shreiner saves his best for the end | mdjonline.com
Highly touted kickers like Adam Shreiner are going to miss a field goal or two every once in a while. But they are known for nailing the ones that matter most. Shreiner’s foot is the main reason Walton will be playing in the Georgia Dome next Saturday. After missing two field goals in the first half against M.L. King on Friday night at Hallford Stadium, he couldn’t have been more on target when he made a 37-yarder as the final seconds ticked away to give his team a 20-19 win.
Heartbreaker: Trojans season ends with hard-luck loss in state quarterfinal against No. 1 Carver-Columbus | times-georgian.com
Considering how the momentum swayed back and forth all night, the ending to Friday night’s Class AAA quarterfinal game between Carrollton and Carver-Columbus seemed fitting. One moment the Trojans were celebrating what they thought was a fumble recovery by Kaluum Reese at the Carrollton 35-yard line. The next minute they were watching Carver quarterback Deron Furr run into the end zone for a touchdown that snapped a tie with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Bounces just don’t go Trojans way | times-georgian.com
Dell McGee’s main concern entering Friday night’s playoff rematch was stopping the Carrollton “momentum-wave.” And, boy, did the Carver-Columbus coach dodge a lot of bullets in regard to that. Because the Trojans definitely had the opportunities, but in each instance the ball just didn’t seem to bounce their way. “You’ve got to have a little luck to win a state championship and (Friday night) was our lucky night,” McGee said.
Quarterfinals Video Recaps | wsbtv.com
FredCam: GAC v. Cook | 11alive.com
11Alive’s Fred Kalil took the FredCam on the road to watch Greater Atlanta Christian battle Cook in the third week of playoff action on Operation Football.
Highlights: Perry v. North Hall | 11alive.com
Perry clashed with North Hall in the third round of playoff action on Operation Football.
Highlights: Fellowship Christian v. Clinch Co. | 11alive.com
Fellowship Christian battled Clinch County in the third week of the playoffs on Operation Football.
Highlights: Bainbridge v. Tucker | 11alive.com
Bainbridge took on Tucker in the third round of Operation Football playoff action.
Highlights: Westover v. Chamblee | 11alive.com
Westover clashed with Chamblee in the third playoff week of Operation Football.
Highlights: Walton v. MLK | 11alive.com
Walton battled MLK in the third round of playoff action on Operation Football!
Columbus Area
Furr helps Carver top Carrollton, advance to AAA state semifinals | ledger-enquirer.com
A handful of the Carrollton assistant coaches walked over to Carver quarterback DeRon Furr and congratulated him after the game. And then they told him that they were glad he was graduating. Furr broke a 26-yard run and then scored a 35-yard touchdown with 3:37 left to propel Carver a 14-7 win against Carrollton on Friday night in the Class AAA quarterfinals.
Macon Area
Uncontested: Tattnall Square waltzes to 10th GISA state title | macon.com
DeAndre Smelter wasn’t alive when Barney Hester won his first state championship in 1988. He wasn’t for the second or the third, either. But it was Smelter, Tattnall Square’s only sophomore starter, along with a standout defense that helped ensure Hester won his second straight and 10th overall GISA Class AAA championship on Friday.
High school football scores and boxes, Nov. 30, 2007 | macon.com
High school football photos, Nov. 30, 2007 | macon.com
Big players come up with big plays for Tattnall | macon.com
State championship football games are usually expected to be close affairs, with two teams battling in the trenches for a common goal that is as near as it will ever be. Tattnall Square’s 42-7 victory over Pinewood Christian on Friday night was not that way.
Scott shoulders the blame for Perry loss | macon.com
It has been one of the biggest decisions in Perry head coach Andy Scott’s career - kick a field goal or try for a touchdown. He toyed with the decision Friday night with 10.1 seconds to go in the GHSA Class AAA quarterfinals against No. 3 North Hall.
Defensive line helps to lift Trojans | macon.com
Long before Tattnall Square took the field Friday night, defensive linemen Colby Andrews and Justin Henry knew that if they could slow down the Pinewood Christian rushing attack, then the Trojans had a great chance to come out victorious. Little did they know, however, that they would combine for one of the biggest plays of the Tattnall season on special teams.
Northside slams Rome, punches ticket to Dome | macon.com
Northside defense blanked its third consecutive playoff opponent as the Eagles steamrolled Rome 30-0 in a GHSA Class AAAA quarterfinal game at McConnell-Talbert Stadium Friday.
Brookwood’s big plays sink Windsor in final | macon.com
Windsor head football coach Michael Smallwood said he knew the Brookwood Warriors had an explosive offensive entering Friday night’s GISA Class AA championship game. He just wasn’t expecting the Warriors to be this explosive.
Brookwood’s big plays sink Windsor in final | macon.com
Savannah Area
Ealey, Bulldogs continue march in state playoffs | savannahnow.com
Emanuel County Institute found itself in an unfamiliar place at halftime Friday, trailing the Screaming Devils of Warren County. Trailing at the end of the third quarter was even more unfamiliar. But at the end of the game, when it mattered the most, the Bulldogs were in a familiar and comfortable place. The Bulldogs scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come from behind to take a 34-17 Class A quarterfinal victory and advance next Friday to the state semifinals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Valdosta Area
Lowndes beats Roswell 31-20, makes semis for third time in four years | valdostadailytimes.com
There was a basic theme to Lowndes’ game plan against Roswell Friday. “Hit them early, and don’t look back.” That’s what Lowndes center Ethan Barwick said the Vikings wanted to do in the Class AAAAA state quarterfinals, and that’s exactly what the Region 1-AAAAA champions did.
Cook advances to the Dome with 34-20 win | valdostadailytimes.com
Cook High’s football team is heading to the Dome. Cook earned a spot in the state semifinals with a 34-20 victory over Greater Atlanta Christian Friday night. The Hornets (10-3) will face Lovett at noon next Saturday in the Georgia Dome. This will be Cook’s first trip to the Dome since 2001. The Hornets were the only No. 4 seed still alive after the second round of the playoffs.
Clinch going to the Dome yet again | valdostadailytimes.com
Ronnie Hill ran for three touchdowns for the Clinch County Panthers, who defeated Fellowship Christian 26-13 in the Class A quarterfinals Friday. With the win, Clinch will face Emmanuel County Institute at noon Friday in the Georgia Dome in the state semifinals. This is the Panthers’ seventh trip to the Dome in the past eight seasons.
Statewide
Classic win sends North Hall to the Dome | accessnorthga.com
Sometimes it can all come down to one play. And sometimes that one play continues a dream season, sending a team to a plateau that it has never reached before. Friday night, the one play turned out to be a missed field goal with less than six seconds to go; and the grateful team turned out to be North Hall, who heads to the semifinals of the Class-AAA playoffs for the first time in its long history. The Trojans will face Cairo at 3 p.m. on Dec. 8 in the Georgia Dome.
History sometimes measured in inches | accessnorthga.com
Sometimes it’s impossible to measure history. Yet on Friday night at North Hall, history measured up at about five feet. That’s how far right Perry High kicker Bill Freeman missed on a potential game-winning field goal that sealed a 12-10 Trojans playoff victory. The kick sent North Hall to its first-ever berth in the Class AAA semifinals at the Georgia Dome and also sent a stadium full of Trojan fans into delirium.
Buford ends frustration against Indians | accessnorthga.com
The Buford football team erased four years of frustration Friday night, knocking off Charlton County 21-14 in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state playoffs. The three-time defending state champion Indians had knocked the Wolves out of the playoffs each of the past three seasons — all at Tom Riden Stadium in Buford.
Raiders denied spot in AAAA semifinals | accessnorthga.com
Ware County’s suffocating defense and speedy offense proved too much for Habersham Central, as the Gators shutout the Raiders, 30-0 in the class AAAA quarterfinals on Friday night in Waycross. The loss denies the Raiders a chance to play in the Georgia Dome for the second straight year.
Bulldogs hold on to beat Newnan, head to Dome | accessnorthga.com
North Gwinnett scored 21 consecutive points in the second half and then held off a furious rally in the final minute to beat Newnan 38-35 and advance to the Class AAAAA semifinals at the Georgia Dome. The Bulldogs will face Walton, which defeated M.L. King 20-19, at 6 p.m. Dec. 8.
Hornets fly past GAC to the Dome | accessnorthga.com
Cook County defeated Greater Atlanta Christian 34-20 Friday night to advance to the Class AA semifinals next week in the Georgia Dome. Cook received a huge game from Tailback Thad Williams, who ran all over the Spartans for 236 rushing yards and also intercepted a pass to help seal the win.
Friday Night Live | 790thezone.com
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