Flowery Branch overcomes 10-point deficit to win

With a spot in the Class AAA semifinals on the line, Flowery Branch rose to the occasion Friday night with a hard-fought 35-17 win over Baldwin County.

Led by quarterback Connor Shaw, the Falcons made a late charge in the third quarter to preserve the victory.

“This is just a great win for our team,” coach Lee Shaw said. “I am really proud of our guys.”

After taking an early 7-0 lead, Baldwin County responded by scoring 17 unanswered points. Despite getting behind, Flowery Branch didn’t panic.

Starting the second half, Flowery Branch made a point of establishing the run. Handing it off to Daniel Drummond, the Falcons ran through the Baldwin defense.

“They just outplayed us in the second half,” Baldwin coach Jesse Hicks said. “We couldn’t find a way to stop them.”

With the Falcon defense putting pressure on quarterback Roshaun Miline, Baldwin was held scoreless in the second half.

“Once we got the 17-7 lead at halftime, we were feeling pretty good,” Miline said. “They just played better than we did from that point on. This one really hurts.”

More Class AAA

• Cairo 23, Eastside 6: A driving rain and a scrappy Eastside team tested the top-ranked Syrupmakers (12-0). Trailing 13-6, the Eagles threatened early in the second half when a botched Cairo punt gave them a first down at the Syrupmaker 7. But the Cairo defense stiffened and stopped the visitors on fourth-and-goal from the 1. Cairo’s ensuing drive ended in a 28-yard field goal by Logan Gainous. Quarterback Angelo Pease put the game away with a late 15-yard touchdown run.

Cairo advances to play Carver-Columbus in what will reprise the 2007 Class AAA title game, won 16-13 by Carver.

Eastside (11-2) did its damage early, driving 78 yards for a touchdown off the opening kickoff, with Broderick Alexander carrying it in from 1 yard out.

The Syrupmakers responded with an 80-yard scoring drive, capped by Reginald Bryant’s 1-yard run. Bryant scored again on a 12-yard pass from Pease, and Cairo led 13-6 at halftime.

Both teams came in averaging over 30 points a game, but the sloppy conditions stymied offensive play for much of the night.

Ronnie Wooten led Cairo rushers with 107 yards on nine carries.

• Carver-Columbus 28, Gainesville 14: Isaiah Crowell rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers (11-2) sent Gainesville (12-1) packing.

Blake Sims completed 22 of 34 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns for the Red Elephants. Tai-ler Jones caught 10 passes for 106 yards and a score.