FOOTBALL REPORT

CHASING A BIG RECORD

Ealey approaches TD milestone

Washaun Ealey is within one touchdown of the state career record after posting his best game of the season Friday in Emanuel County Institute’s 49-22 victory against Treutlen.

Ealey rushed 22 times for 315 yards and four touchdowns, leaving him one short of the record of 111 TDs, set by Pacelli’s Matt Dunham from 2001 to 2004. ECI coach Milan Turner said Ealey played only three quarters against Treutlen, but that it was the first time this season he had played for more than about a half because of lopsided scores.

Ealey blew away the single-season record with 58 touchdowns in 15 games last season, when he rushed for 2,982 yards in leading the Bulldogs to the Class A championship. This year, he has 107 carries for 1,204 yards and 18 touchdowns for the 6-0 Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in Class A.

He’ll go for the record on Friday against Johnson County, which is 7-0 and the home of the former state record holder for career yardage, Herschel Walker.

Ealey, who has committed to Georgia, appears to be taking the record in stride.

“He hasn’t even mentioned it,” Turner said.

POWER SHIFT

Grayson controls its fate

Grayson took control of the race for the Region 8-AAAAA championship Friday night, beating Brookwood 10-7 and leaving itself as the only undefeated team in the region.

It was the first victory against the Broncos in five meetings for the No. 4-ranked Rams, who are 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the region.

To claim the region title and No. 1 seed, the Rams need to win two of their final three games against Berkmar, Meadowcreek and Central Gwinnett, which have a combined record of 5-14. Brookwood is the region’s three-time defending champion.

“We wanted to have a shot at winning the region,” Grayson coach Mickey Conn told the AJC’s Stan Awtrey. “And you’ve got to beat Brookwood and Parkview because they’ve been doing it for so long.”

The Rams weren’t the only team recording a first on Friday. Here are some of the other teams that made school history:

> Collins Hill: The Eagles are 6-0 for the first time since the school began playing football in 1994. They are one of three teams undefeated in Region 7-AAAAA play. One of those, Peachtree Ridge, is their opponent at home this week. They don’t play North Gwinnett, which also is 4-0 in the region.

> Dacula: The Falcons put themselves firmly into the playoff race by beating Parkview for the first time in school history. Dacula is tied with Brookwood for second place behind Grayson in Region 8-AAAAA. Parkview had outscored Dacula by an average of 30-3 in their six previous meetings.

> Howard: The Huskies picked up the first victory in school history, beating Monticello 36-21. The first-year Macon school had been outscored by an average of 45-4 during its 0-5 start.

> Johnson-Savannah: The Atomsmashers have a four-game winning streak for the first time since 1998 after beating Beach 21-6. That streak will be put to the ultimate test this week when Johnson travels to No. 2-ranked Camden County, which hasn’t lost a region game since 1999. The Atomsmashers (4-2 overall, 3-0 in Region 3-AAAAA), who are tied for first place in the region with Camden and Bradwell Institute, are searching for their first playoff appearance since 1992.

IN CONTROL

Lowndes alone atop 1-AAAAA

Defending state champion Lowndes is the only remaining undefeated team in powerful Region 1-AAAAA after it accomplished a first of its own Friday night —- the Vikings’ 14-7 victory against Valdosta was their fifth straight against the county rival.

Lowndes’ victory, combined with Northside-Warner Robins’ 17-14 win against previously unbeaten Coffee, left the Vikings alone in first place at 4-0 in the region. Coffee, Northside and Tift County are 3-1 in region play.

Lowndes took advantage of a short punt to score the go-ahead touchdown. An 11-yard Valdosta punt from its own 1-yard line gave the Vikings the ball at the 12, and they took it in for a 14-7 lead that held up the rest of the night. It was the closest game the Vikings have had during their school-record 21-game winning streak.

“What a ballgame,” Lowndes coach Randy McPherson told the Valdosta Daily Times. “It was a tough game. That’s how it usually is. I’m just proud of our coaches and players. This was a big win.”