Defending Region 5-AAAAA champion Allatoona started the season in a hole after losing to East Paulding 17-10 in its opener.
Five wins later, the Buccaneers are back on top.
Quarterback Brandon Rainey passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more to lead 10th-ranked Allatoona (5-1, 4-1) to a 35-14 victory over previously unbeaten Alexander to move into sole possession of first place, a half-game ahead of Alexander, East Paulding and South Paulding, all of which are 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the region.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Allatoona coach Gary Varner said. “We’re not the best in the region, but we’re getting better each week.”
Alexander came in with one of the state’s most balanced offenses, but it was Allatoona that showed the definition of balance, finishing with 188 yards both rushing and passing.
Rainey was 8-for-12 passing for 188 yards for the Buccaneers, who trailed 14-13 at halftime. He threw a 60-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to Brady Eeles, who finished with four catches for 100 yards, and had second-half scoring passes to Russell Halimon (26 yards) and Turner Cockrell (27 yards). Rainey also had touchdown runs of 43 and 4 yards. Halimon rushed for 139 yards on 25 carries.
“I think we are a balanced team,” Varner said. “When you run a certain style, we run the I so the tailback gets the credit. We throw the ball when it’s there and when teams try to over-cheat on us. Rainey’s in his first year playing at quarterback, and he’s just getting better every week. That’s been a big difference. I don’t think you can cheat us now.”
Alexander outgained Allatoona 400-376 for the game. Quarterback Baylor Whitfield was 18-for-35 passing for 231 yards and a touchdown. His main target was Justin Hall, who caught 12 passes for 124 yards. Daetrich Harrington led the running game with 165 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries.
But the Cougars had trouble finishing drives in the second half, and it proved costly. Alexander turned the ball over on downs on all five of its second-half possessions, four of which ended in Allatoona territory, and was shut out in the final three quarters.
Allatoona had no such trouble. The Buccaneers scored on three of their first four possessions of the second half to put the game away.
Allatoona scored on its first two possessions of the game, but Alexander answered each time. Whitfield’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Hall with 1:15 to play in the first quarter gave Alexander a 14-13 lead that stood until the third quarter.
Alexander – 14-0-0-0 – 14
Allatoona – 13-0-7-15 – 35
Alla – Brandon Rainey 43 run (Skyler Davis kick)
Alex – Daetrich Harrington 1 run (Kristaps Dickinson kick)
Alla – Brady Eeles 60 pass from Rainey (kick failed)
Alex – Justin Hall 46 pass from Baylor Whitfield (Dickinson kick)
Alla – Russell Halimon 26 pass from Rainey (Davis kick)
Alla – Turner Cockrell 27 pass from Rainey (Halimon run)
Alla – Rainey 4 run (Davis kick)
About the Author
