Let’s start by congratulating the Denmark Danes, for scoring a 43-0 victory over Cherokee Bluff in the program’s first-ever game, and also proving that this might be the best first-year team that the state has ever seen. Quarterback Ben Whitlock finished the night 10 of 13 passing for 234 yards and five touchdowns, while the defense dominated the visiting Bears. It will be interesting to see how Denmark stacks up against a very talented Region 7-AAAA this season, but this is certainly an incredible start.
There were other impressive Week 2 results throughout the classification.
Marist surged to a 33-0 halftime lead before closing out visiting Lovett 40-20. Blaine McAllister tossed a pair of late touchdown passes to make the score look respectable for the Lions, but he was picked off three times earlier in the game. The War Eagles took control early by forcing Lovett into three turnovers on three consecutive possessions in the first quarter and they eventually led 40-6 going into the fourth. Marist was led by Lincoln Parker’s three rushing touchdowns. The War Eagles featured a balanced attack that saw them rack up 197 yards through the air and 181 on the ground.
Visiting Sandy Creek outscored Whitewater 28-0 in the second half of its 49-10 victory and limited the Wildcats offense to just three points in the game. Rashad Amos put Sandy Creek up 14-0 in the first quarter with back-to-back touchdown runs, but Whitewater’s Elijah Roland returned the latter’s kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7 entering the second quarter. Matt Williams hit Amos for an 11-yard Sandy Creek touchdown and Whitewater’s Evan Rogers added a field goal before the half to make it a 21-10. Sandy Creek’s Brian Branch returned the opening kickoff of the second half 75 yards for a touchdown and returned to the end zone minutes later on a 15-yard touchdown reception from Williams; Branch also had an interception in the game. Williams added a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
Troup spoiled Ridgeland’s home opener with a 32-0 win and jumped out to a 15-0 halftime lead with Kobe Hudson touchdown passes to Jamari Thrash and Trea Mitchell. Hudson added a rushing touchdown early in the second half and a Heslyn Martinez field goal gave the Tigers a 25-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Tyree Carlisle iced the game with a 3-yard touchdown run in the final frame.
Woodward Academy defeated Grady 58-27 after a disappointing loss to Westminster to open the season. The War Eagles closed out the first half with 42 unanswered points and took a 42-7 lead. Tahj Gary scored on runs of 54 and 1 yard and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Mike Wright. Wright also connected with Parker Kahlert (10 yards) through the air and added a 45-yard touchdown run. Cross Patton ran in the War Eagles’ other first-half touchdown on a 2-yard run with 18 seconds left in the first quarter. Grady opened the second half with an 80-yard touchdown pass and Woodward Academy backup quarterback Banks Snelling answered with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Ambe Cladwell to make it 49-13. The Woodward Academy defense registered a safety and Patton scored on a 24-yard run to push the lead to 58-13 entering the fourth quarter.
Class AAAA also had a successful week competing against higher classifications: Blessed Trinity defeated Class AAAAAAA South Forsyth 35-6, Eastside defeated Class AAAAAAA Newton 27-20 and Cedartown cruised past Class AAAAAA Alexander 33-9.
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