No. 1 Aquinas escapes. The Irish (4-0, 1-0) needed a touchdown and extra point with just 10 seconds left to avoid being upset by Stratford Academy (1-2, 0-1) in the Region 7 opener for both teams. Aquinas called on their super star, senior RB/DB Ruben Garnett, for the winning score, as he powered in from 3-yards out on fourth down, according to the Augusta Chronicle. Justin Thompson’s extra point kick provided the edge in a 28-27 win. Garnett finished the game with 238 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Eagles’ wing-T offense gave the Irish fits all night, as they rolled up 380 yards rushing with 247 of that coming in the first half, which allowed them to keep the ball away from the Irish offense. O’Showen Williams led the ground assault with 131 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Quarter back Quintez Cephus chipped in with two touchdown runs of his own, to go with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Williams.
No. 2 Marion County escapes, too. The Eagles (3-0) faced a Class AAAAA opponent looking for respect and had to hang on to defeat Columbus (2-2), 34-31. Marion County led 14-0 after the first quarter, and 34-10 early in the third quarter after junior RB/DB Lorenzo Smothers’ 42-yard touchdown reception from Dustin Eckert. Smothers finished with 215 yards rushing on 11 carries and scored four touchdowns. But Columbus rallied by scoring the game’s final 21 points, with the final touchdown coming with 5 minutes left after a blocked punt set their offense up on the Marion County 3-yard line, according to the Columbus Ledger Enquirer. The Eagles ran the clock out to preserve the win and remain unbeaten.
No. 5 Charlton County, No. 8 Hawkinsville send messages. Charlton County (4-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten and started its Region 2 schedule by blasting previously unbeaten Atkinson County 33-0. Meanwhile, Hawkinsville (4-0, 1-0) drilled No. 6 Brookstone (2-1, 0-1), also previously unbeaten, 33-7. The Cougars had won the last three meetings between the two schools, but turned the ball over three times, all leading to points by the Red Devils, who led 33-0 at one point. Running back Reginald McDonald had two touchdown runs for Hawkinsville.
No. 10 ECI falls, Savannah Christian rolls on without Robertson. Emanuel County Institute (3-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten as the Bulldogs were held off by Claxton (2-1), 29-23. The Tigers downed ECI for the second consecutive season after losing the previous seven meetings in the series that dates back to 1947. Meanwhile, look for Savannah Christian (4-0) to jump into the Top 10 this week after the Raiders routed winless Treutlen (0-4), 50-0. Savannah Christian senior quarterback Josh Chamblee led the way with 123 yards rushing on 13 attempts and a touchdown while completing five of seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown, a 58-yarder to Jack Bush who also had a 5-yard touchdown run. The Raiders are still without the services of junior all-state DB/WR Demetris Robertson, who transferred from Savannah Country Day at the start of the school year. He is awaiting clearance from the Georgia High Schools Association.
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