Hawkinsville struggled to get anything going offensively against Irwin County on Friday at the Georgia Dome, but the Red Devils finally got a big break from their special teams.
Two more costly Irwin County mistakes followed in rapid succession, and the Red Devils turned all three into the points they needed to beat Irwin County 15-6 in the Class A public-school championship game. The victory gave Hawkinsville its first state title since 2004 and sixth in school history.
Hawkinsville (13-1) blocked a punt and an extra point, sacked the punter for a 32-yard loss after a bad snap, recorded a safety on a kickoff, intercepted a pass and recovered three of Irwin County’s five fumbles. That’s all part of what Hawkinsville coach David Daniell has come to expect from a defense that allowed just 7.4 points per game this season.
“Defensively, our guys have just played phenomenal all year long,” Daniell said. “I told the kids it was going to come down to turnovers, and we were fortunate enough to get some. We caused a couple of them. And they had two bad snaps, but that’s stuff that plays into a football game. You’ve just got to eliminate those things.”
Hawkinsville took the lead for good at 8-6 on the opening play of the second half when Irwin County’s Cartavion Benyard fielded the kickoff at the 2-yard line, ran back into the end zone as he tried to cut across the field, and was tackled for a safety.
Irwin County’s two bad snaps out of punt formation led to both of Hawkinsville’s touchdowns. The first, midway through the second quarter, resulted in a blocked punt that Hawkinsville recovered on the 5-yard line. Warren Singletary Jr. scored on a 3-yard run four plays later to tie the game 6-6. The other was recovered by punter Nathan Tucker at his 23 but gave Hawkinsville the ball on downs, and Singletary scored on a 1-yard run for a 15-6 lead midway through the third quarter.
As it turned out, the Hawkinsville offense needed the help. The Red Devils finished with just four first downs and 95 yards of total offense, including 72 yards on 46 carries from a running game that was averaging 209.5 yards per game. Reginald McDonald led the way with 42 yards on 16 carries.
Irwin County (11-2-1) finished with 166 yards of offense despite losing 56 yards on the two bad snaps. Jakyron Young and Robert Moore, who both averaged more than 100 yards per game rushing this season, finished with 72 and 61 yards.
Hawkinsville – 0-6-9-0 – 15
Irwin County – 6-0-0-0 – 6
I – Jakyron Young 13 run (kick blocked)
H – Warren Singletary Jr. 3 run (kick failed)
H – Safety, kickoff returner tackled in end zone
H – Singletary 1 run (Tyler Brown kick)
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