No. 6 Langston Hughes remained atop the Region 3-AAAAAA race Friday with a 20-13 win over South Cobb in the first meeting between the schools.
Visiting Hughes controlled the clock and contained Eagles’ senior quarterback Kylil Carter, who had averaged over 430 yards of offense per game. The Panthers’ pass rush, led by first-team all-state defensive end D’Andre Walker and Keevin Holt, applied pressure throughout and forced several holding penalties against the Eagles’ offensive line.
The defensive aggression produced several personal fouls keeping South Cobb in the contest, and the Eagles fought back behind two fourth-quarter scoring drives to pull within 20-13 with just over four minutes left to play. The Eagles took possession with 35 seconds left at the 35-yard line, but Carter threw three incompletions and an interception to Kenyan Houston on fourth down.
Carter finished with 116 yards on 18-of-35 passing and a fourth-quarter touchdown to receiver Khaleel Shaw. Hughes (6-1, 4-0 in Region 3-AAAAAA) continued to share the region lead with Westlake and will host the resurgent Lions next Friday.
“We’re looking forward to trying to compete,” Langston Hughes coach Willie Cannon said. “We’ve yet to play at what I think are our standards. Hopefully we can play on their level and make it a very competitive game.”
Panthers quarterback Isaiah Green accounted for three touchdowns, including a 4-yard run that gave his team a 20-3 lead near the end of the third quarter. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns, along with two interceptions.
Hughes drove 91 yards over 13 plays for a touchdown to go ahead early in the second quarter. On fourth-and-goal from the 8, Montavious Atkinson took in a pass from Isaiah Green in the left corner of the end zone. A lost fumble by Tyler Green on the ensuing kickoff gave Hughes the ball at the Eagles’ 15, and Green hit Kenyan Houston for a 9-yard score on the fifth play of the drive.
The first of two Carlos Saldona field goals, from 37 yards out, pulled South Cobb within 14-3 with 4:12 to play before halftime.
“They have outstanding team speed, and it’s a testament to their coaching staff and strength,” South Cobb coach Sherrod Rainge said. “It’s something we aspire toward.”
Coming into the matchup, the Eagles’ offense had scored at least 28 points in every outing, including 57 in a win over Pope in September. Before Friday, Hughes had allowed just 26 points in three games since giving up a season-high 26 points in a loss to No. 2 Grayson four weeks ago.
Hughes 0 14 6 0 20
South Cobb 0 3 0 10 13
H – Montavious Atkinson 8 pass from Isaiah Green (Fernando Sdelamora kick)
H – Kenyan Houston 9 pass from Green (Sdelamora kick)
S – Carlos Saldona 37 FG
H – Green 4 run (kick failed)
S – Khaleel Shaw 12 pass from Kylil Carter (Saldona kick)
S – Saldona 30 FG
About the Author
