Marion falls to Columbus while ELCA, Landmark slay their bigger foes; Prince Ave rolls; Athens Academy is for real
Here’s what went down Friday night, with a look ahead to a couple of key games next weekend:
Top-ranked Marion County falls to Class AAAAA Columbus
No. 1 Marion County was held scoreless in the second half against a resurgent Blue Jacket squad, and the Eagles (2-1) dropped a 21-14 decision Thursday in Columbus. Marion’s all-state performer Lorenzo Smother returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and the Eagles tied the game 14-14 on the final play of the first half when Matt Dennis caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Quentez Battle. But Colum bus, 4-0 for the first time since 1974, got a 13-yard touchdown run by quarterback Derrick James to take the lead with a little more than eight minutes left in the game, and held on for the win.
ELCA, Landmark knock off teams from higher classes …
No. 4 Eagle’s Landing Christian got payback for one of its losses to teams from higher classifications during last season’s 0-6 start, as the Chargers blanked Class AAAA Whitewater (1-3), 38-0. Meanwhile, No. 5 Landmark downed Class AAA Josey (2-2) of Augusta, 35-13. It was the War Eagles’ second win over the Eagles in as many years, as Landmark won last season, 55-20.
PAC keeps rolling
Prince Avenue Christian might be the best team no one talks about. The Wolverines, ranked No. 2, moved to 4-0, 2-0 in Region 8A, with a 41-7 win over Athens Christian (1-3, 0-2). PAC built a 27-0 halftime lead and never looked back. The Wolverines might move into the No. 1 spot, when the AJC Top 10 is announced Sunday, due to top-ranked Marion County’s loss to Columbus.
Athens Academy is for real
Athens Academy (4-0, 2-0 in Region 8A) validated its undefeated record with a hard-fought 14-7 win over Commerce (2-2, 1-1), Friday in Athens. All the game's points were scored in the third quarter in a defensive struggle. Athens Academy quarterback Drew Richardson scored on a 1-yard run, before Commerce's Caleb Brooks tied the game with a 7-yard run. But Richardson and tight end Wyatt Settles hooked up on an 18-yard scoring pass play with just over five minutes left in the period to give the Spartans the lead. Commerce had a chance to gain one last possession in the game's final 90 seconds, according to the Commerce Main Street News. Athens Academy faced a fourth-and-six at midfield, and Richardson was able to draw the Tiger defense offside with a hard count. After the mark off made it fourth-and-one, Commerce defenders jumped again, giving the Spartans a first down and the win.
Two games to watch this Friday:
Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (3-2) at Woodward Academy (4-0). ELCA looks to continue its "revenge tour" against the War Eagles. Last season, the Chargers dropped their first six games – all non-region contests – four of which were to ranked opponents from higher classifications. One of those losses was to Woodward, 27-7. ELCA thumped Class AAAA Whitewater Friday, 38-0, payback for last season's 21-7 defeat. The Chargers hope to do the same to Woodward, which will be without star running back Elijah Holyfield, who is sitting out with a broken bone in his foot.
Charlton County (3-0) at Turner County (4-0). Ashburn, located about 40 minutes east of Albany, will be rocking for the biggest regular season game for the hometown Rebels in recent memory. Turner County is 4-0 for the first time since 2000, and will look to pull the upset over perennial power Charlton County, which advanced to the public school semi finals last season. Charlton has won six of the last seven meetings with Turner, including a 48-16 thumping last season.
