It’ll go down as a 29-27 loss on the record, but you’d probably have a hard time convincing any Lamar County fans that they truly lost Friday night’s game against Class AAAA Mary Persons.
During a timeout as the ninth-ranked Trojans were preparing to attempt a two-point conversion that could have tied the game late in the third quarter, the game was halted due to lightning and was never resumed.
Following a two-hour delay, the game was called in accordance with GHSA rules, and Mary Persons was declared the winner.
"I don't know really how to feel," Mary Persons coach Brian Nelson told the Macon Telegraph. "I mean, I don't really know what else we could have done to finish the game, and the rules clearly state that after a two-hour delay, the game is to be cancelled with the score on the board the official score. The rules also state that a game can't be re-started after 11:30 and there was no way to make it sooner."
Mary Persons was playing without five players, who were suspended as a result of a video taunting Lamar County players that was posted to Facebook.
The Bulldogs led 29-13 before Lamar County scored twice late in the third quarter to quickly close the gap.
Another top team falls
The trend continues. Each week this season, one of the top four teams in AA has lost. No. 2 Washington-Wilkes became the latest victim, falling 14-7 to Jefferson County on Friday.
The Tigers are having trouble generating offense lately. They needed two defensive touchdowns to get past Wilkinson County last week, 27-18, and didn’t score against Jefferson County until midway through the fourth quarter.
Jefferson County, meanwhile, could still be a factor in AA. The Warriors started the season 0-2, but both losses came against AAAA teams. They’ll be at Glenn Hills next week before diving into Region 3-AA play.
Lovett isn’t going away
Don’t be fooled by the two losses on Lovett’s record. The defending state champs served notice Friday night that they’ll remain a fixture near the top of Class AA with a 21-20 win over Woodward Academy (No. 5, AAAA).
The sixth-ranked Lions, who led 21-0 midway through the third quarter, survived a 260-yard performance by Woodward running back Elijah Holyfield, and Wes Haley blocked a War Eagles PAT attempt with 33 seconds left to preserve the win.
Lovett (2-2) now turns to Region 6-AA play, hosting No. 8 B.E.S.T. Academy next week. The Eagles (2-1) edged past Therrell on Friday, 15-6. Assuming B.E.S.T. holds its ranking, it will be the fourth straight game for Lovett against teams currently ranked in the top 10 of their respective classes.
Blue Devils heating up
For the first time since 1981, Model is off to a 4-0 start.
The Blue Devils look like they could be ready to take a step forward under third-year coach Gordon Powers after they racked up 445 yards of total offense and knocked off Bremen 29-12 on Friday. Model hadn’t had a winning season since 1999 before Powers took over, but went 6-5 in 2012 and improved to 7-4 last year.
Nakyle Watkins, a 5-foot-10, 215-pound bruiser at running back for the Blue Devils, has gone over 100 yards in all four games and ran 23 times for 200 yards Friday night. The senior is complemented by 5-9, 165-pound sophomore Chris Dublin, who ran 13 times for 127 yards against Bremen.
Model is off next week before beginning its 7-AA slate at Dade County on Sept. 26. It’s probably too early to be concerned with such matters, but in case you’re wondering, the Blue Devils haven’t won a region title since 1979.
About the Author
