No. 4 Carrollton learned a lesson about the depth in Region 6. The Trojans had to score 14 points in the fourth quarter to survive with a 24-21 win over East Paulding. Just one more piece of evidence that explains why it’s the most difficult league in Class AAAAA.
Carrollton got in trouble it survived a fumbled punt and a personal foul and was back up on the 1. Three plays later East Paulding’s Jordan Harvey returned an interception 5 yards for a touchdown.
The Trojans scored twice before the half and led 10-7, but East Paulding came out and scored twice on Tyrell Robinson runs, the second one 98 yards. Robinson finished with 26 carries and 161 yards.
Carrollton, trailing 21-10, pulled close when quarterback Kashif Taylor broke for a 71-yard touchdown run. The Trojans drove for the winning score with 5:20 left, culminating in an 16-yard run by Brandon Marenco. The drive was extended when Taylor completed an 11-yard pass to Isaiah Lancaster on fourth-and-6.
Trent Lane rushed 24 times for 180 yards and one touchdown for Carrollton (4-1, 2-1). Taylor ran for 72 yards and threw for 85.
Rome keeps rolling: The No. 1-ranked Wolves won their 32nd straight game, beating Cass 49-14. Rome led 35-0 at halftime and played backups in the final two periods. Jamious Griffin ran 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Knox Kadum completed 6 of 10 for 79 yards and one touchdown and ran for 53 yards and one score.
No. 2 Buford takes a tumble: The Wolves lost to Class AAAAAAA No. 5 Archer 48-24 and were outscored 35-7 in the second half. Buford scored on two long drives in the first half that resulted in a 27-yard pass from Aaron McLaughlin to Xyre Wilson and a 10-yard run from Derrian Brown. Brown, who committed to Texas last week, ran 30 times for 150 yards. Buford had a hard time dealing with Archer quarterback Carter Peevy, who rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two touchdowns.
“Credit to Archer, coach (Andy) Dyer’s team, they made plays in the second half and they made plays in the third quarter when they had to,” Buford coach John Ford told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “Our kids fought, but we came up a little short there.”
It marks the first time Buford has lost more than one regular-season game since it went 7-3 in 2012. That team went on to win the state championship.
Warner Robins bounces back: The No. 6 Demons recovered in time to beat rival Northside 39-34. It is the second straight years Warner Robins has beaten Northside, which it derisively refers to as "the blue school."
No. 3 Stockbridge gets a shutout: The Tigers easily handled Columbia 42-0 on a night when all the other Region 4 teams were idle. Jevon McDonald threw for a pair of scores and the Tigers got touchdown runs from Quantez Futch, Ricardo Dupress Jr. and Steve Bonner. Yahsyn McKee had a pair of interceptions.
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