Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
No. 8 Callaway was able to turn the tables on No. 4 Central Carrollton on Friday, giving the Cavaliers the Region 5-AAA championship and helping them erase the memory of last year’s last-minute defeat.
This one wasn’t quite as dramatic as last year, when Central blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown as time expired to win the game. But it still measured high on the drama-meter.
No. 8 Callaway had wasted a 14-0 lead and had the ball with four minutes left on its own end of the field. That’s when tailback Cedric Maynard broke free for a 71-yard run to put the Cavs in scoring position. Two plays later, with only a couple minutes left, quarterback Dylan Johnson scored on a 2-yard keeper to put Callaway on top.
The game wasn’t decided until Dre Martin came up with an interception, which allowed Callaway to run out the clock.
Callaway (9-1) has won nine straight and will host Hart County in the first round of the playoffs. Central (9-1) will host Elbert County on Friday.
Region 1: Southeast Bulloch advances
Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
A year ago Division A swept the Division B teams and took all the playoff spots for themselves. This year Southeast Bulloch was able to salvage some pride for the Division B subregion by beating Appling County 41-25 and earned the right to host a first-round playoff game against Westminster.
Southeast (7-3) was led by Chase Walker, who carried 36 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and Michael Davis, who ran for 105 yards and one touchdown. The win helped atone for last year’s elimination loss to Appling County.
The Division A teams moving on are No. 5 Dodge County, Pierce County and Cook.
Region 4: Blessed Trinity, Cedar Grove share title
It wasn’t supposed to end like this, but a coin flip determined the outcome of the championship when the two teams decided the field at Panthersville Stadium was unplayable and dangerous because of all the water dumped on during a storm that stopped play at the end of regulation.
Both teams get home games. No. 2 Blessed Trinity will open against Cook and No. 3 Cedar Grove will meet pass-crazed Pierce County.
Region 7: West Hall grabs final spot
Defending region champion West Hall (5-5) won its last three games to claim the final playoff spot in Region 7-AAA. The Spartans went to Lumpkin County and took a 14-7 win. Their reward? A first round game against No. 1 Calhoun, which won its 15th straight region title.
Region 8: Oconee takes the title
Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
Oconee County outslugged Elbert County in the mud in Watkinsville. The Blue Devils won 12-7 and won the Region 8-AAA championship in the process. It was the school’s first region title since 2004.
Oconee County (8-2) got a pair of touchdowns passes from Zeb Noland, who completed only 3 of 7 on the wet field. One was to Chance Peden for touchdown, the other to Ty Paschal. But the bulk of the work was done by Christian Casey, who rushed for 150 yards and kept the ball away from the Elbert offense.
Elbert County (8-2) ran for 188 yards, 110 of it from Tra Barnett, who scored the lone touchdown for the Blue Devils.
Region 8: Wood sets rushing record
Jefferson sophomore Colby Wood broke the school’s single-season rushing record by running for 254 yards in the season finale against Hart County. He now has 1,965 yards. The record had been held by Curtis Seagar. He ran for 1,881 yards in 1950.
