Pierce County did something Friday that had not been done since the 2003 season -- shut down Fitzgerald (17-0). And in the process, the defending-champion and No. 3-ranked Bears earned the program’s first-ever victory against the perennial playoff stalwart.
Washington County (42-0) and Crisp County (14-0) defeated Fitzgerald during that 2003 season. Since that time, the Purple Hurricanes have been to the state title game three times, the semifinals four times and the quarterfinals four times. Last season, Fitzgerald lost to Callaway 22-17 in the 2A title game.
Long story short, it was a big victory for the town of Blackshear. And across the top 10 there were nine active teams Friday, with Hart County the only ranked team enjoying an off week.
All of them won.
Notable results:
-- No. 2 Oconee County outlasted Class 5A Veterans on the road after trailing 10-0 late in the second quarter. Jake Johnson had nine catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Warriors. Jacob Wright was 16-of-21 passing for 210 yards and four touchdowns. C.J. Jones had 19 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. Whit Weeks had three carries for 40 yards and eight tackles. Billy Lewis made his fourth interception in three games for the Warriors.
-- Top-ranked Cedar Grove beat Carver-Atlanta 17-0 in a Region 5 game. Also in Region 5, Sandy Creek enjoyed 56-7 victory against Douglass-Atlanta.
-- No. 5 Peach County seems to be back on track after early COVID-19 troubles, and the Trojans are rolling. Peach defeated Sumter County 59-0 on the road in a Region 2 game.
-- No. 6 Appling County (41-7 over 5A Wayne) and No. 8 Monroe Area (38-10 over 6A Lakeside-Evans) each beat higher-classed opponents.
-- In Region 4-3A, No. 7 Thomson defeated Morgan County 42-14, and No. 10 Burke County beat Cross Creek 41-8. Both are front-runners in that region.
Week 6 top-10 results
1. (1) Cedar Grove (3-1) defeated Carver-Atlanta 17-0 (5-3A Game).
2. (2) Oconee County (5-0) defeated 5A Veterans 35-16.
3. (3) Pierce County (4-1) defeated Class 2A No. 3 Fitzgerald 17-0.
4. (5) Sandy Creek (4-0) defeated Douglass 56-7 (5-3A Game).
5. (4) Peach County (2-2) defeated Sumter County 59-0 (2-3A Game).
6. (6) Appling County (5-0) defeated 5A Wayne County 41-7.
7. (8) Thomson (3-0) defeated Morgan County 42-14 (4-3A Game).
8. (9) Monroe Area (4-0) defeated 6A Lakeside-Evans 38-10.
9. (10) Hart County (4-0) Off.
10. (NR) Burke County (2-0) defeated Cross Creek 41-8 (4-3A Game).
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