Irwin prevails over Brooks in battle of 1 vs. 2
No. 1 Public Irwin County (2-2) got a 1-yard touchdown run from senior Marcus Edwards midway through the fourth quarter and then hung on claim a 21-13 win over No. 2 Brooks County (3-2) in front of their home fans in Ocilla. Brooks had tied the score early in the third quarter when the Trojans recovered a fumble in Irwin territory and converted the turnover into points when Jamal Sanders caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Cody Soliday. After such a closely contended game, both teams maintained their positions in the top 10.
Schley blasts Greenville in battle of unbeatens
After a COVID-marred season, No. 5 Public Schley County has gotten its resurgence back on track. The Wildcats improved to 5-0 after throttling previously undefeated Greenville (3-1), 57-26. Underclassmen led the way as sophomore QB Jay Kanazawa completed 14-of-23 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, two to Jalewis Solomon, who had five catches for 155 yards, and one to freshman RB Zayden Walker, who had two catches for 40 yards and 11 carries for 118 yards and two more scores. Schley finished below .500 and missed the state playoffs after three consecutive post season appearances. Prior to that, the Wildcats hadn’t made the playoffs since 2008.
Charlton edges Clinch to remain undefeated
Charlton County improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2014 and evened the all-time series with rival Clinch County (1-3) at 30-30-1 after a 35-34 overtime win. Charlton had built a 22-7 lead at halftime but the game went into overtime with the teams tied at 28-28 after Clinch’s Amazi Williams scored on a 34-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The touchdown came one play after Keegan Clayton’s interception for the Panthers. Clinch struck first in overtime on a 3-yard run by Williams but missed the extra point. Charlton tied the game on its possession on an 8-yard run by Jaylen Lilly and won it after Wyatt Crews nailed the extra point. The win vaulted Charlton from No. 10 to No. 6 in the top 10 poll, while Clinch dropped from No. 6 to No. 9.
Whitefield, Trion no longer unbeaten
Whitefield (4-1) fell from the ranks of the undefeated and out of the top 10, and Trion (4-1) had its bid to go 5-0 for the first time since 1997 halted as both teams fell on Friday. Whitefield led 28-21 late, but Brookstone (3-1) executed a hook-and-lateral play between juniors Joel Jones and Jack Schondelmeyer, to cut the lead to 28-27. The Cougars then went for two and were successful to claim the win. The loss dropped the Wolfpack, previously ranked No. 7, out of the top 10. Trion (4-1) went up 7-0 on Bowdon (4-1), but the Red Devils countered with 28 consecutive points and went on to claim a 35-13 win. Bowdon junior QB Robert McNeal completed 9-of-16 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns, all to senior WR Gage Stephens, his only receptions of the game. McNeal also ran for 61 yards and a touchdown, while freshman RB Luke Windom ran 19 times for 126 yards and a touchdown. The win helped Bowdon maintain its No. 7 ranking.
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