MIDSTATE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: Wheeler, Bleckley, Brentwood put away challengers to advance

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Wheeler Co. 55, Manchester 20

Deciding factor: The Bulldogs had some fireworks of both the literal and figurative type as they exploded, in predictable fashion, for over 300 rushing yards to streak into the second round. The actual kind they shot between their eight touchdowns and postgame to celebrate a first playoff victory since the late 1990s. Alvin Ricks ran for 120 and a couple of touchdowns on 11 carries. Justin Culver scored three times on 12 for 75. Reco Wooten was 3-of-5 passing for 42 yards, and added a 21-yard touchdown to Jacorion Woodard.

Pivotal moment: The teams traded a touchdown each in quarter 1, but the Bulldogs would dominate the scoring by a count of 42-7 between the second and third, that lone set of points coming as Manchester took the lead with its second early in the second period. Wheeler County quickly tied the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion to get back on track. Then went back up with scores on a rush, and Reco Wooten pass, in the last few minutes before the half. A fourth unanswered touchdown, of several more to come, ended its quick drive out of halftime to stretch the lead to 34-14.

Game ball: While both of the above provided all their usual star power on consistent carries, Wheeler County’s most explosive ball-carrier was likely Malik Madison, who had nothing but big plays on three carries for 87 yards, two of them touchdowns.

Next: The Bulldogs will host Warren County in search of their first-ever berth in the state quarterfinals Friday.

A PACK OF HUNGRY DAWGS: Wheeler County defenders Lane Connell (45), Sencear Marks (1), Jaden Bridges and Laith Davis (33) stack up a Manchester runner on a tackle during Friday’s first-round win/LOGAN REYNOLDS, GTLN

Brentwood 42, Briarwood 14

Deciding factor: The Eagles wore Briarwood down on the ground, out-rushing the Bucs 323 yards to 67, as they slowly chiseled open a competitive game to clinch a state championship berth for the second-straight season. The teams’ passing numbers were comparable, but a heavy Brentwood rush led by Austin and Wyatt Albright took a definite toll on Briarwood’s Cutler Fleming, who completed a strong 16 of his 26 for 136 yards and rushed for 54, but was pressured into too many off-balance throws or sacks by the end of the night. He found Banks DeMore 12 times for 95 yards, and twice for touchdowns. The sophomore came down with the first one on a fourth-down shot into double coverage, and scored to tie the game at 7 midway through a possession-dominated first half. But the Bucs would be kept out of the end zone until the last of Brentwood’s points were on the board in the fourth quarter. Baylor Cobb was a stellar 6-of-11 for 130 yards passing, and ran for another 89 on six carries, accounting for two touchdowns in each phase. Jones Sheppard (seven carries for 92) and Tristan Robinson (13 for 75) led the Eagles on the ground.

Pivotal moment: Brentwood pulled away after leading only 21-7 at the half. The Eagles forced a punt on Briarwood’s opening possession of the third quarter, and marched 85 yards for a score – as Cobb ran a gauntlet of arm tackles on a 10-yard keeper – to effectively bust it open. But two more unanswered rushing touchdowns, courtesy of Robinson and Sheppard, served as the clinchers.

Game ball: Williams paced the Eagles in all-purpose yardage with 187, rushing for 62 and scoring a pair of touchdowns on his six receptions for 125. The senior also recorded two total tackles.

Next: Brentwood will face Southwest Georgia at 3 p.m. Saturday in a rematch of the 2024 state title game at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium

Bleckley Co. 26, Jeff Davis 7

Deciding factor: Jason Balthrope and Tug Pasby, with eight total tackles each, and Josh Stanley and Isaiah Simeton, contributing seven apiece, led a dominant defensive performance that left no doubt in the Royals’ sixth-consecutive first round win. Jeff Davis was held to only 150 total yards – just shy of 40 on the ground – with 76 coming on their lone big play: a Mark Durden completion to Jai-den West for the Jackets’ only touchdown in the second quarter. Jeff Davis put up just as good a fight in the defensive struggle, but got too far down too early as Bleckley’s Zyion Love, Kix Foskey and Isaiah Simeton all punched in rushing touchdowns to redeem lengthy drives in the first half. Brody Fleming was 13-of-23 passing for 156 yards, and rushed for a fourth touchdown to cash in a Simeton fumble recovery in the third. Tate and Gage Harris had four receptions for around 50 yards each.

Pivotal moment: Bleckley forced the Jackets to run it for mostly small chunks of change, which took them nowhere on two first-quarter drives resulting in punts. Bleckley drove 81 yards to open the scoring on its first chance. A potential momentum-swinger went for naught as the Jackets’ Durden picked off a Fleming pass three yards from a second Bleckley TD on the next. But they had to kick it away once more, and the Royals drove right back to go ahead 12-0. Durden’s big-hitter narrowed the lead to 12-7 without much time to go in the half. But BC again answered to go up 19-7 at the half. Jeff Davis came up with a desperately needed stop at its own 25 coming out of the half, but turned it right back over as Josh Stanley forced the fumble that led to another Royal TD. A Balthrope sack set back the next series en route to a turnover on downs, and the Royals atoned for a fumble of their own with a K’marion McClinton sack leading to another fourth-down stop moments later.

Game ball: Love, in his first game back since an injury in August, rushed for 172 yards and a score on 16 carries.

Next: The Royals will visit No. 3 seed and unbeaten Worth County in the second round.

Mt. Zion 20, Treutlen 7

Deciding factor: Ebbs and flows of field position tipped the scales for the Eagles in an offensive dead heat that had an even number – roughly 205 yards – on either side of the ledger. Treutlen spent a similar amount of the first half in plus territory, but was stopped on two drives near scoring range during the opening quarter, and had time run out on a promising drive that got to the same point just before the half. Mt. Zion cashed short fields for touchdowns late in the first and early in the second for scores to build up its 14-0 lead at the break, then put together a statement drive of about 70 yards coming back out to stretch it to three scores, and put the game out of the Vikings’ reach. Quarterback Knox Israel, who accounted for 147 total yards on five completions and 12 carries, had the majority of double-digit gainers sprinkled among mostly small plays going both directions, and all three of Mt. Zion’s touchdowns. Treutlen’s only score came late in the third after the Eagles gave over possession in Viking territory. The 65-yard resulting drive concluded with a single-yard carry by Peanut Tobler. Kavion Peeples was 4-of-10 passing for 54 yards and added 24 yards rushing.

Pivotal moment: Treutlen got stuffed on a fourth down dive at the Mt. Zion 17, then punted with bigger yardage to go in a similar spot on the back-to-back missed opportunities that loomed large from the first quarter. The situational pendulum swung swiftly back the other way after Mt. Zion’s Israel hit Jordan Smith on a big completion from about midfield to the Viking 2 that set up the game’s first touchdown. Treutlen’s return man, on the ensuing kick, got caught at his 12 to paint the visitors into a corner on a series that went backwards, and ended at the start of quarter 2 with a punt well short of midfield. Caleb Houston’s return to the 29 put the Eagles back in business, and Israel hit a crease from 19 yards to double up their lead.

Game ball: Tobler rushed 13 times for 86 of the Vikings’ 152 yards on the ground.

Rabun Co. 56, Dodge Co. 21

Deciding factor: Mistakes and missed opportunities piled up on the Indians in a game they had their shots in. Sequences including all of the above – three turnovers being no small detail – were behind the multi-score swings that turned a deadlock into a 28-14 Rabun County lead at the half, then anybody’s game into a mild beatdown for the Wildcats over the rest of their extended 42-0 run, coming in a matter of just a few minutes between the late third and early fourth quarters. Dodge defensive busts played into several of the big-play explosions involving Rabun’s Ty Truelove, who was 8-of-13 passing for 183 yards, and receiver Reed Lafevers, who caught both his touchdowns on three receptions for 120. Lake Evans, carrying 17 times for 65, and Reid Giles combined for five rushing scores, at least a couple on impressive second efforts after broken tackles. The Indians, with 342 total yards and 198 passing on a 16-of-32, two-touchdown night for Kain Mincey, were well-equipped to hold their own in the mini-shootouts that unfolded between defensive stands, but couldn’t hit enough of the same after a handful came on two early scoring drives, both culminating with touchdown catches by Jauriel Bray, who made four grabs for 79 before going down with a first-half injury.

Pivotal moment: Things turned significantly as Dodge tried to punt the ball away from its own territory early in the second quarter of the 14-each game. JaKaden Fruster blocked and returned the kick for a Wildcat touchdown. The Indians fumbled early in their next series, and Rabun County cashed it in on a Giles touchdown for a two-score lead at the half. Reciprocal punts led to the Wildcats’ second breakthrough late in the third, after a third Dodge County kick from its own end zone that set up a short field for another Giles TD that stretched the lead to 21 to all but seal it.

Game ball: Jamal Smith carried 10 times for 86 of Dodge County’s 144 yards on the ground, and the last of its touchdowns with the game well out of reach in the fourth. He added three receptions to get his all-purpose total to a team-leading 110.

Best of the rest…

Jenkins Co. 38, Wilkinson Co. 27: The War Eagles scored twice in the last of the second quarter to break a tie of 14s, and take a 29-14 lead to halftime. Wilco was playing catch-up the rest of the way, and cut the Jenkins County margin to seven, then four with second-half touchdowns before a last by the visitors deep in the fourth to put the game away.

Houston Co. 59, Creekview 14: Friday’s brawl of Bears was pretty one-sided, as Houston County’s pack mauled the Grizzlies to take their streak of first-round wins since 2021 to four. Ryan Maxwell threw 15 completions for 257 yards and three touchdowns two of them to M.J. Mathis, who had five receptions for 135. Colin Anderson rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Scoring additional rushing touchdowns were Javien Durham, Austin Stinson and Westen Ard, who also had a sack and fumble recovery on defense. HoCo will visit Rome in round 2.

Warner Robins 28, Eastside 14: Dontay Stubbs carried for 122 yards on 23 attempts, but Jaden Hill capped off three drives with touchdowns to push the Demons past their first-round challenger. A handful of key stops, along with turnovers in the form of a fumble and interceptions by Carmello Canion and Darius Shine Jr. along the way, helped Robins hang onto no less than a touchdown of its early lead. Lakevious Bryant was 13-of-23 passing for 194 yards and a score. The Demons go to Cartersville in the second round.

North Oconee 31, Perry 15: The Panthers’ season ended at the hands of the defending state champions, who had it in hand most of the way after jumping out to a 21-0 lead. Perry collected some points just before the break after a short punt yielded great field position. But North Oconee blocked a punt and hit a field goal before Harrison Faulkner threw his second touchdown pass of the game to put 10 more on the board in the time between that and the Panthers’ only other score in the last minute of the game. The Titans, set to take on M.L. King in round 2, have now won 26 games in a row.

Peach Co. 53, Cherokee Bluff 28: Ashton Barton is likely the area’s only running back with a top gear to rival that of West Laurens’ Ty Cummings, and showed it off on several breakaway touchdown runs that helped the Trojans score all of their points before halftime. His 12 carries for 253 yards went along with four touchdowns on 154 passing by a 10-for-12 Samuel Sands. Cameron Cherry, Brisco Freeman and Josh Reis combined for the touchdown receptions. Bluff’s Cooper Dean threw 12 completions for 258 for two touchdowns and Malcolm Millsap had five grabs for 176, but that production was mostly against Peach reserves after the Bears were limited to just a pair of field goals in the opening half. The Trojans are a step closer to a potential head-to-head duel between the electric backs in the quarterfinals, though they’ll have to go through unbeaten No. 5 seed Jenkins in a highly billed second-round clash to get there.

Stratford 33, George Walton 6: Maddox Whitehad had three sacks, while Jett Johnston, Travis Dugger and Josh Butts intercepted passes to anchor a dominant performance by the Eagles’ defense, which held George Walton to a modest 109 passing yards on four completions for quarterback A.J. Dillard (and a lone touchdown to Samuel Elvington in the third), and just 99 rushing. Stratford scored on its first three possessions, and rolled the rest of the way to an easy victory to reach the GIAA championship game for the first time since 2022. Tucker Johnston threw eight completions for 104 yards, and rushed for 28 and a touchdown. Aaron Jefferson had two scores on 15 carries for 69, and Ja’Lon Smith another on four for 36. Jett Johnston led Stratford receivers with four catches for 65 yards. They’ll play for a first championship since 2004 Saturday in a rematch of a 41-14 regular-season win over Brookstone at Mercer.

For a full read from the game, see Michael A. Lough’s recap for the Macon Melody.

REVERSE THRUST: Stratford’s Jett Johnston tries to juke out George Walton players on the return of an interception in the first half of the Eagles’ 33-6 win to glide into the state title game/DONN RODENROTH, for the Macon Melody

Brookstone 13, FPD 0: The Vikings’ late-season magic ran out against a Brookstone defense that forced two turnovers, on interceptions by Colton Jordan and Frankie Bickerstaff, and limited FPD’s banged-up offense to just 165 total yards on 10 Cash walker completions and 31 carries between a trio of rushers. Jordan had 10 tackles and two for loss. Broughton Branch touchdown passes to Jason Kelly and Sammie Laboy helped the Cougars scrape out the defensive struggle’s only points on a mere 230 total.

John Milledge 35, Frederica 7: Bryce McDonel caught a touchdown pass and returned a pick for six to lead the Trojans’ rout to clinch a seventh state finals berth in eight years. Lewis Cheney threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns – targeting Bryce McDonel and Asa Wall (six receptions for 106) – and scored on a keeper. Wall had a rushing touchdown on one of nine carries for 96, though Javaris Hurt led JMA in carries with 16 for 90. Malek Dorsey added two interceptions. The Trojans will battle Deerfield-Windsor in Friday’s portion of state championship weekend.

Fitzgerald 42, ACE Charter 9: The Gryphons jumped out to a 9-0 lead on a Bryson Vincent rushing touchdown, followed by a Henry Carter field goal, but were overrun once Fitzgerald hit its stride. The Purple Hurricane stormed to 244 yards on the ground, 97 and three touchdowns the responsibility of Latavius Devine, to book a spot in the round of 16, and a date with Dublin in the Shamrock Bowl. Vic Copeland stayed scoreless rushing on seven for 82, but did catch an 80-yard pass from Matthew Cowan for a TD to start the surge early in the second quarter. Daniel Harris rushed for another to put Fitzgerald in the lead going to half. Howard Jackson, who joined Eduan Carter and Zavion Nolton with interceptions, returned his pick for one of its four unanswered touchdowns in the second half. ACE’s Ace Hatcher was 16-of-30 for 139 yards.

Northeast 41, Fannin Co. 0: The Raiders held Fannin County to just 109 total yards, picking off passes via Jaiden Center, Kourtnei Williams and Maurice Wilson for three of their four takeaways, in an authoritative shutout. Bam Glover – back at quarterback in place of an injured Jordan Wiggins – threw six completions for 131 yards and two touchdowns to Tavares Tinsley, and rushed for another on 53. Williams rushed for 100 and a touchdown on seven carries and caught two passes for 54. Northeast collides with playoff rival Swainsboro in the second round.

Here’s the full game story from Macon Melody sports editor Micah Johnston.

HIGH-FIVE: Northeast running back Kortnei Williams (7) is congratulated by teammate Jarvaris Morgan (18) after a punt return touchdown during the Raiders’ win over Fannin County/JASON VORHEES, Macon Melody

Hawkinsville 24, Trion 21: The difference-making points for the Red Devils, in the final tally, came back in the first quarter as they added a 25-yard Felipe Taylor field goal to one of reciprocal touchdowns. That kept them in front despite a Trion answer to each of their subsequent scores, to cut a 10-point lead back to three. But the Bulldogs’ last was with too little time left, and Hawkinsville covered an onside kick before running out the clock. Nieem Blair rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Martin McDonald and Sebastian Clark also had a little more than 50 and a touchdown each. Blair and Amos Manning came down with interceptions. The Red Devils go on the road to face title-contending Lincoln County in the second round.

Toombs Co. 50, Temple 6: Joseph Owens was 6-of-8 passing for 131 yards and a touchdown to Gavin Fletcher. But the rest of a monster night for the Bulldogs came on the ground, where Justin Powell racked up 196 yards and scored each of the four times he touched the ball. Alex Scott and Dontavius Mincey added rushing TDs. Hayden Roy posted nine tackles, three for loss and a kick block. Nick Carroll had an interception and a fumble recovery. Toombs will welcome Thomasville to Booster stadium Friday.

Deerfield-Windsor 26, Westfield 14: The Knights will be going for back-to-back state championships after putting away Westfield, and their final lead, on a scoreless but seven-minute-long drive following Grier Morey’s interception of a double pass deep in the semifinal contest. Lane Sceals was 23-of-29 passing for 278 yards and a touchdown to David Hutchins, who caught nine balls for 162, and joined Turner Simmons with early rushing touchdowns that led to a third by Cross Mitchell to get Deerfield’s late lead up to 12 early in the fourth quarter. Westfield’s Brock Johnson was 11-of-20 for 142 yards passing, and rushed for both the Hornets’ touchdowns on seven carries for 73. His last from 11 yards late in the third made it a six-point game.

Click here to read Joe Whitfield’s write-up from the game for the Albany Herald.

Morgan Co. 29, Westside, Macon 8: The celebrated career of Seminoles head coach Spoon Risper came to an end in Madison as fourth seed Morgan County cracked open a tight game with three touchdowns to build on a 7-0 halftime lead in the third quarter. Christian Monfort carried 11 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, joining Alex Corrias, with 92 on 12, to account for the bulk of the Bulldogs’ 210 rushing. Davis Strickland threw for 182 and an additional score to Cole Wesley. Ty Tillery had four receptions for 78. Westside finished with comparable total yardage, but couldn’t cash in on any opportunities until one from quite a distance as Jayden WIlliams took a short pass from Paul Risper 91 yards for a lone touchdown with three minutes left in the game. Risper was 8-of-16 for 142, and rushed for a team-high 117 on 13 carries. Williams had five catches for 117.

ECI 63, GMC 7: Tyler Foreman rushed for four touchdowns on eight carries for 117 yards to lead the Twin City Bulldogs into the second round, and a daunting matchup at Clinch County. ECI, as a team, gained 278 on the ground. Jackson Kennedy completed five passes for 54 yards and touchdowns to Chase Johnson and A.B. Marsh. GMC had only 110 total yards, with Matthew Webster firing to J.D. Allen on a short pass for its only touchdown in the fourth quarter.