Statesboro's running game grinds up
Unlike the Greenbrier High School softball team, the football squad blew its chance at a title Friday night with a 42-0 loss to Statesboro.
Greenbrier's Tyler Dent charges past the Statesboro defense for a short gain on the last play of the first half. The Blue Devils scored four touchdowns in the first half of Friday's game.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Wolfpack (3-7, 3-4) needed the win to secure the final Region 2-AAAA playoff spot, but they were overwhelmed by a relentless Blue Devil running game.
Led by Charles Rock and Nick Wedlow, Statesboro's rushers combined for 242 yards on the ground, more than double Greenbrier's total offense.
"I think they showed tonight why they're the No. 1 team in the state," Greenbrier coach Mickey Derrick said.
Rock and Wedlow also accounted for four of Statesboro's six touchdowns at the Brierpatch.
The win gives Statesboro an undefeated record entering the playoffs, making it a favorite to win a state championship, Derrick said.
"I think they'll win (a state title)," he said. "I hope so."
Statesboro established the run game early with a 70-yard opening drive that led to a 1-yard touchdown run by junior halfback Rock.
Wedlow nearly followed with a touchdown run of his own a few minutes later, but fumbled on the 1-yard line and the Pack recovered in the end zone.
Greenbrier answered with a turnover of its own two plays later when quarterback Sean Gray threw an interception to Leroy Ethridge.
Wedlow then redeemed himself with an 11-yard run to the end zone on the next drive.
Rock scored again on a 6-yard run in the second quarter, followed by a 6-yard run from senior back Gavin McCullough.
Wedlow caught the only scoring pass in the game with a 45-yard strike from David Cone out of the bootleg in the third quarter.
Sophomore back Charles Joyce ended the scoring onslaught with a 5-yard run in the fourth.
After the game, Greenbrier senior star Eugene Rogers, who rushed seven times for 30 yards in the game, sat in the middle of the field with his head between his legs, displaying the frustration felt by all his teammates.
Derrick succinctly summed up the loss.
"They had too much speed for us," he said.
In other county games: Evans (6-4) lost 20-3 to visiting Wayne County, but will get a shot at redemption Friday in the first round of the playoffs against Creekside (9-1) in Fairburn.
Lakeside (2-7-1) lost its sixth consecutive game, falling 25-0 to Baldwin. The Panthers finished 0-7 in region play on the season.
Harlem (3-7) lost 14-0 to Hephzibah and Augusta Christian (6-4) finished the regular season with a 39-14 win over R. E. Lee. The Lions will play at Orangeburg Prep in the opening round of the playoffs Friday.