The Patriots, who lost 39-26

to Fayette County last season, entered this game ranked eighth in the

state in AAAA. They did nothing to suggest that ranking is undeserved.

The only scoring in the first

quarter came on a punt return when Sandy Creek's Will Judson started

near midfield and went all the way in for a score, although it seemed

twice as far since he took the ball on a reverse and went from sideline

to sideline. The Tigers got on the board early in the second quarter when

a fumble recovery led to a 34-yard field goal by Hart Pearson.

That's when the Patriots

broke the game open, scoring three more times before the half. Reggie

Ellington's a 20 yard-burst up the middle and Michael Jones'

extra point made it 14-3, then Brian Brown intercepted a Hunter Rozakos

pass and returned it to the FCHS 16. Shortly thereafter, Dusty Bennett

threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Calvin Johnson with 3:19 to go before intermission.

The Patriots would tack on another score in that time, as Bennett connected

with Judson on a 35-yard touchdown pass for a 27-3 lead.

Fayette County scored again

in the third quarter, with a sustained drive getting a boost from a pass

interference penalty for a first down at the Sandy Creek 15. Rozakos threw

a 9-yard scoring pass to Grant Jones for the Tigers' first touchdown

of the season, and Pearson tacked on the point after.

The Patriots' defense

came up big the rest of the way, forcing several turnovers. The final

score of the night was set up by a long Ishmael Gordon run, as Ellington

took it in from two yards out and Katie Wallace kicked the extra point.

Sandy Creek opens its home

schedule this week against Region 4-AAAA foe Alexander, while Fayette

County travels to Newnan for a 4-AAAAA matchup.

Whitewater: The Wildcats came

up big last Thursday with a 28-6 home win over the Starr's Mill ninth-grade

team. Jonathan Frierson ran for a score and Jay Bright threw touchdown

passes to Jonathan Bringuell, Justin Evans and Aaron Grech. Previous games

include a 35-0 jamboree win over Jonesboro and a 20-0 loss to Luella of

Henry County, also a new school. But Luella has enrollment through 11th

grade this year, and Whitewater's ninth-graders played the entire

game against sophomores and juniors. The Wildcats host Lovejoy tomorrow.

Our Lady of Mercy: There were

several bright spots in the Bobcats' 28-18 loss to Aquinas in Augusta.

Coach Alan Gordon said that his squad did a good job playing a tough road

game. Sophomore Wynton Yates returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score,

and Ralph Woolfolk threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Matt Gill. Sam Etuk

scored on a 36-yard run. On defense, Woolfolk intercepted a pass and Gill

had seven tackles. The Bobcats host Temple this week.

Landmark: On the road, the

War Eagles fell 28-3 to a fast Decatur team that scored on runs of 65

and 70 yards and a 31-yard pass play. Down 7-0 at the half, Landmark got

on the board when a sack near midfield resulted in a fumble that was returned

to the Decatur 5. Three plays later, the War Eagles got their only points

of the night on a 26-yard field goal. The team hosts Brookstone this week.

Starr's Mill: A 35-14

loss to Cherokee Friday night dropped the Panthers' record to 0-2,

although they have yet to play a region game. The Panthers' home

opener is this Friday against Spalding.

McIntosh: The Chiefs evened

their record at 1-1 after losing their home opener 42-14 to Upson-Lee.

This week the team faces a long road trip and a meeting with seventh-ranked

Lowndes.

Fayette Christian: It was a

long night for the Falcons Friday night, a 54-0 loss to King's Way

in Douglasville. Jared Abadie rushed seven times for 44 yards and was

the team's leading tackler with eight. Brandon Gable had seven tackels,

as did Terrance Dunston.

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