MACON, Ga. — From final regular season matchups to playoff performances, Week 13 of Football Friday Night had it all.
Some teams notched impressive victories, like Gatewood's defeat of Trinity Christian or Brentwood's win over Rock Springs, while other teams' seasons came to an end, including Tattnall, who lost to Bethlehem Christian.
Here is a recap of all the action from Football Friday Night.
Game of the Week: Telfair County vs Wilcox County
There was a ton on the line between Wilcox County and Telfair County.
Both teams were set to make the playoffs, but only one would be able to win the region.
Ultimately, Telfair County came out on top in a back-and-forth battle, defeating Wilcox County 30-28. With the win, the Trojans clinched a region title for the first time since 1993.
Telfair County got on the board first, but it took a full quarter to do so. Bradyn Cook took a handoff 88 yards to gift the Trojans an early 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
Wilcox County answered back with a 50-yard rushing touchdown of its own, and tied up the game 6-6 after a missed extra point.
The Trojans kept it on the ground, putting up six more points with a 4-yard rushing touchdown. However, the Patriots did what Telfair County couldn’t and punched the ball in and grabbed a two-point conversion to take a 14-12 lead.
Telfair County couldn’t score a single point in the third quarter, but the Trojans started rolling in the fourth quarter. They scored 18 points, but Wilcox County wouldn’t go away. Both teams matched each other, as when one team would score, the other one would too.
With less than three minutes in the game, the same man who scored the first touchdown score the last. Cook took the ball 30 yards to give Telfair County a 30-28 lead, a lead the Trojans never let up.
Although the Trojans never converted a single two-point conversion — they attempted one every touchdown — they still found a way to carve out a win and make history in the process.
Three stars
Senior Steve Robinson, Southwest quarterback - The senior quarterback had a strong game in a 20-7 win over East Laurens. In likely the last game of his high school career, he propelled his team with three touchdowns, being the driver behind each.
He found the endzone twice and had one passing touchdown to secure a win for the Patriots
Brock Johnson, Sophomore Westfield receiver - The underclassman came up big for the Hornets on Friday.
Johnson, with the game on the line, had the gaming-winning touchdown to take a firm lead and a following two-point conversion to keep the ball rolling.
Westfield survived a close encounter with Terrell, winning 15-6, but they’ll need Johnson to keep his game-sealing touchdown abilities around to advance further.
Jeff Ratliff, Gatewood head coach - In a massive come-from-behind victory for Gatewood, Ratliff accomplished a massive feat: 100 wins as a head coach.
Despite being down early, Gatewood stormed back and took down Trinity Christian to win 34-23. Now, the Gators advance in the playoffs with Ratliff looking for the 101st win of his career.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
- Crawford County 35 - Central-Talbotton 7
- Brentwood 49 - Rock Springs 14
- Westfield 15 - Terrell 6
- Southwest Georgia 44 - CFCA 7
- Glascock County 50 - Georgia Military 14
- Johnson County 21 - Twiggs County 0
- Jasper County 63 - Utopian Academy 0
- Fitzgerald 21 - Appling County 16
- Bulloch 37 - St. Anne-Pacelli 0
- Brookstone 33 - Stratford 28
- FPD 28 - Strong Rock 13
- Southwest 20 - East Laurens 7
- Telfair County 30 - Wilcox County 28
- Bethlehem Christian 21 - Tattnall Square 14
- Crisp County 13 - Tattnall 10
- Toombs County 44 - Swainsboro 8
- Wheeler County 49 - Treutlen 29
- Gatewood 34 - Trinity Christian 23
- Tiftarea 35 - John Milledge 21
- Montgomery County 36 - Dooly County 24
- Jefferson County 33 - Central 0
What’s next
One word: Playoffs.
It’s all or nothing now. One loss and you’re out. Keep winning and you’ll have the opportunity to make school history.
Plenty of Central Georgia team’s will begin their playoff journey’s, while a few others in GIAA will press onward with theirs.
Stay with us at 13WMAZ for full coverage of the playoffs as Football Friday Night continues on into the post season.