Emanuel County knocks off Wilcox County for Class A title

CORDELE -- Washaun Ealey ran for 272 yards and three touchdowns and Brooks Kirkland scored twice as Emanuel County Institute captured its first Georgia High School Association state championship in Class A with a 41-to-21 win over Wilcox County tonight.<br /> <br /> Ealey, who had 43 carries, finished with 58 touchdowns for the season for the Bulldogs (15-0).<br /> <br /> Emanuel County Institute scored on its first three possessions of the game. Ealey scored on a seven-yard run and Kirkland had a 16-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, then Ealey scored again from two-yards away in the second to give the Bulldogs a 20-to-nothing lead.<br /> <br /> The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 26-to-nothing when Dexter Moody blocked a punt then returned it for a 35-yard touchdown.<br /> <br /> ECI's was stout in the defending the run, holding the Patriots (13-2) to only 35 yards rushing.<br /> <br /> Lorenzo Dennard, who completed 11-of-20 passes, threw for 193 yards and two interceptions for Wilcox County.<br /> <br /> He did connect with his twin brother Alfonzo Dennard for a 71-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 34-14 in the third quarter.<br /> <br /> Kirkland finished with 56 yards on eight carries and had another touchdown in the second half for ECI.<br /> <br /> Antonio Marshall, who had five carries for 27 yards, scored on a one-yard run in the first half for Wilcox County.