ATHENS -- Winder-Barrow pulled off its biggest first Friday night in what has become a season of firsts for the long-time program.<br />
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The Buldoggs used a 21-point fourth quarter to rally for a 35-29 victory against Clarke Central in a key Region 8-AAAAA game.<br />
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It was the first-ever win for Winder (5-3, 5-2 Region 8-AAAAA) over the Gladiators (3-5, 3-4) and it also kept the Bulldoggs alive in the playoff race.<br />
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"We're just trying to establish a new culture here," first-year Winder coach Heath Webb said. "I'm just so proud of the guys for playing 48 minutes and not giving up. This is big for the program and the community."<br />
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The Bulldoggs also took their first-ever win over Flowery Branch earlier in the season.<br />
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Winder-Barrow trailed 16-7 and 23-14 heading into the fourth quarter. But Jerry Scott got things going in the fourth quarter intercepting a Clarke-Central pass and returning it to the Gladiators 6-yard line.<br />
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Cece Green would cap the short drive with a 2-yard touchdown run and Noah Chapman connected with Bradyn Randall on a 23-yard pass to the Gladiators 1 on 4th-and-12. Green scored from 1-yard out on the next play for a 28-23 lead.<br />
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But the key play came with 1:02 left in the game. Clarke Central drove to the Winder 1 but the Bulldoggs defense forced a fumble and Drezdin Williams scooped the ball up in the end zone and raced 99-yards, setting up Green for his third touchdown run of the quarter for a 35-23 lead.<br />
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Clarke Central, however, scored with 40 seconds after three quick pass plays to cut the lead to 35-29 but Winder-Barrow recovered the on-side kick and ran out the clock to preserve the win.<br />
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Green finished with 152 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries Chapman was 13-of-21 for 110 yards and one touchdown. Cale Horne had one TD reception for the Bulldoggs.
