Leading 14-0 late in the first half, LaGrange appeared on the way to its 27th straight victory and one step closer to another title. But right before the half, the Gamecocks pulled off the first of two touchdowns. The second stroke of luck came early in the fourth quarter on a questionable call by the officials.
Minutes into the final quarter, Screven County punted, and Adrian Griffin signaled - or at least he thought he did - for a fair catch deep in his own territory. After fielding the kick, he tossed the ball to an official near the sideline, who let it fall to the ground. Many of Screven County's players, thinking the play was dead, walked toward the sideline, but one went after the loose ball. Others then followed. And after the ball was batted around a few times, it was recovered in the end zone by Brian Roberts. Officials hesitated for a moment before raising their arms.
Screven County's final points came the conventional way on a 23-yard field goal by Tony Evans with 3:39 left in the game after a nine-play, 78-yard drive.
Screven County (13-0) now advances to the Georgia Dome to play Gainesville (13-0) in the semifinals.
CLASS AAAAA
Two-time defending state champion Parkview trailed early and had to hold off Northside-Warner Robins late, but the top-ranked Panthers (13-0) showed its heart while Northside (10-3) showed its talent and grittiness.
The team that fought Parkview tooth-and-nail in last year's state title game, losing 12-7, did the same Friday by using a couple of big pass plays and a long kickoff to give the Parkview another fight. The game wasn't decided until Joey Sturdivant recovered an onside kick in the games final 39 seconds as the Panthers won their 43rd consecutive game, setting up a rematch with East Coweta next Friday in the semifinals at the Georgia Dome.
Sturdivant also had a pair of interceptions to lead a defensive effort that kept Northside in check most of the night. But an 86-yard kickoff return by George Washington and a last-gasp drive in the final 1:31 helped the Eagles cut Parkview's 21-6 lead to just two points with 39 seconds to play.
``We beat a very good football team,'' Parkview coach Cecil Flowe said. ``It was a good win. Any win is a good win at this point.''
For Brookwood, it came down to one play.
Junior Chris Covington raced down Westside-Macon quarterback Jerrod Lowe and forced him out of bounds on fourth-and-goal with under two minutes left to secure Brookwoods 28-20 win over Westside in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
The Broncos (12-1) now will play Camden County (13-0) in the Georgia Dome on Saturday for a right to play in the state championship game.
``I don't know if its ever gotten more tense than that,'' Covington said of his game-saving play. ``But in that situation you can't get tense, you have to do your job.
Lowe, who alternated at quarterback with Antwan Brantley, took the snap at the Brookwood 6-yard line and rolled to his right. The speedy junior ran toward the sideline trying to turn the corner, but Covington and the Brookwood pursuit wouldn't let him and the Broncos took over on downs. Three straight Covington runs ran out the clock and sent the Broncos and their crowd into a frenzy.
CLASS AAAA ROUNDUP:
After a scoreless tie at the end of regulation, top-ranked Thomson scored three touchdowns in overtime to beat No. 6 Rome 20-7.
``You hate it because we feel like we put ourselves in a position to win, but we just didn't make it happen,'' said Rome coach David Humphreys. ``That hurts a lot.''
Thomson used a trick play, a long touchdown pass, and a big run in overtime to get the win and advance to the state semifinals next week at the Georgia Dome. But what some had predicted to be a lopsided win by Thomson was nothing short of a dogfight to the end.
CLASS AA ROUNDUP:
Top-ranked Americus showed why it's the two-time defending state champion, throwing a high-powered offense and stout defense at Union Grove.
The Panthers stole the Wolverines' invitation to play in the Georgia Dome next week with a dominating 57-9 victory Friday night.
They will play Buford next week for a spot in the state title game.
``It's not hard to understand why they have won two state titles. It looks like they could be on their way to a third,'' said Union Grove head coach Scott Mason.
Americus put the game out of reach with seven first-half touchdowns to lead 51-0 before the break. Senior running back Michael Terry rushed for five touchdowns in the first half and picked up 112 of his 135 yards in the first two quarters.
CLASS A ROUNDUP:
Clinch (13-0) earned a return trip to the semifinals with a 28-14 victory over Lincoln County Friday night at Panther Stadium.
The Red Devils led at halftime, 6-0, after holding back Clinch's potent offense. But in the end, Clinch refused to be denied.
As usual, it was big plays from quarterback Joe Louis Mingo and tailback Lorenzo Kelsaw that carried the offense, this time to 28 second-half points. Clinch scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, and two more in the fourth to come from behind.
Commerce was beaten 30-22 by Dooly County to end the Tigers season.
Here are the semifinal round matchups:
CLASS AAAAA
Parkview (13-0) vs. East Coweta (8-5), Friday, 9 p.m.
Camden County (13-0) vs. Brookwood (12-1), Saturday, 9 p.m.
Class AAAA
Thomas County Central (13-0) vs. Marist (12-1), Friday, 6 p.m.
Thomson (13-0) vs. Shaw (12-1), Saturday, 6 p.m.
Class AAA
Dublin (13-0) vs. Laney (12-1), Friday, 3 p.m.
Screven County (13-0) vs. Gainesville (13-0), Saturday, 3 p.m.
CLASS AA
Americus (13-0) vs. Buford (13-0), Friday, noon.
Greater Atlanta Christian (12-1) vs. Early County (12-1), Saturday, noon.
CLASS A
Clinch County (13-0) vs. Hawkinsville (12-1), Friday, 9 a.m.
Metter (12-1) vs. Dooly County (7-6), Saturday, 9 a.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186830