Ware County rebounds after loss to Lowndes last week

Posted 10:12AM on Sunday 26th September 2004 ( 20 years ago )

Ware County rebounded from a hard-to-swallow 31-point loss to Lowndes last week in a big way, defeating Valdosta 28-14. The Gators (5-1) looked like a much different team than the one that had lost 44-13 seven days earlier to Lowndes. ``After last week with Lowndes, it was definitely a defining moment in our season,'' Ware County coach Dan Ragle said. ``If we'd come down here and laid another egg, we're in for a tough season.'' The game was tied 7-7 entering the fourth quarter, but Ware scored three touchdowns in the first seven minutes. Ware took its first lead of the game on Je'Mario Barkley's 14-yard run, who rushed for 84 yards. Valdosta (3-2) seemed poised to get the ball back in good field position, but then Ware freshman quarterback Victor Daniels hit Cedric Jones for a 68-yard gain, all the way to the Wildcat 19. Barkley then dashed 19 yards for the touchdown that pushed the lead to 21-7. Ware's Xavion Thomas added a 60-yard interception for a touchdown. Demetrius James led Valdosta with 84 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Jamal Scott had 59 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. NO. 3 BROOKWOOD KEEPS MCFERRIN AT 299: Rennie Currans returned a 97 yard interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help Brookwood beat South Gwinnett 27-21. The victory avenged a 15-14 loss in 2003, one that lifted the Comets (3-2, 1-1) to the Region 8-AAAAA title. With the game tied at 14, Curran stepped in front of Jackson Dean and made the catch racing 97 yards for a 14 point swing and a 21-14 Broncos (5-0, 2-0) lead. The play turned the tide and denied South Gwinnett coach T. McFerrin his 300th career win. ``Sometimes I get all into the games and don't catch the ball,'' Curran said. ``One game I didn't catch the ball and it came directly to me and hit me in the face. I was just focused this game.'' Keith Gridines ran for 73 yards on 15 carries and Matt Covingtons had 12 carries for 54 yards with a touchdown for Brookwood. Bradley Saylors went 7-for-13 for 101 yards and a touchdown pass.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/9/150939