HOMER – After a COVID-19 team quarantine canceled the first two weeks of the season, East Jackson’s return to play ended in a thrilling double-overtime victory, 23-22, over Banks County at Leopard Stadium on Friday.
Banks County missed the extra point in the second overtime to give the Eagles their first win of the season. With the loss, Banks County starts the season 0-3.
After a scoreless first half, Banks County crossed the goal once in the third quarter off a Roman Hanes 32-yard run to go up 7-0 after the Cade Simmons extra point. Trying to go for it on 4-and-goal from the Eagles’ 3-yard line, the Leopards turned the ball over on downs, and a play later forced a safety to tack on two more points, 9-0.
In the fourth quarter, Bowen Roberts hit Wyatt Whitfield for an 8-yard touchdown strike, pushing the Leopards lead to 16-0.
But East Jackson rallied back with a 59-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion to close the gap to eight points, and a 7-yard scoring run and two-point conversion with 1:24 left in regulation to tie the game.
East Jackson (0-1) will play host to Gilmer on Friday, while Banks County (1-2) travels to Lumpkin County.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/9/939613/eagles-rally-falls-short-banks-wins-in-ot