SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Despite a 26-0 loss to George Walton Academy, the Social Circle Redskins continue to show how much improved a team they are since their 2016 campaign.
In a classic case of a game being closer than the score indicated, it wasn’t until the game’s final quarter that George Walton began to truly take advantage of a tired Social Circle squad. But until that fourth quarter, coach Chad Estes’ bunch played George Walton as close as any team could.
Darius Barnum’s 46-yard touchdown run, a 23-yard field goal and a 70-yard touchdown pass from Lawson Steele to Jason Rockmore with just 26 seconds left in the game — all fourth quarter scores — is what helped George Walton to the win. But before that, the only offense it could muster was on defense.
Social Circle quarterback Jackson Will was sacked in the end zone for a safety at the 5:48 mark of the first quarter, giving George Walton a 2-0 lead. From there, the game was a defensive stalemate until George Walton’s Andre Payne scored from 10-yards out to make it 9-0 with 8:05 left in the third quarter.
The Redskins’ defense bent but didn’t break for much of the night, as much of George Walton’s 434 total yards of offense came in the last 15 minutes of regulation. However, Social Circle could only muster 94 yards of offense itself.
Still, this game, combined with last week’s 42-13 drubbing of Johnson-Gainesville, showed the marked improvement Social Circle (1-1) has made. George Walton defeated the Redskins 46-7 last year in a game where the Bulldogs scored early and often.
Social Circle will have another chance to take next steps Friday as it will play host to non-region foe, Monroe Area (1-0). The Hurricanes defeated Loganville, 24-14, in its opener Friday night.
Peachtree Academy nets first win of the season
SILOAM, Ga. — The Peachtree Academy Panthers visited the Nathanael Greene Academy Patriots Friday, and got their first win of the season, knocking off the Patriots 25-16.
Hunter Payne paced the Panthers with his 109 rushing yards on 20 carries and a rushing score. He also had one catch for five yards and registered six tackles. The running game worked well and often for Peachtree, as quarterback Patrick Cartledge added 49 yards on 12 carries and a score.
Zuriel Henry also got in on the scoring, and the Panther defense came up with numerous clutch plays to keep Nathaniel Greene at bay.
Perhaps Zach Pearson’s key fourth quarter sack was among the most timely. He finished with nine tackles, while Alex Hammer recorded four pass break-ups.
Peachtree Academy (1-1) will host Covenant Christian Academy (1-0) Friday at 7:30 p.m. Covenant Christian defeated New Creation 32-20 in its opener last Friday.
Other area scores
Rockdale fell to Chattahoochee, 22-15 Friday night. The Bulldogs will host Heritage-Conyers Friday Sept. 8 for homecoming.
