About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2017)
Friday, November 17, 2017 Lake Oconee News Page C3 MORGAN COUNTY Bulldogs eliminated from playoffs By Justin Hubbard justin@lakeoconeenews.us T he Morgan County football team fell to East Hall last Friday, 50-36, ending the Bulldogs’ impressive season. Morgan (9-2) hosted the first- round competition. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-6 lead at the 2:24 mark of the first quarter. At that point, it was business as usual for Morgan. Senior quar terback Trey Patterson threw a touchdown pass to AnthonyCooper less than one minute into the game. Patterson leaped over the line of scrimmage at the 5:54 mark of the opening period to score a rush ing touchdown. Morgan’s third score was a pass from Patterson to Jacarius Robinson, who made a leaping, contested grab in the corner of the end zone. Between those last two scores, the Morgan defense allowed a long touchdown pass to East Hall quarterback Austin Parker. Still, it seemed the Bulldogs’ defenders could keep him contained enough to win. Unfortunately for them, the Vikings found a way to break through. Thanks to outstanding play by Parker, East Hall scored 32 unanswered points to erase the early deficit and take a lead it did not relinquish. Parker tossed six touchdowns and ran for another. He totaled nearly 500 passing yards. Morgan fell behind 38-21 early in the third quarter. On their first drive of the period, the Bulldogs used big plays by Jordan Huff and Taylor Knight to drive downfield and set up another touchdown throw from Patterson to Robinson to cut the lead to 10 points. The Bulldogs’ defense forced three or four stops in a row. With 6:32 left in the game, Patterson found Cooper for the 15th and final time of the year to trim the lead to 44-36. Morgan’s secondary’s rough night continued, as Parker tossed another long touchdown throw to give East Hall the decisive advantage with 2:18 to play. With the loss, Morgan’s streak of seasons without a playoff win con tinues. The Bulldogs have not won a postseason game since beating Gordon Central on Nov. 16, 2012. This is the second-straight year the Bulldogs won the Region 8-AAA title and fell at home in the opening round of the state playoffs. Justin Hubbard/Staff Morgan senior quarterback Trey Patterson leaps over his offensive line and East Hall's defensive linemen to score an early touchdown during last Friday's playoff game. Justin Hubbard/Staff While the Bulldogs and Vikings shake hands after the game, Morgan offensive coordinator Wade Woodall crouches and reflects. Justin Hubbard/Staff Morgan junior K.J. Wyatt kneels as the final seconds of the Morgan-East Hall game tick off the clock. Morgan senior wide receiver Anthony Cooper pauses in the end zone after the Bulldogs commit a turnover late in the game. Justin Hubbard/ Staff Hubbard Continued from Cl own destiny. The Bulldogs were fortunate to clinch the SEC East title the week before. I think that might have played a role in the loss to Auburn but, ifwe’rebeinghonest, that game was more about Auburn being the better team on that night. If the Bulldogs win out, they will be in the final top four of the College Football Playoff. How could they not be? That would mean Georgia went 12-1 and beat either Auburn or Alabama in the SEC championship game. No other team in the NCAA would have that good a resume. Kentucky and Georgia Tech are tough teams. They should not be overlooked. But the segment of the Georgia fan base thinking the wheels are going to fall off after one game-one! -needtotakeachillpill. Losses such as the defeat to Auburn can be the best thing to ever happen to a team. It very well could have taken off a good deal of pressure. After all, remaining undefeated and holding onto the No. 1 ranking is not easy. It was also probably a wake-up call for a team that, up until last week, did not have many apparent flaws. We all knew Georgia wasn’t perfect, of course, but it had been able to perform despite its imper fections. That wasn’t the case Saturday. I’ll say it for the millionth time -1 think Kirby Smart is the man who will take Georgia to the promised land. The reason I feel that way is because ofthehead-down approach he takes to coaching. He exhibited that Monday during his weekly press conference, saying at one point he realizes everyone wants to talk about the Auburn game but he wants to focus on Kentucky. This coaching staff has its head in the right place, as do the players, I believe. They’re 9-1 - they have earnedmorethanalittlebitoffaith from their fans. So, move onfrom the loss, Georgia fans. Brighter days could be headed our way in the very near future. WHENEVER IT MATTERS MOS NO MATTER THE WEATHER, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. ASK ABOUT THE MICHELIN® PREMIER 6 FAMILY OF TIRES VIA MASTERCARD REWARD CARD after submission*with purchase of any four new MICHELIN®passenger or light truck tires. 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