Game Balls: Run games set the tone in big region wins
The opening week of region play was a wild one across the state, but a few themes emerged that were consistent throughout: Defense, turnovers and the running game were all key ingredients to success.
In Class 6A, Region 1, it was the run game that fueled the most exciting victory of the week. Mill Creek’s Cade Koch scored four touchdowns, three of them on the ground, as the Hawks overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat Forsyth Central, 35-34.
“It was a tremendous high school football game,” Mill Creek coach Shannon Jarvis said. “We gave them every opportunity to stay in the game, and I’m proud of our guys for making enough plays to pull it out. I’m proud of Cade, and the fact he could play like that after getting knocked out of the first game (against Archer).”
The run game played a vital role for Brookwood as well in its victory over rival Collins Hill, with junior tailback TJ Dudley gaining 150 yards on 17 carries and scoring three touchdowns.
“That kid’s a special talent,” said Brookwood coach David Bell. “He ran the ball tough, broke a few tackles, and scored some big touchdowns for us. The offensive line did a great job of opening holes up for him.”
In 6A, Region 4, Northgate was another team that found success on the ground, rolling up 367 yards rushing in a 39-0 victory over Newnan. Junior quarterback Cade Robinson ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns and senior tailback Jamari Jones added 147 yards and two touchdowns.
“We’re trying to develop our run game more, and we were really able to do that tonight,” Northgate coach Steve Laney said. “I’m proud of how hard our guys played up front.”
Region 5 also featured a dominant rushing performance as Westlake rolled past Hiram, 42-21, behind the rushing attack of junior quarterback Jett Hollands, who gained 174 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.
In Class 5A, Region 2, the ground game again set the tone, with Coffee scoring six rushing touchdowns on the way to a 49-0 victory over Creekside. Junior running back Treyson Jackson had a night to remember, with 279 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, and he scored two touchdowns through the air on 51 and 41 yard receptions.
“Our defense set the tone for us, we didn’t give up any points, and we were able to control the line of scrimmage on offense,” Coffee coach Chase Lamb said. “And our running game really came to life, with Jackson making big play after big play.”
The trend of run-heavy offenses succeeding continued in 5A, Region 6, as Riverwood cruised to a 48-13 victory over Stephenson behind the power running of senior tailback Mark Reed. Reed carried 19 times for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
Another 5A team, Archer, utilized a balanced rushing attack in a 41-27 victory over Collins Hill. Archer’s 349-yard rushing performance was led by sophomore running back Jaylen Floyd, who finished with 133 yards and three touchdowns, and senior quarterback Noah Walker added 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
In Class 4A, Region 3, a dominant running game powered Monroe Area to a 44-0 win over Walnut Grove. The Golden Eagles amassed 377 yards on the ground with three different players – seniors Darius Henderson and Zarius Mitchell, and sophomore Bryson Edwards, scoring multiple touchdowns.
These are just a few examples of the dominance that rushing attacks displayed across Georgia high school football this past week. It’s a reminder that, in many cases, the simple things are still the most effective, especially in the trenches. If you can run the ball effectively, it sets the tone for your entire team and puts a lot of pressure on your opponent. So, remember to watch for these teams’ run games in future weeks.
In the meantime, enjoy these thrilling contests between high school athletes who continue to find success and drive excitement into the sport we love. Let’s celebrate the brilliance of the young competitors!
