Chris Whitaker
The Americus Times-Recorder
BUTLER —
For three quarters, Schley County held Taylor County in check.
But it was the final period that did in the Wildcats.
Trailing 7-6 entering the final 12 minutes, the Vikings scored 28 in the quarter to pull out a 34-7 win.
“We had some missed opportunities,” said Schley coach Jim McFather. “We had some open plays we missed, and they had some they missed, too. They’ve got a good team. It wasn’t good.”
Schley lost two fumbles in the game that Taylor converted into two scores. After Cameron Diem’s 15-yard interception return — which was set up by Markendous Thornton hitting the Taylor receiver — for a touchdown gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead at the half, the Vikings scored with 50 seconds left in the third quarter to trail 7-6.
The first fumble came at the Taylor 40 on what the referee ruled a catch and fumble from Darius Pines. McFather said they hadn’t looked at film to determine the result. The second came at the Vikings’ 18.
Taylor took a 14-7 lead when Jakevin Howell capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown.
“We were up for a while in those three quarters,” said McFather. “We talked about a lack of depth and all, and we should have secured those balls. We’re getting folks ready. We’ve seen improvement, but they’re not ready for varsity, and that makes a big difference.
“Those were short yardage situations where we wind up and just didn’t move the ball offensively and turn it over. I thought defensively for about three quarters, we played pretty good ball — about the best we could play. But in short yardage, it was hard to hold them out.”
Schley not only lost the game, but possibly two starters with knee injuries. Both sophomore running back Jonathon Thompson — who had 189 yards rushing last week — and senior Darius Pines came off the field in the second half.
McFather is not sure when they will find out their status.
“They couldn’t go back in,” he said. “They had some swelling, and when you’ve got swelling, that’s bad. It’s like losing four (players) for us; they start on both sides. It hurts. We’ve got to have somebody step up. Here’s an opportunity. I hate it comes by injury, but somebody needs to step up and take advantage of it and make the most of it.”
Taylor was led by Jamarius Bailey, who had 92 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Bodarius Johnson had a touchdown pass, and Marquavis Lockhart had a rushing touchdown.
Chad Fullman and Jeremy Blue led the Wildcat defense with 10 tackles; Fullman had 2 1/2 sacks. Darius Pines had eight tackles, and Diem had six to go with two sacks and his interception.
Schley was held to 101 yards of offense, 28 on the ground. Josh Worth completed three passes for 73 yards and avoided several pressures by the Viking defense.
“We didn’t block very well,” said McFather. “It’s a little different if they run over you. At least you’re getting in the way. We didn’t do that.”
Schley is at home this week against Marion County.
