Peach County's Campbell reaches 100 wins in victory over Central
A touchdown late in the second quarter got Peach County rolling, and the Trojans cruised to a 48-0 win Friday over Central in a GHSA Region 4-3A win.
Peach County was outgained on the ground, but quarterback Antonio Gilbert had a solid night, passing for 213 yards and five touchdowns as the Trojans recorded their first shutout since thumping Josey 42-0 in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
The third-ranked Trojans improved to 5-1 overall with their fifth straight win and 2-0 in region play. Central dropped to 5-2 and 1-2.
Gilbert threw touchdown passes to a different receiver each time.
The Trojans put the game away with a field goal — Mitchell Fineran had two — and touchdowns on three straight possessions to go with an interception return for a touchdown by Shamarcus Redding.
Four who mattered
Gilbert: The Trojans’ quarterback was steady all night, leading Peach County in rushing and being mostly on target through the air.
Justin Harris: The freshman receiver continues to display plenty of potential, leading the Trojans with four catches, including a touchdown.
Fineran and Omar Cervantes: Fineran was perfect on all extra-point tries and two field goals, and Cervantes had mostly touchbacks on kickoffs despite a healthy wind.
Worth mentioning
Oct. 7 good for Campbells: Five years ago on Oct. 7, Lee Campbell earned his 100th win as a head coach, leading Crisp County to an 8-7 win over Americus-Sumter. Five years later to the day, his brother and boss Chad Campbell earned his 100th win, thanks to Friday night’s win. Little brother is 13 wins behind big brother.
Busy halftime: Three Peach County football players spent halftime on the field as part of the homecoming court. Kyle Nixon and Justin Harris were in full uniform, and Randolph Williams, the offensive lineman hurt in the preseason car accident that took teammate Raekwon Smith’s life, was in a wheelchair and full of smiles during the ceremony. Chad Campbell said Williams returned to town from the Shepherd Center a few days ago and continues to make progress, such as starting to be able to move his toes.
They said it
Campbell, holding the game ball, on his 100th win, on the same date as brother and assistant coach Lee did five years earlier: “It’s pretty special. … It’s special because it’s here. I love to be here, I love to coach here, and I love to work here every day with these kids. It’s been, it’s been, it’s been a dream come true.”
Campbell on that, with Lee nearby: “It’s fun every day, to be honest with you, not just (Friday night). It’s fun to see him every day and work with him every day.”
Central head coach Jesse Hicks on the Chargers’ performance: “Can’t stop playing football. We stopped playing football. At the end of the game, it’s 48-0. We didn’t play good football. We turned the football over, not playing hard. Just not good football. Just real bad football.”
Campbell on receiver Kendrick Johnson: “I’m glad to see him get back involved. He’s had a bulging disc; he ain’t really done anything this year. He’s trying to get back healthy a little bit. He’s a weapon for us. He’s got length. He was coming along good for us last year toward the end of the year.”
Hicks on taking a step back: “Any time you don’t play good football and you prepare to play good football … the good thing about it is you get to play again. We’ll see what our resilience is after this.”
Campbell on the performance: “The kids played very well, especially the second half. We were kinda clicking on everything. Thought the kids played really hard.”
What’s next?
Peach County plays Rutland on Friday at the Ed DeFore Sports Complex on while Central hosts Jackson.
This story was originally published October 7, 2016 at 11:06 PM with the headline "Peach County's Campbell reaches 100 wins in victory over Central."