Middle Georgia football scores: Gutsy call in overtime allows Tattnall to topple rival

High school football in Middle Georgia is nearing the end of the regular season and each game has added pressure with potential playoff spots and seeding on the line.

There were plenty of upsets, close calls and blowout wins to go around on Friday night including a gutsy call that helped Tattnall knock off its rival Stratford.

Here is a look at some of the best games, highlights and scores from around Middle Georgia in Week 10 of the season.

Best game

Tattnall 42, Stratford 41

This rivalry game between these two Macon private schools added a thrilling chapter in this year’s matchup.

Stratford jumped out to an early lead, going up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Tattnall answered by returning the ensuing kickoff for a score. The extra point failed to make it a 7-6 game. Missed extra points would become a theme in this game with each team missing at least one.

Stratford running back Keondre Glover showcased his big-play ability all night and helped put the Eagles up 14-6 midway through the first quarter with a short touchdown run that was set up by a run of more than 40 yards on the previous play by Glover.

Tattnall’s Yasir Saleem answered with a touchdown run of his own. The Trojans managed to convert on the two-point conversion. Glover would once again answer the score quickly with one of his own.

With 26 seconds left in the first half, Tattnall’s Demario Wilmore found the end zone for the first time. Wilmore’s score looked as though it would send this game into the half tied at 21.

But Stratford’s Nate Slappey broke a 58-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles up 27-21 after the extra point was missed.

In the second half, Stratford got off to a hot start behind Glover, who scored his third touchdown on the night to make it 34-21.

Tattnall cut the lead down to a single score with 22 seconds left in the third quarter. The two defenses stepped up in the fourth quarter as neither offense sustained a drive for much of the final frame.

With less than a minute to play, the Trojans found the end zone to tie the score at 34-34. Stratford got a hand on the ball to block the extra point.

In overtime, the Eagles got possession of the ball first at the 15-yard line. Glover scored his fourth touchdown of the night to put the Eagles up 41-34 on the first play of overtime.

Tattnall wasted no time as Demario Wilmore rushed for a 15-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive.

The Trojans played for the win and went for two. With the game on the line, Tattnall converted on the two-point play to walk off with a 42-41 win.

Three stars

John Garrett Abernathy, Tattnall head coach: After losing to FPD two weeks ago, the Trojans came into Friday night’s game against Stratford needing a win to keep any hope of a region title alive.

For most of the night, it looked as though his team would fall to 0-2 in the region, but his team showed fight in the second half to erase a two-score deficit.

With the game on the line over time, Abernathy elected to go for the win. It turned out to be the right call as the Trojans capped off the game with a walk-off two-point conversion.

Keondre Glover, Stratford running back: He found the end zone four times against the Tattnall defense and made big play after big play to keep the Eagles up for most of the night. He turned in one of the best individual performances this season, but his team came up just short in overtime.

The Eagles will need Glover to put together another performance like this against rival FPD as they look to regroup after this loss.

If Glover can lead Stratford to a win over FPD, there would be a three-way tie at the top of the region.

Northeast: A week ago, the Raiders lost on a last-minute touchdown to Bleckley County. Northeast needed a win this week against Dodge County to keep itself in line for a No. 2 seed.

The Raiders once again showed their ability to bounce back after a tough loss as quarterback Travion Solomon iced this game with a touchdown pass with under four minutes to play. This win could go a long way in securing a home playoff game for the Raiders.

Scoreboard

• Warner Robins 70, Wayne County 14
• Northeast 21, Dodge County 7
• Bleckley County 28, Washington County 23
• Valdosta 48, Houston County 6
• Jones County 41, Eagle’s Landing 20
• FPD 42, Deerfield-Windsor 7
• Perry 45, Westside 0
• Mount de Sales 33, Strong Rock 7
• Coffee 33, Veterans 13
• Baldwin 27, Spalding 13
• Peach County 32, Jackson 28
• Mary Persons 32, Upson Lee 24
• Howard 13, Rutland 0
• Lee County 41, Northside 7

What’s next?

Northside vs. Houston County

Northside lost in a blowout to Lee County and Houston County suffered a similar fate to Valdosta. In this four-team region, a win in this game will go along for both teams in terms of playoff seeding.

If Northside is able to come away with the victory it would likely clinch the No. 2 seed and get a home game in the playoffs.

For Houston County, a win would likely force a three-way tie for the second spot in this region with Valdosta with each team owning one win over a region opponent.

Look for this to be a close game in the fourth quarter.

This story was originally published October 22, 2021 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Middle Georgia football scores: Gutsy call in overtime allows Tattnall to topple rival."