TIFTON — Before a nice crowd, the Georgia Firebirds semi-pro football team won their NIFL season opener, 15-0, over the Savannah Warriors Saturday at Brodie Field.
Georgia dominated the game defensively, as the Warriors only managed 11 yards of total offense. The Firebirds sacked the Savannah quarterbacks six times for -34 yards in the contest.
Savannah’s best penetration came in the game’s opening drive.
The Warriors went 37 yards on nine plays before losing the ball on downs at the 25-yard line. The Firebirds got a huge sack of quarterback Nathan Williams by Eric Bolds to end the threat.
The Firebirds scored the game’s first touchdown after a blocked punt midway through the second quarter.
From the Warriors’ 11-yard line, the Firebirds went backwards on a couple of sacks of quarterback Byron Bess.
On a fourth-and-25 from the 26-yard line, Bess found Isaac Alford on an out-and-up play. Alford made a leaping catch at the 5, and broke two tackles to score the first touchdown in Tifton for Georgia.
Josh Thompson’s PAT was true and the Firebirds held a 7-0 lead with 7:58 left in the first half.
After halftime, the Firebirds would extend their lead with a safety with 9:05 left in the third quarter.
A nice coffin-corner punt by Tony Pratts that went out of bounds at the Warriors’ 4-yard line set up the two-pointer.
Williams was sacked in the endzone by a host of Firebirds after the snap was not handled properly. Georgia would then receive the ball and drive down to the Savannah 20-yard line, but Pratts’ 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
Savannah could not capitalize however, turning the ball over on downs four plays later.
From the Savannah 38-yard line, Lanarius McKinley would take the first play for a touchdown, but the score was wiped out on a Georgia penalty. The Firebirds would later turn the ball over on downs, as Bess’ pass on fourth down was incomplete.
Georgia would score on a 71-yard punt return by Michael Patterson with 11:42 remaining in the game. The extra point was no good, but Georgia led 15-0, and the defense would continue to dominate the Warriors’ offense.
Savannah had 27 rushes for -9 yards in the game, while the Firebirds had 110 yards rushing on 33 carries.
Three Warrior quarterbacks combined for 20 passing yards on 4-of-17 passes, with an interception. Patterson returned the interception 81 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back on a block in the back penalty.
The Firebirds also had another interception return for touchdown called back by a penalty.
Bess went 9-of-20 for 118 yards, and a touchdown for the Firebirds. Georgia amassed 228 total yards.
Demitris White had several big runs for Georgia, and finished with 86 yards on eight carries. White also had three receptions for 41 yards in the game.
McKinley added 45 yards rushing, and 20 yards receiving for Georgia.
Georgia (1-0) will travel to Brunswick to face the Glynn County Revolution (1-0) Saturday at 1 p.m.
Glynn’s game against the Georgia (Liberty County) Rattlers was postponed due to inclement weather.
Savannah (0-2) will host the Rattlers Saturday.
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