TIFTON —
The Tiftarea Academy Panthers travel to Albany tonight and will try to upset the Deerfield-Windsor Knights.
They will have their hands full as Deerfield has been one of the best teams in the state this year and are riding a seven-game winning streak.
In addition, the Knights, who are ranked No. 1 in the latest GISA poll, have not been defeated by a school in Georgia this year. The only blemish on their 8-1 record came in their second week of the season, when they traveled to Tallahassee and were defeated by North Florida Christian, 23-14.
Since then, they have only had one close game, a 20-19 nailbiting win over Tattnall Square in Macon and have been especially deadly in Region 1-AAA competition.
In their three games in the region, they have given up only 14 points, shutting out Bulloch Academy, 31-0, trouncing Westfield School, 28-7, and demolishing Pinewood Christian, 49-7.
“Deerfield is a great football team,” said Panthers coach Ryan Branch.
“They’re firing on all cylinders and they’re where we wish to be.”
The Pinewood game had been expected to be more of a contest.
The teams were tied for the lead in the standings and the Patriots had momentum after an upset of Southland Academy. Deerfield’s first team did not allow a score and their defense racked up the same amount of points as the Pinewood offense, having scored on a fumble recovery.
Deerfield has possessed a run-first offense this season, led by halfback Kh’Ron McClain. McClain has had a statistically spectacular year, racking up nearly 1,500 yards in nine games, an average of 11.74 per carry and over 160 per game. He performed better than his averages last week when he gained 179 on only 12 carries and scored three touchdowns.
“They’re a great rushing team because most of the time they don’t have to throw the ball,” Branch said.
Tiftarea is trying to get back on track and break a three-game losing streak. Despite their 1-8 record, the Panthers have put up a fight in every game this season. They have yet to be shut out and most games have been close.
“We’re really coming together as a team,” he said.
Southland needed a second half burst to secure their game against the Panthers. Tiftarea closed to seven points down, 20-13, in the second quarter, but the Golden Raiders added another touchdown just before the half and their capitalized on their momentum to pull away.
Branch was proud of his team’s efforts.
“We started off real slow, but the kids fought back and played hard.”
Last week saw the Panthers add an extra dimension to their offense. Normally a team led by rushing, it was the air attack that made the biggest dent in the Golden Raiders’ defense.
Quarterback Rob Flick was good for 204 yards through the air and a pair of touchdowns. Taylor Folsom was the recipient of most of the yardage, needing only three catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
“Sometimes you have to take baby steps,” said Branch. “The kids are doing the things they need to do to improve. The wins will come.”
Tiftarea will end their regular season next week when they host the Westfield School Hornets for senior night. Westfield is on the road this week at Pinewood Christian. Deerfield winds up their schedule at Southland.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Tiftarea Academy's Jake Ball (3), Joseph Spinks (9) and John Adams (70) drop back into pass coverage against Sherwood Christian in a game played earlier this year. Tiftarea will be on the road tonight at Brookwood. Jennifer Lumsden/sgasports.net
Panthers look to upset Knights
- Local News
-
-
Identity Theft: Do all you can to protect your credit, debit cards
Pictured are a couple of skimmers, used here on an ATM machine and gas pump. The devices usually fit right over the original card reader or key pad, but are loose when tugged.
It's summertime and there may be only two words on your mind – road trip. As we hit the roads this summer for vacations we all make stops at the gas station and the ATM.
Continued ...
Unfortunately, so do identity thieves. They set up machines called skimmers on gas pumps and ATMs that are designed to fool you and benefit them. The devices read your debit or credit card and record the number, which the thief can collect by retrieving the skimmer or even remotely using a smartphone and a wireless Internet connection. The information will then be used to create a duplicate card bearing the number, but a different name. - Tift Sheriff’s Office investigating scam
- Gazette asking for your help
- County millage rate remains same
- GEMA study reveals increased emergency preparedness across state
-
- Local Sports
-
-
Fields played, coached three eras of basketball
Imagine a player averaging 29 points per game for a career and receiving no college scholarship offers. That happened to Dona Fields.
Fields, as Dona Gaskins, is easily Berrien High's all-time leading scorer. She scored her 1,000th point as a sophomore and during her last three seasons was the Rebelettes' leading scorer in every game. She received no college attention, no offers. - Kilgore resigns baseball post at ABAC
- Girls basketball had long road to equality
- TCRD hosting pair of hardball tournaments
- Future Devils learn the ropes at ESMS
-
Fields played, coached three eras of basketball
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Police Reports
- Your Agenda
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
