Friday night saw a pair of 2-6 teams hoping to put a positive spin on what has been a disappointing season. With two games remaining, the Swainsboro Tigers hosted the Screven County Gamecocks and came away with a dramatic “stop” on defense to turn the visitors away 21-20.

   Early on, it looked as if the Tigers would make a powerful statement to the Gamecocks as they continued the momentum from the 34 point output against Bleckley County and scored twice in the opening quarter.  QB Deantae Johnson could not be contained, running in and around traffic and making the offense go.  He scored first on a 10 yard run with 7:43 of the first quarter and then again with a 16 yards scamper at the 1:23 mark to go up 14-0.  The Tigers moved the ball effectively for the rest of the half, but failed to add to their lead.

   Defensively, Swainsboro knew what to expect from Screven County.   The Gamecocks’ FB Jeremy Johnson is the equivalent of a road grader.  Easily the largest starting tailback in the region, Johnson had over 800 yards on his 2011 resume and figured to carry the load again.  However, the Tigers made him highly ineffective by shooting through gaps and pulling him down before he could get moving.  Without Johnson doing the heavy lifting, Screven County could find little production and the half ended 14-0.

   The second half was a different story.  It’s hard to tell if the Gamecocks simply blocked better or if the Tigers lost their focus, but Jeremy Johnson took over.  Screven County scored on their two 3rd quarter possessions and Johnson at one time carried the ball 15 consecutive times.  He was like a bowling ball taking out Tiger defenders and gaining large chunks of yardage.  Johnson scored a 19 yard touchdown run at 7:07 and added a 1 yard plunge with 2:40 to go in the quarter to tie the game at 14.  

   The Tigers also have a FB who can move the chains.  Quan Gardner answered back immediately with a 55 yard touchdown run that returned the lead to the home side of the scoreboard, 21-14 with 1:39 to go in the 3rd quarter.  

   Both defenses adjusted and the final stanza was war of attrition as both teams were getting banged up and injuries accumulated.   The Gamecocks’ Johnson put his team on his back as time ticked away and he scored 1 yard touchdown with 1:25 to go in the game.  With all of the momentum and with Johnson moving defenders 5-6 yards per carry, Screven County head coach Greg Manior elected to go for the win with a 2 point conversion attempt.  Of course big Johnson got the ball and headed left, looking for 3 yards and the potential game winning score.  However, Tiger defenders blew through that side and swamped the full back at the line of scrimmage to stop the Gamecocks and preserve the 21-20 victory.

   Swainsboro moves to 3-4 in the region and 3-6 overall.  They will close out their season next week in Augusta against the Laney Wildcats (6-3).  In other games around the region, Jefferson County (6-3) knocked off the previously undefeated Dublin Irish(8-1), 26-7.  Bleckley County (6-3) thwarted a two point conversion late as well in beating Dodge County (4-5), 14-13, in a turnover laden game.