The Swainsboro Tigers rallied from a 32-13 halftime deficit and nearly completed a dramatic comeback but fell to the Bleckley County Royals, 39-34. With a little luck and a fortunate deflection on an onside kick with 70 seconds remaining, the Tigers would have had an opportunity rescue their much maligned defense which had given up close to 450 yards to the electric Royal’s offense.
Bleckley County QB Tavin Ross was the story on this night. Ross racked up close to 370 rushing yards combined against his two previous opponents (Screven County and Laney), but topped that against the Tigers with 206 yards on 15 carries. Ross scored from 23 yards out and 56 yards out in the first quarter to jumpstart the Royal’s offense. Just as it looked like the Royals would go up 3 touchdowns in the opening quarter, Swainsboro forced a fumble and then answered with their own scoring drive. QB Deantae Johnson scored from 1 yard out with 1:35 remaining in the 1st quarter for a 14-7 deficit.
Defensively, it looked as if Swainsboro had steadied the ship and the defensive line was slowing the rushing attack. But Ross showed another weapon in his arsenal as he unleashed a 48 yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was good and the Royals lead grew to 22-7. Johnson would come right back for Swainsboro with a 63 yard run down the Royals’ 7 yard line. He scored on a 5 yard run and the score was back to a manageable 22-13 with 5:16 to go in the half.
Bleckley County refused to sit on their lead and put together two scoring drives in those final minutes. Ross completed a 9 yard touchdown pass and his kicker later nailed a 47 yard field goal to close the half out with Swainsboro trailing 32-13.
In the 3rd quarter, Swainsboro again showed that they would not go meekly and FB Quan Gardner ran one in from 24 yards out to trim the lead to 32-20. It looked as if the Tigers would have a chance to climb closer as their defense stiffened. The Royals were faced with a 3rd and 1 at their own 17 yard line as the Tigers defense packed the middle to prevent the conversion. However, Ross had other ideas and took the ball over the left end and raced 83 yards for a backbreaking touchdown, 39-20.
Johnson rallied his squad for a quick 4th quarter touchdown with 9:19 remaining and the defense forced a turnover. But it was a Swainsboro fumble at the Royals’ 20 yard line that eliminated a big opportunity for the Tigers to get within one score as time slipped away. Swainsboro held again and Johnson’s offense roared down the field as he completed a 15 yard touchdown strike to WR Austin Fultz to close to 39-34 with 1:10 remaining in the game. Kicker Marcos Batista executed a perfect onside kick and the ball bounded high towards the front return line of Bleckley County. There was a frantic scramble to recover the ball and at first it looked as if the Tigers might have one last opportunity. But the Royals came away with possession and milked the final minute from the clock to hold on to 2nd place in the region.
Johnson led the rushing effort with 110 yards on 25 carries and 3 touchdowns. He also threw for 156 yards, his best offensive performance of the season. Yet the defense just couldn’t contain the talented skill players for Bleckley County who would not be denied. The Royals improve to 5-1 in the region while the Tigers drop to 2-4.
Swainsboro will host the Screven County Gamecocks this Friday night for Senior Night and their final home game of the season.
