The Swainsboro Tigers spoiled the 50th anniversary celebration of the Shamrock Bowl with a convincing, 34-10 victory over the Dublin Irish. The win moves the Tigers to 3-1 on the season and gathers momentum as Swainsboro heads into the meat of their schedule.

Despite appearances of a lopsided margin of victory, this game was actually too close for comfort for the first half of football. Dublin is going through a down cycle in terms of experienced talent and is 0-4 on the season. Yet they were motivated early on against the Tigers and the results showed. Swainsboro took the opening drive and scored with 9:45 to go in the 1st quarter when QB Deantae Johnson strolled 38 yards into the end zone for the game’s first score. Dublin bounced right back, scoring 4 minutes later after an efficient drive and knotted the score 7-7. Swainsboro appeared sluggish at times and sputtered on offense while allowing the Irish to maneuver effectively down the field.

“I felt like to begin the game, we just came out a little flat and did not play with the level of intensity and concentration that we needed to,” commented head coach David Johnson. “I thought that was what probably caused some of the ball handling mistakes as well as some missed tackles and assignments.”

With 10:12 to go in the 2nd quarter, Dublin took the lead with a 28 yard field goal, 10-7. The Tigers were ineffective on offense, in large part because of ball security, losing 2 fumbles in the half. But, with just over a minute to play in the 1st half, Johnson dropped back and found WR Stephen Gomez streaking open down the middle of the field. Johnson connected with Gomez for an 82 yard touchdown, as Gomez turned on the jets and ran away from defenders after the catch. The extra point was successful and the Tigers took a 14-10 lead into halftime.

The 2nd half was all Swainsboro as they tacked on 3 touchdowns and played stifling defense to shut down the Irish. Johnson scored a 55 yard TD run in the 3rd quarter and Jemerico Bell continued his excellent play with a 52 yard TD run in the 4th quarter. Johnson added a 19 yard TD pass to WR Demetrius Knight to complete the scoring, 34-10.

Bell led all rushers with 156 yards on 18 carries. Johnson was close behind with 129 yards on 11 carries. Johnson was also 4 of 9 for 120 yards through the air. Gomez grabbed the first two catches of his Tiger career, while Startavious Harmon and Demetrius Knight made key receptions, too. Bell added 14 total tackles to his tally, while DJ Douglas and Demetrius Sherrod contributed 13 tackles apiece to bolster the Tigers’ defense.

“Defensively, we picked up the intensity and had some guys come through with some big plays that put Dublin in some long yardage situations, which made it tough for them,” said Coach Johnson. “Demetrius Sherrod (Spud) had a great night. He is extremely quick and, when he sees where the ball is going, he has terrific closing speed.”

Swainsboro was able to rest some of the wounded as QB Dylan Poole played sparingly and Rico Johnson is still healing from a deep thigh bruise and did not play at all.

Swainsboro will enjoy an off week before hosting the Statesboro Blue Devils on October 5. Around the region, Jefferson County lost for the third time on the season as they were upset by the Evans Knights 24-20. Thompson took down LaGrange 49-42, Washington County wore down Laney 51-28, and Dodge County dropped their first game of the season, losing to rival Bleckley County 15-8.