Local & State Headlines

Wildcats fans bask in playoffs

• The South Georgia Wildcats lost Saturday night’s playoff game against Manchester 46-42.

Paul Dehner Jr.

ALBANY - At 12:15 p.m., Gary Beard pulled into Civic Center parking lot and began setting up his tailgate.

It was more than seven hours before the South Georgia Wildcats were introduced in front of an electric crowd which formed a sea of flying white towels that ended in a 46-42 South Georgia loss.

Yes, it was mid-afternoon on an average Saturday, but as a crowd of almost 50 formed at Beard's tailgate, there was little question the playoffs were being welcomed with open arms by the city of Albany.

"We usually come to games when we can," Beard, of Albany, said of his group of friends. "Last Sunday when we found out they won we all started texting about it. Everybody made it out for this one."

The smell of Barbeque and bacon wraps wafted from outside the two RVs and tents placed directly in front of the Civic Center parking lot. More tents and tailgates popped up around them as kickoff approached.

Reed Gorman's bus was stationed on the other end of the parking lot and featured a sprawling collection of employees from MacGregor Golf all enjoying another week of Wildcats football.

And before long, it was all about football.

All those who enjoyed beer and burgers outside the stadium slowly funneled through the turnstiles and filled to the top rows of the stands in some spots.

All rose and fell with all the extra intensity the playoffs warranted. Where loud chants of defense were typically reserved for the fourth quarter during the regular season, they came early and often on Saturday.

Rick Eberhardt, of Albany, is a season ticket holder and has been to every game this season. He certainly could tell the difference.

"I was surprised a little, but not a lot," he said. "The energy all built up during the week and really came to a head tonight."

The atmosphere lived up to what Beard predicted it might when he arrived on the scene earlier that day.

"We are already planning on coming back next weekend," Beard said before the game.

WIN: The Wildcats would grant his wish.

OR LOSE: The Wildcats wouldn't grant his wish, but at least for one night the playoffs were alive and well in Albany.

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