Friday Night Rewind

Late touchdowns, breakthrough victories and big individual performances highlighted the week across Southwest Georgia.

Thomas County Central 49, Lee County 26

No. 1 Thomas County Central showed why it remains the team to beat in Class 6A, defeating No. 2 Lee County 49-26 before a sold-out crowd Friday night at Trojan Field. Yellow Jackets quarterback Aidan McPherson rushed for 266 yards and six touchdowns while also throwing a 45-yard scoring pass to JD White. A recovered onside kick and two interceptions helped Thomas County Central build a 28-6 halftime lead, with McPherson’s fourth-down touchdown coming after officials restored one second to the clock. Lee County responded after halftime and pulled within 42-26 before McPherson’s sixth rushing touchdown put the game away. Jordan Bush led the Trojans with 85 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Cohen Lawson completed 14 of 20 passes for 181 yards but threw two interceptions. Coach Dean Fabrizio said the Trojans moved the ball well at times but needed a higher level of execution against a team of Thomas County Central’s caliber.

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Dougherty 48, Columbus 0

Dougherty rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 48-0 Region 1-3A rout of Columbus on Thursday night at Hugh Mills Stadium. Quarterback Micah Joyner threw four first-half touchdown passes as the Trojans raced to a 35-0 halftime lead. Senior David Burgess caught three of those scoring passes, including an 80-yard catch-and-run, while sophomore Jherel Gibson turned another reception into a 65-yard touchdown. Senior safety Eric Spann added a 55-yard interception return for a score. Zion Johnson’s long run helped set up a second-half touchdown by Ja’Darrion Simmons. With the outcome settled, Dougherty coach Uyl Joyner used the fourth quarter to give several younger players game experience.

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Westover 21, Bainbridge 17

Gabriel Hopper connected with Mikhail Simmons for a 46-yard touchdown with just over three minutes remaining as Westover rallied past Bainbridge 21-17 in a key region matchup. The winning pass capped a three-play, 74-yard drive late in the fourth quarter. Sophomore running back Michael Daniels led the Patriots’ offense with 116 yards on 17 carries. Jordan Wallace anchored the defense with 10 tackles and an interception. Westover improved to 5-1 and has an open date before traveling to Columbus to face Spencer on Oct. 9.

Sherwood Christian 51, Calhoun County 34

A pair of freshmen powered Sherwood Christian Academy to a 51-34 homecoming victory over Calhoun County. Filling in for Chuck LaGrange, quarterback Brandon Hemmings completed 10 of 24 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns while rushing eight times for 90 yards and two more scores. Fellow freshman Dyson Harris carried 21 times for 139 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles earned their fourth victory. Calhoun County’s Quintin Edwards, the state’s Class A rushing leader, finished with 164 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Cougars quarterback Omarion Guildford completed 11 of 22 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. Sherwood Christian opens region play Friday at Legacy Field against defending region champion and state runner-up Southwest Georgia Academy.

Monroe 28, Hardaway 6

Monroe broke into the win column Friday night, defeating Hardaway 28-6 at Hugh Mills Stadium. The Golden Tornadoes received rushing touchdowns from Justin Grice, Jordyn Shorter, Dy’Karie Carr and Carter Hudson. Monroe’s defense kept the Hawks scoreless until the fourth quarter. Taririus Jenkins and Kyrein Davis delivered key defensive stops to help preserve the lead. The Golden Tornadoes will travel to Americus to face Sumter County in a non-region game Friday night.

Baconton Charter 28, Terrell Academy 21

Preston Hurst delivered a nearly flawless passing performance as Baconton Charter defeated Terrell Academy 28-21 Friday night in Baconton. The junior quarterback completed 11 of 12 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Kayden Logue caught seven passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Ziroc West added three receptions for 82 yards and two scores. The victory moved the Blazers to 5-1, marking their first five-win season in the records available on MaxPreps, which date to 2010. Baconton Charter has an open date this week, while Terrell Academy will host Central Fellowship Christian Academy.

Other scores

• Mitchell County 38, Pelham 13
• Cairo 42, Worth County 14
• Pacelli 36, Deerfield-Windsor 0
• Randolph-Clay 52, Kendrick 0