Georgia Firebirds romp past South Carolina

ALBANY — The Georgia Firebirds entered Saturday’s matchup looking to preserve their chances of finishing the season with a .500 record as well as to avenge an embarrassing loss last week.

Luckily for the Albany Civic Center crowd, the Firebird faithful was in for much more of a treat in the home finale, a 73-24 romp over the South Carolina Ravens.

“The guys pretty much came out in the second half and played how I expected them to play,” head coach Antwone Savage said. “In the first half, we tried to play to their level. This team shouldn’t have even been in the game with us.”

Thanks to two quick strikes to Antonio Bearden and Jeff Atkins with a safety caused by Zack Brown between the two, the home team jumped out to a 15-0 lead. The Ravens began to counterpunch in the second quarter when Oliver Young scored twice on 8-yard and 30-yard catches.

Unfortunately for South Carolina, the Firebirds answered each Raven score with one of their own. Trevone Badger caught a 33-yard bomb and Corey Rue broke loose for a 30-yard dash to the end zone, even offensive lineman Danny Bunch got in on the action, giving the Firebirds a 33-16 lead at the half.

Young caught an eight-yard slant at the goal line to start the second half for the Ravens and Rue responded with a six-yard plunge to give the home team a 39-24 lead.

In the condensed arena league field, fielding a play-making defense is imperative and the Firebirds were just that at times on Saturday.

“My defense played really well for me today, in the second half for sure,” Savage said. “I was just saying I needed some pressure from the line, they came out and got that pressure, got a couple of sacks.”

Albany State alum Tavarius Washington led the Firebird defense with three sacks, four total tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Fort Valley alum Darrell Lake returned the fumble six yards for a touchdown. Calvin Harris, Jr. added an interception and a pass break-up. Chavious Jackson broke up two passes and caught a 24-yard touchdown pass to give the Firebirds a three-score lead just before the end of the third quarter.

In the wake of that scoring barrage, the Firebirds led 53-24, a lead that would prove insurmountable.

Should Savage and the home team see the Civic Center turf again in 2016, it’ll be in the playoffs. If that’s the case, the first-year coach just wants all hands on deck.

“I just want my guys to be on the same page, ready to go,” he said. “Because then, it’ll be win-or-go-home mode. It won’t be another game.”

The Firebirds travel to Savannah to take on the Steam in the regular season finale next Saturday.