Gun Shots End Dougherty-Monroe Football Game
Jacob Stallworth (21) leads the blocking for Dougherty quarterback Kameron Davis (4) during the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game against rival Monroe.
Joe Whitfield
Joe Whitfield
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Joe Whitfield
Staff Correspondent
ALBANY – Gunfire erupted Friday night just outside Hugh Mills Stadium as the Dougherty Trojans and the Monroe Golden Tornadoes were nearing the end of their annual football game. With 1: 34 remaining in the fourth quarter of the game, approximately 10-12 gunshots were heard coming from just north of the stadium where student buses park for the game and right as fans were heading to the exits because the game was nearing its end. Players and coaches rushed off the field and into the locker rooms while fans rushed to get out of the stands, behind the wall, or underneath the benches. With sirens blaring, the game was called. Dougherty won 45-12.
Both Coach Lacey Herring of Monroe and Coach Johnny Gilbert of Dougherty reported that their players and coaches were accounted for and safe. More gunshots rang out later Friday night from a similar area near the stadium.
The night had been a near-perfect night for high school football. A pleasant temperature, no rain in sight, and a very large crowd at Hugh Mills Stadium came out to enjoy the rivalry game between two of Albany’s high school football programs. The game was an important part of the competition for the region title and playoffs. The Trojans (8-0) are currently ranked No. 6 in the state while the loss Friday night drops Monroe to 4-4 on the year. Each team has two games remaining in the regular season.
The game took almost three hours because of penalty after penalty. Both teams were flagged numerous times.
The Tornadoes showed a great deal of fight in the game, but the Trojans had too many weapons to battle. Quarterback Kameron Davis, running back Jacob Stallworth, wide receiver Larry Lane, and a defense that sacked Monroe quarterback Corey Randle at least four times was more than Monroe could overcome. And sometimes when you’re already good, you get some luck, too. That happened a couple of times for the Trojans.
Larry Lane scored on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Davis that probably should have been intercepted. The Monroe defense was on Davis and the quarterback lofted the ball into the air where Lane and three Monroe defenders were. One of the Monroe players tipped the ball and it fell into Lane’s hands and the senior wide receiver raced the rest of the way into the end zone for the score. The Trojans got another break when a punt by Davis was slightly touched by Monroe and bounced past the receiver to the 20-yard line where the Trojans recovered. A few plays later the Trojans were on the board again.
Monroe fans had several chances to get excited, including a screen pass from quarterback Corey Randle to wide receiver Andrico Jackson that Jackson turned into a 45-yard touchdown play in the second quarter. Jackson also had a 56-yard pass play in the fourth quarter that got the Tornadoes down to the 20-yard line, but back-to-back sacks by the Dougherty defense ended that threat. Camryn Randle and Justin Lane also made impressive catches for the Tornadoes. Jaylen Adams blocked an extra point for the Tornadoes, but the play was called back because of a penalty.
Dougherty will host Thomasville (5-3, 3-0) next Thursday night at Hugh Mills. Both teams come into the contest unbeaten in the region. Monroe will host Carver at Hugh Mills Friday night. Thomasville beat Columbus 56-6 Friday night while Carver lost to Crisp County 42-18.
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