Worth County crushes Southeast Bulloch

SYLVESTER — The Worth County Rams lost the opening coin toss, then fumbled the opening kickoff.

However, the rest of the night was near-perfect in a 35-7 rout of Southeast Bulloch in the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs at Milt Miler Field. The victory sends the Rams into the second round of the state playoffs for the second straight season. Worth will meet the Greater Atlanta Christian-Pace Academy winner.

The Rams (7-4) scored two touchdowns from senior running back Horace Everson, two by running back Chris McDaniel and one more from junior quarterback Lance Eldridge.

Southeast Bulloch kicked off to open the game and the Rams muffed the reception but were able to recover. The Rams then marched more than 70 yards with a series of rushing plays from Everson and McDaniel. They ended the drive with a screen to Everson for his first touchdown of the night.

On the second drive, the Rams ran straight down the field again but this time using screen passes from Eldridge to Everson and McDaniel. However, one of the very few errors of the night for the Rams took place at the one-yard line with a fumble that gave the Yellow Jackets possession.

But Eldridge took the next possession into his own hands, scoring on a 51-yard run around the right side to put the Rams up 14-0.

For most of the game, the Ram defense kept the Yellow Jacket offense in check. The only serious threat in the first half for Southeast Bulloch was late when they moved moved inside the 40-yard line.

The Rams ended that threat with an interception by Tay McCullough.

Worth County took over with less than a minute and half left in the half but quickly marched down the field. A long run by Everson set the Rams up deep inside Jacket territory but a face mask penalty brought the ball back past midfield.

However, a long pass from Eldgride to Jakwaveon Thomas set the Rams up again. With three seconds left, McDaniel scored to give Worth a 21-0 halftime lead.

The second half was much of the same.

The Yellow Jackets were still unable to generate any offense against the Rams’ defense until late in the game when they were already behind 35-0. The Yellow Jackets got their only score against mostly substitutes.

The Rams did get two more touchdowns. Eldridge connected with Thomas again for a 50-yard pass that moved Worth County inside the 13-yard line. Two plays later, Everson scored his second touchdown of the night.

The Rams kicked off to the Yellow Jackets, but the Jackets fumbled and the Rams recovered and had possession again just inside the 33-yard line. A few moments later, McDaniel raced 25 yards for the score to give the Rams a 35-0 lead. All the extra points were kicked by Seth Souter.