Georgia Public Broadcasting presents the 2005 Georgia High School Association's football semifinals.

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Live from the Georgia Dome, it's the GHC single-A football semifinal featuring the Lincoln County Red Devils at the Johnson County Trojans.

Big crowd on head.

The winner advances to the state football championship next weekend.

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the broadcast booth.

I'm Jim Tanaka, along with D.J.

Jones.

We've got a big one between the Trojans and the Red Devils.

D.J.. Of course, you know, Lincoln County comes in not real flashy, but a lot of speed led by quarterback Brandon Barton.

Brandon Barton is indeed a joy to watch.

He is a converted quarterback who used to play tight end six foot five big kid, and he does an excellent job of running this double wing offense.

And of course, the youth had an opportunity to have over 500 yards on the ground rushing to go along with 769 yards passing.

So he's a he's a talent.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Keith Krait leads the way at number 59 and.

He's leading the 50 defense a good size and he can run and they only get about 14 points per game.

And that's quite has a lot to do with that.

And earlier we talked to head coach Larry Campbell as to what we can expect from the Red Devils.

Well, we got a big young quarterback is that six foot four and he's basically a running pass quarterback.

He helped us instill a new offense that we've been experimenting with and had a lot of fun with.

This can be for wide sometimes or still is always one back in the backfield.

Our quarterback got hurt during camp misses.

He had surgery, so we had to take a sexual wide receiver and make a quarterback out of him.

He doesn't like it, but he's he's done very well for a very successful run, more so than the passing game.

Even though we had a one back set defensively, we did the same thing.

We ran for 30 years.

We ran a52 defense.

Most of the time, people that spread us out will try to get in what we call a cover to.

Georgia's all time winningest coach, Larry Campbell.

Now on the other side of the ball, Johnson County, another great offensive explosion by this team this year led by number 15, Cordell Johnson.

Cordell Johnson is the catalyst in this offense, accounting for 50, 50% of the Trojans offense, of course, with 1100 yards passing to go along with nearly 500 yards rushing.

And this is an exciting quarterback.

And we look for him to do some big things today.

Defensively, led by linebacker Rick Tobias Prosser.

Rick Prosser is a bit undersized, but he's quick and he's another one of those head hunters.

And he has to have a good day in order for the Trojan, the Trojans, to keep the Red Devils out of the endzone.

And earlier, we had a chance to catch up with head coach Bill Bonds and what his game plan is for the Trojans.

Offensively, we're based out of we do get in multiple give you multiple looks.

We I guess philosophy was more formations do better.

We're probably a 6041 football team not afraid to throw the ball only down and got a lot of good school kids.

So using our speeds and falling defensively, we're in a 50 and we're up field defensive football team and utilizing again because we don't have a lot of size, a lot of speed, just trying to be a lot of kids is football.

In a nutshell.

This should be a good one.

It should be a good one.

Johnson County hadn't been here before.

On the other hand, Lincoln County has been down this road before.

So I think that it's going to be a very good ballgame.

All right.

Our third member of our broadcast team is on the sidelines, John O'Brien.

John.

And thanks, guys.

Just to reiterate what you were saying.

Oh, guys, just just to reiterate what you guys are saying, no shortage of great coaching here.

Larry Campbell, the winningest coach in Georgia history, and Bill Bonds, the 81 and 37 in his 13 years as head coach.

But this is a big time game and you need a big time players.

Let's talk about the quarterbacks for both teams.

Kordell Johnson and Brandon Barton have over 1000 yards rushing combined and 22 touchdowns to the rushing games.

Going to be very important here.

Also, this Astroturf, this is the first game for Lincoln County on the Astroturf.

But for Johnson County, they went up to the University of Georgia on Tuesday to practice, but still their first game on the turf, guys.

All right.

The football single-A semi football final is next.

Welcome back to the Georgia Dome.

It's like our second home.

There you have the Jones.

It's going to be a great football game.

It is going to be a great football game.

But again, coming into the building, as I saw the Johnson County football team, they were looking around as if they ran on this game.

Hopefully they can get overcome that and bear down and play some football.

There you see the Red Devils taking the field here at the Georgia Dome for the seventh time in the last nine years.

They've made it here to the football semifinals here in downtown Atlanta, still waiting for the Johnson County Trojans to take the field and of course, for the Trojans, T.J., this is their first trip to the dome to play here in the semifinals.

It is.

And like I said before, coming in to the building, everybody's looking around and everybody's in all of this beautiful facility.

And again, if that if they could come down from that high of what's going on around them and settle down and play their game, we certainly can have a great football game.

There you see on the regular season, Lincoln County's numbers, rushing yards, 2766 yards passing, not as many.

But look at the rushing touchdowns.

Absolutely.

And this team is I tell you what, they went to a new offense this year.

Normally, they've been in the wishbone in formation for many of the years and Coach Campbell had been at Lincoln but in the double wing this year.

So it'll be interesting to see how much yardage they eat up today.

Okay.

There you see Coach Larry Campbell, 34 seasons.

There's the road to the Georgia Dome.

They defeated Jefferson, 27 seven, Gordon Lee and Twiggs County, of course, they shut out 20 to nothing.

Defense showed up in that quarterfinal.

This might be the best year in his career, according to Coach Campbell, because he didn't expect to be here today, but he had a lot of young players and not a lot of returning guys.

But again, the job they've done after losing the first three ballgames to end up here, it's just been sensational.

And there you see Johnson County and their regular season stats on the year rushing yards over 2000 passing yards, 1300 and a little bit more balance here on this side.

And that's a record.

That's definitely Cordell Johnson.

He is the guy that, you know, he makes this thing go.

He's our tailback.

He's actually like quarterback running option and he throw very well.

And there you see Johnson County's out road to the dome beating ECI Seminole County and Freeman 1714 and a.

Tight one in the quarterfinals Spencer Huntley his to kick the ball off.

For Johnson County Darrell Norman back deep to receive for Lincoln County as we get set for the single-A football semifinal between Lincoln County and Johnson County.

And we had the kick off with.

The short get taken off the 34 yard line and brought down at the 40 yard line is number 50.

Trey Marks.

Interesting strategy there for the coach to get the pooch kick early on to give Lincoln this great field position in the early going.

Brandon Barton And the offense comes down the field here.

You see his numbers on the air, 39, 38 of 97, 769 yards, seven touchdowns, but six in teams.

Remember, this is the guy that was playing wide receiver had no idea that he'd be playing quarterback this year, but has done an excellent job in leading the rebels.

And it's first and.

Ten for the Red Devils at their own 40 yard line as we get that first offensive play from scrimmage here at the Dome.

And it's a pitch and now a double reverse and the ball Henson, Ron Tate, Norman and Gordon gets to about the 44 yard line good play.

And a good start for Lincoln County.

Well certainly Coach Campbell starting out.

Exciting there, a little misdirection there.

Get the sweep going one way up wing and reversing field.

And there's your offensive line up the Miles Rhodes, Lee McGill and Morris on the offensive line and then in the backfield it's Jennings Norman both to Norman's Bradford and Jones at the tight end position.

Second down and six for the Red Devils and the handoff goes to number to Octavius Jennings and Jennings has enough for a first down he gets into.

Johnson County territory and the ball will be marked at the 44 yard line.

Stop by number 53 is king.

Here's how Johnson County lines up defensively.

It's Whitley King, Martin, Lindsey and Barrow up front.

The linebackers Jefferson, Prosser and Rawlings back deep is Linder, Murray and Whitley.

Now, it's a first and ten for Lincoln County.

Nice job so far in front of the offensive line for the Red Devils.

Handoff up the middle and John Tate is Jennings getting the call again and he picks up about four yards to the 40 will be a second and six.

Looks like the Red Devils are definitely trying to establish the tempo here going right at the heart of the defense of the Trojans.

There you see Jennings numbers on the year 447 total yards.

He's averaging six yards a carry D.J.

and eight touchdowns.

And indeed second and six for the Red Devils.

A shot of Brandon Barton, the quarterback and.

In motion gets the course down Norman one score on his feet Inside the 30 yard line Good run by Terrell Norman brought down by Brad Jefferson Number four Number 53 McCarl is King.

Good quickness by Darrell Norman Getting to the outside showing that burst And that's what you need And that's what they've been really going off of all year, as you see, getting the talk from Barton, getting to the edge and just that's just pure speed out there on the corner.

And another first down as Lincoln County is marching.

Down the field at the 29 yard line of Johnson County.

Coming up on 10 minutes to go in the first quarter and a handoff up the ducks number two short Tobias Jimmy Jimmy battling his way inside the 15 yard line great run by Sean Tierney.

As Jennings brought down finally by Brad Jefferson and Cedric Rawlings.

But take a look at the blocking here, T.J.. Look at both Garcon, Logan and Rhodes as well, as well as Robert Miles.

The offensive tackle opening up the hold there for the running back to get up inside.

Jim, I think with those guys blocking like that, you could get a carry like that.

You know, I think you're right first and ten for Lincoln County at the 15 yard line of Johnson County Garden.

Has the offense moving downfield quickly.

And in motion handoff Jennings Jennings battling.

His way down to about the 12 yard line stop by number 30, Stacy Devera.

The Trojans defense hunkering down.

And we're going right back to that same hold there.

But again, I'll just beat on defense, plugged it up and good sound play by the defensive line for the Johnson County Trojans.

Jennings had quite a career in Johnson County, over 600 yards rushing.

And and there's Barton bringing the offense up for Lincoln County second and eight three step drop fires Whiteside has a move on That's Alex Bradford Touchdown Great.

Execution there.

By Barton and his white out there I'll tell you double perfect pitch and catch there to get the ball into.

The end zone.

Bradford on the receiving end and Lincoln County goes up six nothing.

Taking a look at that Barton spots his wideout out there probably the coach upstairs saw something and saw the quarterback playing off, but was able to execute the pass and get it in the end zone for the score.

And to attempt.

The extra point is Ron Norman.

And we can tell this kick is up and it's good.

So Lincoln County has the early lead with 854 to go.

Seven nothing over Johnson County D.J Red Devils just took it right downfield.

And that's what you have to do you you have to establish the tempo and here you got another look at Barton throwing darts, essentially.

But I still think that play came from upstairs, seeing how soft the cornerbacks were playing for Johnson County.

Great catch and nice effort to get into the end zone.

And here's yet another angle from the end zone.

A great second effort by Alex Bradford to get in the end zone after keeping his balance, maintaining his balance.

So and there's the scoring drive seven play 60 yards and it only took 3 minutes and 6 seconds Bradford on the receiving end of a 12 yard touchdown reception the capping off that's Bradford by the way First touchdown in the postseason Bronte Norman to kick it off for Lincoln County as you see the head coach Larry Campbell in his 22nd semifinal in his 34 years at Lincoln County Gym.

I think it's very important to see how Johnson County answers to, of course, that score by Lincoln and.

Kick it off through the 40 yard line and it goes back deep.

And this is featured Murray Murray 2025 and is.

Finally brought down around the 2728 yard line.

That's where Johnson County will take over first and ten stop by number, 59 Keys.

Great.

Great vision there by B.J.

Murray up inside there, seeing the crease and hitting it.

He almost attacked another level.

One man, he would have been off to the races.

There you see Cordials Johnson's numbers on the year 59 of, what, 29 for 1100 yards, 13 touchdowns and ten interceptions.

But this kid has some.

Speed.

First and ten.

The ball marked at the 28 yard line for Johnson County, trailing seven nothing in the early going and the handoff.

And option play looking down field has a man and it's broken up by number nine.

Ron Norman of.

Lincoln County attempted for number 14.

Cedrick Rawlings downfield.

And you see the defensive back was not fooled at all.

Actually, Rawlings is the one that threw the ball and on the receiving end was Antonio King, number 36.

There's a look at Bill Bonds.

Johnson County opening up with another wrinkle there.

But he's going to take that and some good, solid football in order for them to compete today for free.

Flicker off the top second and ten for Johnson County.

Johnson rolls left fires has a man.

That's number four that is Brad Jefferson and Jefferson looks like he has enough for the first down he does.

And you see the nice ball fake there by Johnson again the line and get his shoulders squared thrown the dart to Jefferson out there for a nice game.

So first and ten for Jefferson County at their own 45 yard line there's their offensive line up on the line.

It's Dixon, Tanner, Whitley, King and Lindsay in the backfield, Navarro, Rawlings, Whitley, Murray and Martin is your tight end on first and ten at the 45 yard line Johnson on the keeper and now we have a whistle and it could be a false start on the offense.

Johnson County is doing a nice job of answering the score by Lincoln County coming out and executing.

Hopefully this is not a penalty against them.

There you see Coach Bill Bonds.

It is.

The referee is Jean McCloud for the single-A football semifinal.

Dead ball, false start.

By the.

Offense five yards.

First down if you want to break up your momentum.

That's the kind of stuff that'll do it defensively.

Lincoln County.

Here's how they stack up on the line.

It's Wells, McGill, Jennings and Norman.

The linebackers are Jones Porter and quiet and back Deep is not Norman's three.

Norman's and Jones and under 8 minutes to go here in the first quarter.

Johnson County at their own 40 yard line on first and 15 and the handoff to number 20.

Three Ashton Thompson and Thompson picks up a couple.

Johnson did a nice job of there executing the little Billy play there.

He looks like he's going to come back and he's setting up probably the option to come back to the wide side of the field after faking it up inside to the fullback.

But that's the kind of that's the kind of kind of plays that Johnson County has been successful with, with Johnson leading this team in that formation run the option.

Clock continues to run Johnson County at their own 46 with a second down.

And nine Johnson looks Whiteside has a man.

Incomplete intended for number 14 Cedric Rawlings.

Johnson seems to have did have that gathered himself and rolling to his right to out nearside then of course not really getting his feet set to get that ball to get get the mustard on it that he needs to get that pass in there.

And you see him rolling here to your near side.

Take a look at him.

He's actually threw off his back foot and that accounted for that pass being a little hot.

Rawlings, his favorite target on the air, especially at six.

To 205.

So it's a third down and nine for Johnson County.

Johnson looks damn good.

Has a man and then he's gone from Jefferson.

Touchdown!

Great trickery there on that.

Offensive set there.

Everything.

It was coming to the right side.

Everybody but Jefferson.

Jefferson did a little drag back across the formation and was wide open.

And nearly all of the defense of the Red Devils were on the near sideline.

What a great play.

Johnson rolls right then looks left and Johnson wide open.

He takes it 54 yards for a touchdown and Johnson County is finally on the board.

And Spencer Hartley now to attempt the extra point to tie it up.

And Hartley's kick is up and it's good.

So Lincoln County scores on their first possession and Johnson County does the same.

Take another look at, of course, the great fake by Johnson fooling everybody going right, but throwing it back against the field to his Jefferson over there on the other side and he slips out the back door.

Now, this is so much for the, you know, being shocked or being in honor of being in this building that showed me right there that Johnson Town is ready to play.

Yeah, there was the understanding.

That there was an OU syndrome going on with the Trojans making their first trip here.

There's a scoring drive, five play, 72 yards.

It took two and 2 minutes and 1/2.

And of course, Jefferson on the receiving end of that 54 yard touchdown reception, Spencer Hartley is set to kick this thing off for Johnson County as Bill Bonds gives some final instructions to the special teams.

Now, exciting ballgame here in the early goings.

And I'm know that's what you come to see when you come to the dome and those folks that are watching out there all over the all over the region.

And Hartley is going to look at kick this one again, straight up another short kick.

I wouldn't do that because again, you're giving Lincoln County a short field to work with.

And I think it's potent is that offense is you need to give them as much field as they need.

And it's a short kick and it's.

By our 27 out Bradford and he's taken down right away by.

Number five Kelvin Ridley good play by Whitley.

Big hit Big hit by Whitley but I don't know I think that's a I'll take another look at this but check this out.

Whitley on top of it there.

And so Lincoln County will start at their own 25 yard line first and ten caution quarterback.

Lincoln County is Brandon Barton.

Number six, the junior got a man in motion inside handoff to Darren Norman and Norman has nowhere to go stop.

By number 26 Rick Tobias Prosser and also number 76.

Curtis Decker.

Curtis Daniels, great.

Execution there.

But again, no penetration by Curtis Daniels to get into the backfield.

I don't care what kind of execution you have on the offensive side.

You don't give yourself a chance when you don't block guys like Daniels big crosser, another big hitter there, one of the leaders on the defense and on the play as well.

So it's a second down and 12 as the Red Devils lost two guards on that, playing from their own 23 handoff.

Inside to number three Tyler Beal Beal stands at 591 95 He picked up about eight yards on the play Gets to about the 31 yard line It's going to be a third and about four for Lincoln County.

Curtis Daniels was back in the backfield again, just one hole over from where that ball was run up inside.

Then that would have been another big play for Daniels.

But fortunately for the Red Devils, they were able to get a few yards out of it.

So a big third and four for Lincoln County at the 540 mark of the first quarter.

Inside, no fake.

Handoff keeper by far he tries to run outside finally brought down at the 34 yard line by number 14 seven calling it play by Rawley.

Nice play by Rawlins and also nice play by Brandon Barton.

Coming right at you here on this next play, you see a little bit of the athleticism of this six foot four quarterback, stiff arming there and getting outside.

Just didn't have a pitch, man, but a great second effort there, getting his head down, getting under, getting under his pads and getting good, positive yardage.

Right into your living room.

There's the numbers on Brandon Barton.

His rushing yards for the year 79 carries 504 yards, averaging just over six yards per carry and ten touchdowns.

Expect a lot of running out of him today.

Brandon Barnes is back to punt on a fourth and one for Lincoln County.

Back deep three seed number 14, Cedric Rawlings of Johnson County and a low end over it and kick and this one's going to be touched down by Lincoln County at about the 15 yard line.

Normally on goal line drives like that those are the kinds that you want to return to give you the best opportunity to beat, you know, come up field before the coverage team gets it.

But Rawlings elected not to not to take the ball and run upfield with.

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Cordell Johnson, the senior quarterback and he hands it off and this one goes up the middle.

That's Ashton Thompson with the carry.

That's a second carry of the game for Ashton.

That's the bread and butter for the Trojans, the little belly option up inside out by Clark.

They'll continue to do that in and go until the Red Devils stop it.

But on the other side of that, the other element to the other dimension of that play is the, of course, Johnson getting outside on the corner with with the option.

Coming up on the four minute mark in the first quarter.

Very quick first quarter here from the Georgia Dome and the handoff goes to number five, Kelvin Whitley and Whitley picks up a couple.

Nice push by the offensive front for the Trojans.

That's Chaz Tanner as well as Darius Dickson, the offensive guard and tackle on that left side.

A 31.

For the Trojans.

And the handoff goes to Kelvin swiftly again.

And he has more than enough for the first.

Down as he crosses over the 30 yard line to about the 33.

That'll be a first and ten for Johnson County.

Good.

Tough running up inside, running behind this excellent offensive line here on the right side, running back nice and low, good leverage, getting up and running behind his pants and getting the great positive yards.

Darryl Norman made the tackle with some help to get the East Jones.

Number five, first of ten, Johnson County.

To White out to the left, one to the right.

Johnson looking downfield and incomplete.

Intended for number 23.

Ashton Thompson I believe the Red Devils got away with one.

They're Franklin Jones the defensive back, although was in excellent position.

But he might have got his hand in there, gotten away with it.

But if they don't call it, I guess it's a good play right there.

Right there is Thompson.

And here it is.

Look, one more time coming right at you as Johnson fires downfield just out of the reach of Ashton Thompson.

At second and ten.

Johnson marking.

Might be calling an audible here at the line.

Johnson drops back, flips downfield now runs right side Finally lets go and this.

Ball is incomplete intended for number 30.

Stacey Devereaux Johnson does a great job of with the ball fake there but he's not fooling the defensive line there as you see the pressure that's put on the quarterback for Johnson County but he moves outside still throwing up that back foot and that's accounting for the ball sailing on him.

That leads to a third and ten.

Now, as Johnson comes back on the field with this third down play.

And big play here for the Johnson County Trojans.

Johnson.

In the shotgun on 3010 throws wise looks like fires has a man complete to number five.

Calvin Whitley Whitley's at the 45 yard line and that will be enough for a Johnson County first down.

Nice execution by the quarterback Johnson as you see him out of the shotgun he's going to roll to the right gets his feet set and throws a dart hitting Whitley for nice game right on the numbers I don't think you can throw it any better than that.

So the drive is still alive.

There you see Johnson's numbers on the year in passing.

59 of one 2913 touchdowns.

A lot of formations here by the Jets shows two and a half to go first at ten Johnson Rolls left.

We have a whistle on the field.

If you're the defensive coordinator for the Red Devils, man, that's giving you fits because they're coming out with so many multiple formations, they're spread out wide and then they're packing it in tight and running out of the yard.

But nice selection, nice place selection by the Johnson County offensive staff.

This one gets walked back on Johnson County.

Here's referee Jim McCloud.

Here ball false start only offense.

Five yards first down.

And here are the officials for today's game, of course, Jim McCloud.

Then you have Austin Smith, Leonard White and Chastain, the field judge, Georgia Football Officials Association calling today's game here at the Georgia Dome first and 15 for Johnson County at the 40 yard line.

Yep.

Johnson checking out that defense before he starts count.

Now we have a stop in play here and a flag.

And this one is too much time against Johnson County.

Another one of those formations had the wind to the right there, but they had a slot to the left hand, you know.

Ball delay of the game, five yards, only offense first down.

A lot of formations being used here in the early going by Johnson County.

So what started out as a first and ten at the 45 is now a first and 20 at the 35 for Johnson County and Johnson under center and the handoff.

To number 30 stationed him out the pair of the 4550 and gets inside Lincoln County territory at the 48 yard.

Line brought down by number seven Darrel Norman.

Great blocking on this play take another look at it the barrow getting the block from 14 at Rollins on the outside to cut it up inside but look at the explosion after he picks up that block and reach it.

And these guys are really, really quick.

They mark it at the 47.

That's where Johnson County has it first and ten 127 to go first quarter on a second.

And two, check that and the handoff actually Johnson keeps it and the stop by Sean Tobias Jennings There you see him number two.

You TV is right in the middle of everything there wrestling, running back to the ground there, making a statement, if you will.

Jennings has had a great postseason.

Scored a touchdown against Twitch County, 53 yard under a minute to go first quarter and the handoff.

Goes to number five, Kelvin Whitley and Whitley gets inside the 45 to about the 44 yard line stop by number 59 keeps quiet.

And that's the leader of that defense.

And of course, he does a great job of getting off blocks and finding the football keeps.

Christ leading tackler for the Lincoln County Red Devils.

Well, the crowd's into the game.

The players are in the game.

I mean, I think they're all loosened up now.

I don't think there's any more oohs and ahs about, you know, hey, this is a big place to play here.

You see some of the Red Devil fans that made the trip from Lincolnton, 30 seconds and counting in the first quarter, first and ten Johnson County at the 44 handoff left side at Duval and he's pretty much stopped as soon as he had the ball in his hands by number 52.

Jonathan Norman.

Big play there by Jonathan Norman.

This setting again trying to establish the tempo again.

I don't think it's quite been set either way just yet, but again, it all still in the early going both teams and like you said that you and your theory it could go out the window.

Now it's I think it's anybody's ball game.

I don't think that Johnson County is in all of being here.

I think that they know that they deserve to be here.

That's the end of the first quarter from the Georgia Dome.

And welcome back to the Georgia Dome as we get ready for the second quarter tie game, Lincoln County in Johnson County tied at seven.

D.J., your thoughts on the first quarter?

I think that the fact that both coaches did an excellent job of having their teams prepared to play bill Bonds as well as Larry Campbell.

There's you looking at him on the screen.

You know, these guys are key.

And coming into this game, we all said we were talking about going to pre game how Johnson County hadn't been here before so you expected them to be a little shocked and in and all but that hasn't been the fact that Coryell Johnson has done an excellent job of of making sure that his team is prepared to play and we're in for a treat.

I think Coach Campbell was known as saying before the game and before the season, hey, this is going to be a rebuilding year, guys.

We were basically playing with last year's JV team and yet this has been his most exciting season as.

A head coach, I think has been amazing.

This guy has been, you know, for 34 years, has been, of course, coaching.

And he's one of the all time best in and the state is number one as all time and wins number seven in the nation 386 victories that's a lot of wins and this guy has has been you know in this building playing a lot of times.

But he's done a great job.

He doesn't have a lot of veteran ballplayers on his team.

And again, the adversity at quarterback at the beginning of the season, that's Bill.

That's Bill's success for me.

All right.

We are ready for the start of the second quarter.

Johnson County ready to go on offense.

They had their huddle on the sideline.

So it's a second down and nine play for the Trojans.

And the Red Devil 43 yard line.

Johnson in the shotgun rolls.

Left fires has a man let's call my number two B.J.

Larry and Murray and approach him scoring the touchdown for Johnson County great concentration by Murray stands with the players that should have been picked off right through the hands of the defensive back.

But to win concentration by Murray on the little stutter in goal for the defensive back but keep it.

In concentration with the ball with the ball.

Getting it in his.

Own 43 yard touchdown play from Corneille Johnson to B.J.

Murray Spencer Huntley on to attempt the extra point This one for Johnson.

Doughty taking the lead 30 to 7 Here's Hartley's deck It's up and it's good.

And Johnson County, just like that, goes up 14 to 7.

I think you'll see that defensive back.

Daniel Wright has an opportunity to make a big play for his team there.

Didn't get fooled there as Reich went right through his hands and into the hands of Murray and into the end zone concentration.

There's Darrell Norman.

He has it.

He has it up.

No, I don't think so.

It's B.J.

Murray who comes down with it and he's in for six points here.

It is another great angle as our crew is every year has some fantastic shots for these games in the postseason.

Johnson's going to play, though, not too big of a shot.

He gets to see the play sitting down.

Can't beat that really.

So Johnson County up 14 seven in the early going.

You know the story we talked about Lincoln and Lincoln County and you know how, you know, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year.

JOHNSON County, on the other hand, they opened up the year losing 48, nothing to Dublin and then really up 12 straight.

Well, I'll tell you what.

You know, you talk about getting your attention early on.

Yeah.

Losing 48 to nothing.

The gift still coming back.

That's been phenomenal.

Johnson County, 11 plays 85 yards, eight four and a half minutes.

And Murray, of course, with.

The touchdown gift Spencer hardly to kick it off for Johnson County and the fans have.

Made the trip up from Wrightsville Georgia are very excited right now That's right all.

Twice the 2253 of them.

Yeah.

The whole town.

We were talking to some some guys from Wrightsville before the ball game.

D.J., I think they were telling you that.

I don't think there's anybody left.

I don't think so either.

But I'll tell you what, that's one person I'm sure is watching this game right now.

Probably the biggest star who ever came out of there, Herschel Walker.

I'm sure that he's talking to you.

All right.

Let's go downstairs to John O'Brien John.

Hey, guys.

The Johnson County fans are pumped up a 43 yard after a 54 yard strike for the first touchdown.

Cordell Johnson is on fire.

These guys are going crazy to get the lead.

Back to you guys.

All right.

Thank you, John.

So we get ready for the.

Johnson County kickoff after taking the lead 14 seven on a big play.

Now, Jim talking about Doug in that crowd.

They're coming up from Johnson County.

I mentioned you mentioned before we went down to John.

Herschel Walker.

Probably the greatest football player in the history of the county, certainly in this university, Georgia.

But I wonder he might be somewhere in this building checking it out.

But he's got to be proud of this Johnson County trophy.

And you might know that considering you played on that 1980 team with him.

We'll talk about that in just a little bit.

Course, Herschel Walker, the number two all time leading rusher in the state behind that this term in the Washington Wilkes and also the number two all time touchdown leader behind Darius Walker of Buford.

Of course, Walker now playing up at Notre Dame.

South Bend, Indiana.

Here's the kick off by Lee Brown taken by number three Tigers.

He'll feel it skipping tacklers and finally brought down around the 38 yard line.

We can count.

He'll take over first and ten.

Spencer Hartley actually made the tackle.

I'm still trying to understand the philosophy here on the on the kickoff of the little pooch kick there.

And I know that there are some dangerous return men for the Red Devils, but still giving them a short field to work with here.

That shot of Brandon Barton, the quarterback right there.

First, take a look at 38 yards.

What he had in motion is Norman.

The pick goes to Ryan Norman.

Left side runners are chasing after going to turn the corner to the 50 and now about the 48 yard line brought.

Down by number 53.

McConnell is king of Johnson County.

Bronte Norman showed some explosive speed there.

He ran about 55 yards to gain about eight.

And looking at it, he's run across the formation, takes the pitch.

He's got to run about 30 yards across formation before he can finally get it turned up.

FIELD At that, you have to be fast to be able to make that turn.

And finally brought down Rawlings was after I thought he was going to get him first and ten.

At the Johnson County 48 yard line for Lincoln County and we have a whistle.

Before this one gets started.

And this might be movement on Lincoln County.

And so this will go against Lincoln County.

Dead ball.

False start only offense.

Five yards.

First I'll tell you what, Lincoln County's quarterback, Brandon Barton is a good looking athlete.

They had him in tight end and wide receiver initially.

But I'll tell you what, I wouldn't know any differently because he he looked like a perfect specimen for the quarterback position.

I think a great athlete.

You got to be.

From Lincoln County with a first and 15 now at the 47 yard.

Line man in motion and the handoff goes to number nine, Norman.

And Norman gets to about the 42 yard line of Johnson County, big run by Norman.

What you just saw there is obviously what the double win can give you a lot of misdirection and a lot of trickery up in between the tackles.

Stop by number 51, Jeremy Martin and number 26, Rick Prosser, who we talked about in the open, second down.

And four, he thought the 42 yard line man in motion is Norman again gets hit and it's Darrell Norman going again to about the.

26 yard line stop by number four, Brad Jefferson.

Not a quickness on the Red Devils side of the ball there as you see that Norman takes the toss coming right at you using that speed and quickness to get outside and really nice gain there all out of the double wing formation.

Clock continues run coming up on 1020 left first second quarter.

One way out to the left for Lincoln County three in the backfield.

Handoff inside.

This is on TV as Jennings Jennings breaks close Touchdown shot tenuous Jennings wonderful play Ben Bonds Brendan Barton and.

Great execution Taking it up inside Nobody knew who had the football but Santini A spontaneous Jennings getting in the end zone and I guess after he got in his own people figured out that he had the ball.

But great execution, great ball, fake and just a great offensive play by the Red Devils and.

Bronte Norman on to attempt the extra point.

Looking for the tie and.

The kick is up.

And it is good so Lincoln.

County bounces back on this 27 yard run.

Don't mind, Sean.

Kevin Jennings again.

He doesn't get he doesn't get touched until he gets to the second level there but great execution here by Brandon Barton slip it up to him inside there and the nice running up inside by Tobias Jennings as you saw there.

Nobody touched him till he got to the second level.

But again, that's the double wing and at this point, the inverted wishbone and the perfect execution.

Great score.

I tell you what, that offensive line opened it up.

It looked like the parting of the sea right there.

I mean, it just ran right down the middle.

Of course, to run a double when you have to have some good offensive linemen, of course.

And they're led up front by the center, Trey Morris, along with McGill and Rhodes at the Guards and Bowels and Timpson and the tackles.

Some of the Red Devil fans that made the trip from Lincolnton on hand here at the Georgia Dome on this holiday weekend.

Look, if you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Day, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family there.

I didn't eat too much turkey.

I want to be ready.

You got to be ready to go for the big game.

Ron Norman to kick it off back deep for the Johnson County Trojans.

Number two, B.J.

Murray.

Here is the kid as a line drive kid taking my number 26, Rick Tibbetts blossomed and he is brought down immediately to special teams coverage by Lincoln County.

Number 65, Daniel Morris.

Big play.

Big, big, big special team play by Morris.

Dare I tell you what?

That's just as good, you know, as a turnover there.

When you go down and establish that kind of contact, you get everybody excited about playing the game.

So both teams have scored twice.

So here comes Johnson County, led by Cordell Johnson.

The way we're going right here is a guy who winds up with the football last year up.

He's going to come out victorious, turning out to be one of.

Those they have at first.

And ten at their own 29 yard line.

And the handoff goes to.

Calvin's swiftly, quickly trying to turn the corner.

He's finally knocked out of bounds about the 36 yard line.

Another nice look there as Josh kind of came out and somewhat of a spread formation.

But again, getting a nice running play there crossed formation as Whitley bringing the ball to the near sideline for a nice pickup.

So they market at the 36 yard line.

It'll be a second down and two for the Trojans.

Two wideouts, quick, one left, one to the right, and.

We have a whistle before the play.

Maybe some movement on Johnson County.

I tell you what, though, Jim, here in the early going.

So I think that the catalyst for both teams have been the play of the quarterbacks.

I think these guys remain poised and they've done the things that they needed to do to give them up good opportunity to get the ball into the endzone.

Instead, it's offsides on Lincoln County.

Dead ball encroachment by the defense five yards first down.

It's not surprising for Johnson County's quarterback.

Of course, the veteran Johnson.

But again, Brandon Barton.

You know him, the guy that.

Was a converted wide receiver just before the start of the season playing so well.

So it's a first down now for Johnson County at the 41 yard line.

Johnson, your quarterback.

Facing off, looks down.

He has a man hits Rawlings but thrown over his head, defended by number nine, Ron Norman.

Ron Norman did a great job of having excellent position on the big playmaker Cedric Rawlins from Johnson County.

Rawlins averages a nearly 26 yards per reception and with that I'm sure that game that demanded the respect that Monty Norman head.

Coach and see coach Larry Campbell walking the sidelines on a second and ten for Johnson.

County down the field a little checked off and now the pick and rolls right in trouble.

Johnson turns left, goes back the other way up the middle, and gets over the 45 to about.

The 46 stop.

By number two Sean Tobias Jennings.

Good thing that the Red Devils a to pressure their hands.

Quarterback Johnson running for his life because he had his big play maker across the middle there Rawlins wide open but again, the pressure the great pressure by the defense there didn't allow him to stand up and see his target.

And there you see Sean Taylor is Jennings.

Five foot 11 inch, £210 senior for Lincoln County on the.

36 Johnson in the shotgun, Johnson.

Goes left in trouble and down he goes at about the 39 yard line blocked down by JT it's.

Jones number five good play by.

Jones and that play was made possible by the leader of that defense number 55.

KC Christ was the first one in the backfield.

Take another look there.

Cried up inside, forcing the issue here.

He has to get half of that said.

Absolutely blocked running in this first stat first half yeah that seems to be so special Grant Norman is back.

Deep partner punch it away Gordon gets it at the 17 Norman look to the left side Pass the 25 Now look for the sideline to go He's up the 45, 58, 4035 final ball down at the 30 yard line.

And the kicker Spencer Hall makes his second tackle the ball.

Tell you what the key to this return is the beautiful execution of the wall being set up on the left side of the field there by the Red Devils.

Great blocking, great play by the special teams.

And you see him setting it up, setting a wall up before he takes his final approach to the outside.

But everything is being set up right in front of him, great blocking along the left sideline there.

And that is the reason why he was able to get such a wonderful return.

Just like they teach it in practice.

And I'm sure Coach Campbell is happy at 59 yard return.

Takes the Red Devils to the 28 yard line of Johnson County and off to Tyler Beal.

And Beal picks up a couple, he gets up to about the 23 yard line of Johnson County.

I guess that also when we talk about why Johnson County is kicking, I guess the explosiveness of their return shows you or gives you an explanation of why they don't want to kick the ball deep to the return man from from Lincoln County.

They market at the 24 that's what will be second and six for Lincoln County.

Brandon Barton is your quarterback.

He's a junior, then 65 to 25.

So you can see the field very.

Well from his vantage point at the quarterback.

There you see a good shot, Fred.

And the handoff to.

Tyler Beal Hill follows his left tackle and he's brought down by number 53.

Nicolas King Red Devils are continuing to give the ball to the full back up inside.

We noticed the last time they scored, there's a long lay up inside to Octavius Jennings, but they're continuing that with Tyler Beal up inside.

Until Johnson County does something to stop it.

Under seven.

And a half to go.

And it's now at the 17 yard line first and ten for Lincoln man in.

Motion is Norman Martin keeps this one looks like a busted play and he's brought down by Octavius Prosser number 26 also in the play as number 54, Philip Whitley.

There you see him.

Nice play there.

Nice pressure up front by the defensive front for the Trojans from Johnson County as a good look at number 26, Rick Prosser, one of the leaders there, leading tacklers for that Johnson kind of defense.

So a.

Loss on the play.

Turns into a second down and 11 for Lincoln County at.

The 17 in motion.

Norman he gets to play it's the piano Norman and Norman is brought.

Down at about the 16 yard line, a gain of about one for Norman.

Nice play by the defender to get off of the block there to string it out so that he didn't give the running back an opportunity to get the corner and.

Look at the height here, six five.

You see him standing over.

Good looking and he's not a skinny guy.

He's a he's a tall kid, but he's put together he's about £225.

Has to be on the basketball team, no doubt.

Reminds me of a one time Arkansas quarterback that's now playing receiver with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Is Barton under center at the 16.

Yard line on third and eight?

Barton drops back looks fires right side has a man touchdown wanted Norman and the Jersey other great pass by Brandon Barton That was a rope and he threw that ball across the field there Now that's a tough pass to throw but.

Again I tell you, this guy never ceases to amaze me.

He's doing an excellent job here for a fill in quarterback.

16 yard touchdown pass Brandon Barton to run Take Norman.

And now Norman takes a breather and says, Oh, wait, I got to kick the extra points.

Snaps good, holds.

Good, picks up and it's good it's 2114.

Lincoln County at 539 to go till halftime here and the dome.

All right.

Take a look at him.

I mean, this guy again, you're talking about a guy that was converted at the beginning of the season.

But you can't look at this play and tell me that this guy is an A quarterback.

Great set and throw, nice execution.

Take another look at that.

Good feet standing tall ball up high Good release right on the money.

Great play.

Norman's had a nice post-season.

I know he had two touchdowns against Gordon Lee and he also had an interception in that game against Twix County in the quarterfinals.

So a great postseason for Ron Norman as Lincoln County has the lead.

2114 And for Coach Campbell, we talked about.

Ho hum.

Oh, exactly, exactly.

But again, I'm sure that all of that is that's not a word on the sideline right now, because they're in the fight of their lives and they understand that this Johnson County team is not going to be intimidated and they have to go out and somehow get to stop.

Ronnie Norman to kick it off for Lincoln County, back deep for Johnson County number two, B.J.

Murray.

Berry possesses excellent speed and quickness there.

And I know that the Red Devils don't want to kick the ball to him.

So we'll see how this thing ends up.

And this one is taken at the four.

Yard line by B.J.

Murray.

Third, third in the 15 Murray breaks a tackle finally brought down.

At the 19 yard line by number four, Franklin Jones, the.

Junior for the rebels.

And the answer to that, of course, pesky criticism, Carol, and the guy getting all those red hats around the ball and did a good job of covering.

And there is Lincoln County scoring drive, five plays 28 yards, just under 3 minutes.

And of course, Norman with the touchdown on the 16 yard touchdown pass Let's go 2114 Lincoln County over Johnson County.

Great offensive battle as we said from the open first at 1019 Johnson in trouble in trouble.

Again exchange now a fumble and it's picked up another one Bradley John good looking Danny will have it first and ten at.

The Johnson County five.

Yard line you like for your quarterback to be elusive and have the great athletic ability but sometimes you get penalized.

Here's a look at that last play Johnson has the great ability to spin out of trouble two or three times here.

I think the last time he gets the ankle caught and the turf and you see the turnover come out there.

And the pick up by Franklin Jones, the Hip by Jeffrey Porter.

Check this out.

And number 53 is down for Lincoln County.

That's Chase McGill.

Interesting point here with Johnson down if he's not able to come back.

Cedric Rawlins, as you see, Johnson, the starting quarterback down on the turf right there.

But Cedric, the outstanding receiver for Johnson County, also doubles as a quarterback.

He's a he's just as dangerous, if not more dangerous.

Jeffrey Porter's up and healthy.

Run it off the field there for the Red Devils and now Johnson Caudill Johnson appears to be up and okay.

It looks like he might have turned that thing as he went down.

So Lincoln County with great position at the five yard line of Johnson County and a chance to take a 14 point lead.

This is certainly the break that Larry Campbell has been looking for for his Red Devils.

We might be able to get a report from John O'Brien, see how he's doing down there.

Meantime, first and goal for the Red Devils.

They're the three man in the backfield and the handoff straight up the gut.

And that's number seven.

Darryl Norman and Norman takes it to about the two yard line pick up a three it'll be second and goal.

Nice fundamental tackle by Rick Prosser with Johnson County there to keep the running back out of the end zone.

Miles marked at about the one and a half yard line.

The Lincoln County players trying to get their crowd into it.

Great coach, great there by Brandon Barton the quarterback formation that handoff and.

That's Darrell Norman who gets to the one yard line so will be a third and.

Goal in the game.

Take a look at the defensive front here.

But Johnson County, they're playing strong up inside.

They're getting good penetration there could finish there by Philip Whitley They had.

A little battle going on in the trenches.

This is where you find out what you're made out of when you're down in your back's against Golden Man, Johnson County.

It's an important goal.

Quarterbacks Nick Barton on second effort Touchdown We can count as just a man on man.

Red Devils able to penetrate that defensive line of Johnson counting to get into the end zone to give the quarterback an opportunity to go ahead and sneak it right in.

Barton found his center, Trey Morris and his offensive guard, Chase McGill, right in the end zone for one that says it all, doesn't it?

It says a lot, right?

Hey Norman on to attempt the extra point 2714 Lincoln County.

And that snap is going to look to run this one him and he does but it's a two point conversion.

Norman is set for.

Lincoln County and Lincoln County now has a 29 to.

14 lead.

What a playmaker.

All right.

Here's a chance for you to see that nice push up front by the Red Devils offensive line and the sneak by the quarterback.

Now, meantime, here's the bad snap and Norman takes it.

You can do no wrong.

It's also nice to have a great athlete in Norman.

As your kicker.

You said that we've called his name a number of times already here in the early going.

So Lincoln County was trying to go up 14 once.

So they make it 15 two plays five yards course off the the fumble by Johnson County it only took a minute 15 and Barton with the sneak Ronnie Norman there you see him He's going to kick it off and of course counting all the players on the field make sure we only have 11.

That's right.

Now.

Be interesting to see if Johnson's going to take the field in the quarterback again.

I know he went down with the ankle injury here on the last possession.

BJ Murray back deep to receive for Johnson County and here's the kick and it's Murray from.

The 510 1520 Murray still on his feet gets to.

About the 25 yard line.

That's where Johnson County will take over first and ten.

Seven Rawlings is going to go ahead and take the place.

Johnson in the lineup, Cordell Johnson is still nursing that ankle sprain on the sideline.

Hopefully we'll get a report on him in just a little bit.

But Cedric Rawlings is no slouch.

He has been quite impressive.

He's been called upon to play the position and has played it well.

All right.

Let's go downstairs to John O'Brien.

John.

Yeah, guys have got an update on Cordell Johnson.

I heard him say on the sideline that he thinks he's going to play.

There was obvious pain as they took his sock off.

I notice there was another ankle brace which could signify another injury, a previous injury.

So but I did hear him say he's going to play.

All right.

Thanks.

John Rawlings on The Keeper and he picks up maybe a yard on that play.

Interesting as just kind of comes out with spread offense, trying to take advantage of the athleticism of Rawlings and Ram the Keeper up inside.

And Rawlings was stopped on the play by number 59 keys cry.

And that's exactly what John was talking about right there getting wrapped up his ankle is Johnson so.

What times have certainly changed here but the ankle braces and on tape underneath there I mean having two braces back in our day.

Four of nine today, 126 at two touchdowns for Johnson second and nine Rawlings under center Rawlings.

And the handoff goes to number 30.

Stacey Devereaux, he's the junior running back for Johnson County.

Oh, Cedrick Rawlings, when he was a quarterback throughout the season, he was six of 14 for 169 of two touchdowns.

So he has the experience back there as a quarterback.

SOP on the last play by Julius Jones.

It's kind of tricky here when you watch this, you know, watch these teams do two teams play right now.

I don't know if it's the pressure of the defensive line of Jonathan Norman and Chase McGill up front with the Red Devils, or is it the lack of protection on the offensive side?

242 And counting until halftime and a handoff inside.

And that's Stacey Devera again.

And you see Rawlings, you can see the timing's a little off because of Rawlings being quarterback here for the first time during the game.

This guy stumbled and still was able to get four yards, though luckily as it is, four, five, six yards, they're on a just a play.

They shouldn't have gotten a yard.

But once again, you talk about as you take a good look at Robbins, Dario, he's a guy that, you know, averaging 26 yards per reception.

He's a guy that's very versatile and does a great job.

Even on the defensive side.

I think he's one of the leaders as far as interceptions, but he's he's he's a all around great athlete.

So as soon as.

I had D.J.

earlier, we had a chance to talk to Coach Bill Barnes about what was special about this year's football team.

We've had some good teams, a lot of really good players.

I think the most important combination of the things that this football team has just chemistry.

And we've had a good year.

We've played for the state title before, but I think the chemistry of this football team kind of is indicative of what what they've meant to our community.

That's Coach Bonds.

There's your punt by Spencer Hartley back deep.

There's Ron Tate, Norman and Norman is on his own 25 now, looks up field and turns it up gets to about the 34 yard line.

And that's where Lincoln County will start first and ten with 217 to go till halftime.

Coach Bonds has been at Johnson County for ten years and his record at Johnson County 81 and 37, his career record overall 107 and 46.

And by the way, he attended the Landry University on the other side line, of course, like Larry Campbell was a UGA grad go Dallas had a funny feeling I'd hear that once today.

An interesting note too, about Bonds.

He was saying that his team doesn't have the depth in many positions to give players time to recuperate.

You know, he says he only has seven kids who never come off the field.

He's got seven players that play offensively and defensively.

That's that's a tough.

Job and is going to be tough and especially you trailing now 29 to 14 here.

And, you know, it's not going to get any better.

Certainly in the latter quarters.

They're, you know, into the third and into the fourth quarter that's going to that's going to definitely tell the tale.

Very successful coach there.

This guy's number seven nationally, 380 is a 286 three.

Hundred and three, 286, 100.

And 86 victory.

That's a lot of football games, a lot of wins for one coach.

Total Yards and this one almost balanced Johnson County with 183 Lincoln County won 69 and about to pick up some more on first and ten man in motion is Norman inside.

Handoff there's Rob Tate Norman Norman breaks at three 5045 for Norman to go the distance 20 yard line 5010 Norman one quick move now fumbles the football in the five at Johnson County has it what a break for the Johnson control.

Norman tried to think out that last defender instead dropped the football and it's Prosser coming up with the big play.

Rick Prosser, number 26.

Here it is again.

He breaks out to the outside there.

Looked like he's going to go out in open field.

Great effort there.

Look at the defensive back.

Still staying with the play.

Number 24, John Linder causing the fumble in Johnson County, getting the.

Ball back.

So Norman takes it 61 yards, loses it at the five yard line and Johnson County will now take over first and ten at their own five yard line with 2 minutes, 3 seconds to go.

A lot of credit have to be given to the defensive back.

John Linder, to chase that ball down and called for someone he can.

And Rawlins you quarterback him for the injured Johnson who's on the sidelines Rawlins fumbles the snap and now it's picked up by number 30, Stacie Navarro and Navarro gets him a little out of trouble, picks up maybe a couple.

It'll be second and eight, 83.

You know, I know it's still early, but I think it would have been safe to say that that would have been a back breaking score there if the Red Devils were able to Johnson was able to get that ball into the end zone.

They're here already trailing 1429.

And looks like Johnson's going to work his way back into the ballgame.

As you look at head coach Bill Bonds, you can interesting note about number 30, Stacey Deverell on Johnson County who just carried that ball.

Stacy's father played on the 1979 championship team with Herschel Walker and Chaz Tanner, number 56, the offensive guard for Johnson County.

His father also played on that 1979 team.

And so it's a little history going on there in the Devera and Tanner family.

And of course, Chaz's Cousin Russ Tanner plays at UGA.

Right.

And then before the game today, Harold Turner told Chaz, Terry said, Son, enjoy the moment.

You don't know how precious this really is right now.

Indy second at eight four Johnson County at their own seven yard.

Line Cordell Johnson back in the game for the Trojans on the handoff goes to Jarvis quickly and.

Whitley gets to about the 13 yard line and Whitley was brought down.

By number.

Five just Jones with some help from number four.

Franklin Jones.

You know, I think that this drive by Johnson County will definitely tell the tale of next the next half of the second half now being ready to play because again, backed up and still not a lot of time left before the half is up.

But again, showing poise and showing the perseverance to come drive from deep down in their own territory and to run this clock out will be very, very key.

Now, if they get a score, they'll be just gravy.

Earlier we had a chance to ask Georgia's all time winningest coach, Larry Campbell, about spending 35 years at one school.

Well, there's no question needed a very special place when it comes to football, this small town.

A lot of football town is centered around football and athletics and a very small rural setting on the lake.

And I couldn't ask for a better place to live.

It's just been an ebb and coach who makes so many decisions at colleges in this regard.

So what you do when you multiply, say, ten year times, 35 hours, 350 people met all their lives.

So that long after you know how hard it gets, but I'll always make them home.

Head coach Lowery Campbell of Lincoln County, Johnson County with the ball third and two Johnson.

And the handoff to Clovis rookie And there was a loose ball down there and.

Lincoln County says they.

Have it and they do.

That's not good.

That's not good for Johnson County, obviously.

Getting a break by, recovering a fumble.

On a long run.

Down there by Johnson, but giving it right back to the Red Devils.

Take another look at that last play.

Johnson with the handoff.

Nothing spectacular there.

No big hit to the ball just popped out of there.

Let's take another.

Number, 53, Chase McGill.

Watch him jump on the loose ball right here.

Right there.

So a first and ten for Lincoln County at the Johnson County.

15 yard line.

Brandon Barton's the quarterback Man in motion is he gets the pitch now he looks downfield and possibly going to throw this one down.

Norman could not find a receiver.

Now he's trying to break loose.

Now he's back at his own 30.

Norman still on the loose looking downfield.

Spin, move.

And finally brought.

Down at the 18 yard line.

I think Norman covered about 60 yards that play.

A lot of running and tell you when you got athletes like that Doug they can really elusive and they have a lot of speed and quickness you get plays like that broken plays that sometimes come up positive and in this case in lots of.

Yards.

He was finally brought down by John Linder and Jeremy Martin.

There's a flag on the plane is going to go against Lincoln County as you watch this one, he goes left and he goes right.

Then he says, well, I'm going to go back the other way up the middle and okay, that's green screen and they get backed up big time back to the 41 yard line.

There's Brandon Barton, the quarterback, got trips to the.

Left for Lincoln County on a first and 35.

Pardon the pass to Norman.

That's Daryl Norman.

And Daryl Norman is runs out of bounds at about the 32 yard line.

Really impressed by these Norman boys Darryl Norman, who missed seven as well as ran to number nine.

These guys are loose, very good in open field and certainly excellent weapons to have on your offensive football team.

Interesting how they're all numbered.

I mean, Darryl Norman, number seven.

Ricardo Norman, number number eight from Tate Norman number nine.

I mean, they have it all in order here right now, second and 27 as they picked up.

Eight on that last play.

Take it one thing at a time.

This body.

In the shotgun.

Looks downfield, has a man in the end zone and it's overthrown.

Attempt it for Alex Bradford.

Well Judy wide receiver.

Good looking play there as he's trying to hit his receiver over the top.

Alex Bradford has a look at the quarterback looking over top throwing to the post they're just a little far away.

You saw the third in 27/2 guess it helps being six five as a quarterback.

Yes.

It helps you quarterback a little bit up there at Georgia.

And of course, that's well.

I want six, five so I can tell this guy has it having fun.

He can see the field from the 33 Barton back to pass again looking down to it again has a man and this time.

Overshoots Alex Bradford again down near the five yard.

Line that's a good decision to overthrow that because he was double club Bradford was they must leave something down there because they keep going back to him in the post but he was double Culver at that time.

So they regroup and try it again and it looks like they're going to go for it on fourth and 27.

How big would it be for Lincoln County to get another score in here before the half?

That would be big.

So here it is, a fourth and 27.

At the 33.

Barton in the shotgun and Barton looks downfield.

Has a man in the corner and it's Norman grabs him over the top and that's a touchdown.

There's also a flag thrown on the play.

Might be some interference.

And we're just talking about the playmakers that these Norman kids are in.

Here is number nine run a great play to go up and over the defensive back and take the ball away for what we don't know just yet, because they caught it.

Against an offensive interference against number eight.

Ricardo Norman down.

In the corner for Ricardo and PJ Murray with him.

Step for step.

You know what?

You can't kick it up.

Seven players to make plays like that.

Being aggressive, going up in here.

Now, you know, if you do that ten times, I would have him do the same thing to make it a play.

Play could have gone either way, as you saw on the replay.

So it's just that's football games are all about, you know, you have a lot of those plays.

Here's referee Jim McCloud and no offense pass interference.

By the offense laser down it gets the crowd to the ball goes over.

So that was a fourth and 27.

So now Johnson County takes over since that's a loss of down for Lincoln County, really a big turn of events because now Johnson County gets the ball at the 47.

And with 39 seconds to go now, no, they have to time out so they could work this thing downfield.

They could, in fact, Johnson County is able to get a score and that'd be a nice 14 point swing to the good for Johnson County.

So first and ten at their own 47 yard line.

And now I think Johnson County wants to talk it over there.

You see Bill Bonds, the head coach for Johnson County.

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On Georgia Public Broadcasting.

To show your support, simply visit our website at WW dot GB dot org.

It's totally secure simple to use and takes just 2 minutes and thank you for supporting Georgia Public Broadcasting and you hear it every year you come down here the Georgia Dome there you see some fans getting some of their own video shots.

But you hear it all the time from the fans, from the coaches, from the from the even the referees.

I mean, they're back.

They have, you know, they're taping the games at home and I'm catching catching these things afterwards.

I mean, everybody loves seeing these games on Georgia Public Broadcasting because it doesn't matter what part of Georgia your school comes from, you'll be able to pick up the broadcast and.

All right, here we go.

Johnson County on the first and 10th round, 47 yard line.

Johnson with a screen pass and it's dropped incomplete in ten for number four.

Brad Jefferson looked like he had a little bit much, much a little bit too much mustard there, as Johnson has done a great job with his touch.

But threw a fastball out there that Jefferson couldn't handle.

So 35 seconds left as we check out the replay again.

Jefferson's only about six or seven yards away from the quarterback Johnson there.

So imagine that bullet coming.

Out 35 seconds till halftime.

Both fans will take the field and give us a great halftime show.

Here's Johnson.

Rose left in trouble and down he great defensive play by Keith Bright the junior linebacker That's about the third, second and.

Third big play that he's made in the first half.

Here's another look at him.

He's getting great penetration there coming through on the blitz get getting getting quarterback in the backfield for Los.

So another time out by Johnson County with 18 seconds to go till halftime.

But you try to throw a Hail Mary would you just go ahead and run the clock out and go in and regroup.

Third and might want to try a long one.

Oh, I think I'll take a shot too.

Why not?

Only 18 seconds to go, right?

Yep.

It's Johnson County in that in the quarterfinals.

Beat Bremen 1714 close game.

So I mean they have some experience in the in close games if this remains a close game as we head down to the final seconds of the second half.

In the meantime, Lincoln County here, they had some big wins in the playoffs, including the quarter finals where they shut out twigs 22 zip.

So experience could help Johnson County in that close game towards the end.

And certainly as long as that quarterback number 15, Johnson, is healthy, you know, they have a shot.

And they have it at their own 39 yard line, again, a third and 18 for the Trojans.

Trips to the right on this third and 18.

So I think they will try to go on this one.

They just here go Cordell Johnson.

And here's the pitch.

So number four, Grant Jefferson tried to tackle.

And gets to about the 49 yard line.

So all the attention was on trips, right.

But yet Jefferson takes the pitch left and time starts to run down here in the first half.

And that is it.

We are at halftime here at the Georgia Dome, the single-A football semifinal.

Lincoln County leads Johnson County 29 to 14.

As you look at some of the fans who enjoyed this big first half, they all made the long trip from Lincolnton and also from Wrightsville to stay under the dome in the nice warm weather of the Georgia Dome.

These teams certainly didn't do anything to disappoint them here in the first half.

Exciting football game.

There you see the crowd on hand at 2914 and then you see the bands getting ready to take the field here at halftime.

Well, let's go downstairs to John O'Brien, job.

And Coach Campbell, 29 to 14.

Excellent offense.

How did you guys prepare for this game?

Well, first of all, we know that not playing in play, but by then, I'm not going to throw the football in, you know, preparation, it wasn't any different.

What we do every week.

With the play what are you going to tell your boys at halftime?

Well, just go back in and try to get them settled down.

You know, it felt like this football had a difference of opinion on the touchdown right there.

We got to sell them down, come out and play.

All right.

Well, good luck in the second half.

Good and.

Back.

All right.

All right.

Thank you, John.

Halftime show is about to here at the Georgia Dome.

We'll take a break.

Lake County leads it over.

Johnson County, 29 to 14.

Halftime festivities are underway here at the Georgia Dome.

Lincoln County leading at 29 to 14.

The Lincoln County Red Devil Pride Marching Band is on the field.

They received a total of two excellent rating and six superior ratings at the Lake Hartwell Marching Festival and the Midland Valley Mustang Classic Band Competition.

In 2005.

Let's listen to the 55 band members listen.

Led by band director Jasper Dews and I, the Lincoln County and Red Devil Pride Marching Band.

Let's go downstairs to John O'Brien.

John.

Hey, thanks, guys.

I'm I'm sitting here with Jasper Dukes, the Lincoln County band director.

And Jasper, you just performed Talk talk about your awards for this year.

Okay.

Well, we participated with two best to one festival in a competition.

Competition, we got bass drum major bass drum line and excellent reading of the festival we participated in.

We received all superior rating and an excellent drum line to be very proud of the students and their accomplishments.

And how long have you been the band director in Lincoln?

This is my fourth year at Lincoln County.

And how do you guys prepare for a game?

Do you guys have any rituals or any funny things you do before coming down the field?

I usually kind of get on to the kids, them laughing, you know, they always say get them high and whatever, but it usually work.

They usually do a pretty good job once they get their mind on what they're here to do play.

All right.

Well, thank you.

Hey, back to you guys upstairs.

All right.

Thanks, John.

We're going to take a time out here at the Georgia Dome.

It's halftime.

Lincoln County Legion 2914 over Johnson County.

Welcome back to the Georgia Dome.

It's halftime.

Lincoln County leads Johnson County 29 to 14.

You are looking at the marching trojan fans directed by band director Roger Etheridge, the drum major, and Elke Holland.

Band members total 37.

They're performance is the seventies show and to the marching Trojans let's go downstairs to John O'Brien John.

Hey, guys, I'm here with Roger Etheridge, the band director for the Johnson County.

And guess or excuse me, Roger, our first time at the Georgia Dome for your kids.

It's first time in school history that we've been here.

The whole feels great.

These kids are excited and I am, too.

How do you guys prepare for an event like this?

Oh, no.

We just this week, we pretty much left everything, just like always.

We didn't want to jinx anything because everything's worked so far this year for us, so we just kept everything the same.

And what about your competitions this year?

Have they been this year?

We went to competition.

We made excellence, all our competition, but bands, mostly seventh and eighth graders.

Last year we were 20.

This year we're at 40.

So I got 20 beginners.

Half the band is beginners basically.

Well, thank you.

Was very entertaining performance and good luck in the second half.

Well, thank you very much.

We'll go.

Trojans.

Back to you guys.

All right.

Thanks, John.

So great job by both bands here at the half Lincoln County leading at 2914 D.J Jones and great football game.

Here are the highlights from the first half.

And Lincoln County gets underway first Brandon Barton this quick pass to Alex Bradford.

Great job of stand up and starting to striking in and getting the ball in for the first score.

Tonight Johnson County came right back though Cordell Johnson the quarterback there you see him to Brad Jefferson on this play.

And he just got the ball into the hands of the play.

Maker and he outran the defense all the way down the sidelines to the end zone.

Big play for Johnson County.

And they came right back.

Cordell Johnson on this play in the shotgun finds B.J.

Murray.

And off the gym dodged a bullet there.

Darrell Norman should have had the pick again.

B.J., get.

Great concentration and give him a good.

Score.

Lincoln County down by seven, but not for long.

Here's Shaun Tobias.

Jennings taking that little Billy play up inside from Brandon and of course, racing right down the middle of the field.

And Barton back looks finds has Norman touchdown.

You know for a guy who didn't throw a lot he looked awfully good on that play.

And then finally it's Barton sneaking in.

Just pure athleticism and strength to get it in the end zone.

And so it's 2914 Lincoln County.

Let's go downstairs to John.

John Hey, guys.

I'm down here with Coach Burns, coach down 15.

But hey, this is a high scoring game and you have a dangerous offense.

What you tell your kids at halftime.

Well we just we get the ball fortunately in the second half start off and we just need to keep that playing time, 24 minutes, a lot of time.

And our kids have got a lot of character and we've been in this position before.

So, you know, it's not an unfamiliar thing.

We've got play a little bit better on defense and Lincoln County sure can run the football and we just got to tighten up a little bit.

Our kids are given a lot of effort and we got to play a little bit better.

And good luck, coach.

I have great happy.

Thanks.

All right.

Thank you, John.

The second half kickoff coming up between Lincoln County and Johnson County.

Red Devils lead at 29.

Fort Pitt crowd here at the Georgia Dome.

Lincoln County leads at 29, 14 at the half.

Let's take a look at the first half statistics on both teams for the Red Devils and, of course, for the Trojans.

And this has been a big first half for both teams.

Look at that was rushing yards and.

It jumps right out at you.

Of course, a great job there.

Of course, by running back by committee, you know, four or five running backs, they're all contributing to 239 yards.

Two, of course, the Eagles actually 202 yards rushing, 239 yards total, but a great side of them on passing on the side of Johnson Cannon.

Great job as far as 126 yards.

They're led by Cordell Johnson.

And Rondae Prunty.

Norman having a big game for Lincoln County four carries 91 yards and a touchdown and that man has to be happy.

He does.

Of course, this guy's a winner.

I mean, that's all he knows is winning in that game, regardless of what you say.

It might be a cliche.

This guy has been down that road before and he just expects to win.

Bronte Norman set to kick it off for Lincoln County now going right to left on our screen and back deep to receive is B.J.

Murray.

This ball's actually taken off front at the 70 yard line and this is number 32.

Look at him go Harvey Harris.

And Harris is going to go the distance.

Touchdown!

Harvey Harris for Johnson Jeremy.

What a play by the southpaw.

But that's what you had to do to hit Johnson right back into this game he's worried about.

Obviously, Lincoln County is going to be back.

It's going to give but doesn't count.

It with a great return here by Harris.

Puts him right back in the ballgame and so now Johnson County gets ready to kick off to Lincoln County.

And if that's a sign of things to come, well.

They've been kicking it on all day.

So we know that they're not going to kick it back deep to the dangerous deep threat.

Houston.

And here's another look at the run by Harvey.

Nothing spectacular.

Just a great effort there.

And again, just running today like, you know what?

You notice most of the return kicks always end up with the return man, either dropping the ball and stopping and breaking down the concentration of the cover guys.

That's usually what happens when you see a return guy drop.

The ball on the ground.

Okay, Spencer Hartley to kick off.

And it looks like we're going to see another one of those kicks that you've been talking about, Jack, the kick.

There's Harvey Harris, an 85 yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Something to talk about for the sophomore over the next couple of years.

And here's his kick and he'll do it at the 44.

Fair catches ball by Tony Wells the offensive lineman.

He also plays defensive line for Lincoln County.

And there's Harris and he deserves a little break after that one.

He does here's Barton's numbers so far three of five for 37 yards, two touchdowns.

He's also scored one on the ground.

Good game for Brandon Barton as.

They set up.

Now at the 45 yard line first and ten Lincoln County ten man in motion is Norman handoff up the middle is to Tobias Jennings.

And Jennings crosses midfield and gets to about the 49 yard line of Johnson County.

When you talk about the 202 yards rushing that Lincoln County had in the first half that of play up inside to Sean Tobias Jennings accounted for about 4850 yards of that in the early going.

So they're going to keep to their game here, running it up inside until Johnson County is able to stop him.

So it'll be a second down and four at the Johnson County, 49 yard line.

Barton, your quarterback, Norman, takes the pitch.

He was the man in motion.

45, gets down to about the 40 yard line.

And that's a first down for Lincoln County.

You know, every now and then, you get to see a running back when he takes a toss, sweeping it, make you hold your breath.

But no, Darrell Norman does a great job.

He's so elusive and he has such great body control that, you know, when they put on that toss from Barton, you almost holding your breath because it looked like he was going to take it.

The distance.

So a first and ten at the 40 yard line for Lincoln County, they're on the move.

What did you say earlier about the team with the ball right?

Yes, that's what it's looking like.

Barton inside had a fumble and Johnson County has it.

Justin Lindsay, number 61, picked up the loose ball.

There he is.

Let's take a look at it.

There is a somewhat of a cross, but played there, changed direction.

They got kind of tied up in there.

Really, really sloppy there.

And ball's on the ground and Johnson kind of gets it right back.

It's Darrell Norman and he got the handoff, actually bumped into his own man, number 63, Robert Viles.

And the ball became loose and Johnson County has it.

So they have it first and ten at their own 39 yard line.

Cordell Johnson.

Your quarterback and a double reverse here a little bit.

PJ Murray, left side.

And there's a flag on the play as Murray is knocked of bounds.

Coach Bonds keep an excitement in the game here starting off with the reverse, double, reverse.

Got that trickery.

Going?

Yes.

And B.J.

Murray, by the way, only five foot seven, £160.

But boy, is he quick now, keep that double reverse in the back of your mind now, because, you know, there is another element off of that is the pass.

And there you see it.

But it was a hold number, 51 Johnson County.

There you saw it got ten yards from the spot of the foul first down game and 51 is Jeremy Martin for Johnson County.

Speaking of Jeremy, he might be the only division one prospect on the field today.

So they're backed up to their own 28 yard line first and 21 for Johnson County and the handoff to Calvert's Whitley and Whitley.

A stop immediately by a very tough Lincoln County defense.

Let me make myself clear on that.

Jeremy Martin is the only division one prospect on the field.

However, I think that from what I've seen today, there should be more, especially with those elusive backs that are playing on both sides of the ball.

Second and 20 and the 29 yard line for Johnson County Johnson handoff left side Kelvin quickly quickly looks to turn the corner gets the 40 and knocked down about the 42 yard line good run by Kelvin Whitley it's.

Going to be real important.

I note that Coach Bond said that to seven his kids don't even come off the field.

Now, here it is.

You know, into the third quarter, into the fourth quarter, how much of a factor would that fatigue element come into play with Johnson County?

That could be a big key as we get into the fourth quarter.

Red Devil fans so far happy about this one and the folks from Lincolnton making the trip to downtown Atlanta on this big holiday weekend, third and five in the 42 Johnson throws right.

Looks down field has a man fires and just out of the.

Stretched arms of Brad Jefferson Jefferson tried to die for it but it was just thrown too far down field.

Brad Jefferson did an excellent job coming out of the backfield.

As you take a look there, come releasing right down the seam nobody was on him just overthrown there by the quarterback know Johnson would love to have that one back.

So that brings up a fourth and five and Johnson County well punt it away Spencer Hartley to do the punting duties want Norman back deep for Lincoln County he wears number nine Here's the punt by Hartley Just gets it.

Away Norman from his own 22 to the 2530 Norman 3540 And gets to about the.

42 yard line Great return by Norman and special teams stop led by number 54.

Philip Whitley I.

Tell you what, just really impressed with the explosiveness of these skill position players from Lincoln County.

I'll tell you, just all these Norman guys, I know, they're not related from everything I understand, but these guys are all explosive.

Well, the Norman Trio definitely having a good time today, first and ten at the 42 yard line for Lincoln County.

Here's Darrel going on inside handoff and Norman crosses midfield and gets to the Johnson County 46 yard line stop by number 51 Jeremy Martin.

Take a look at this play here.

And here's another one of these runs here.

Check out this misdirection, giving the ball back to Darrell Norman.

Look at the body control and look at it.

Look at how he was able to help himself in space.

Big guard out there, number 63, doing a great job as well Robert Robert fouls.

And another first and ten for Lincoln County now at the 46 yard line of Johnson County and in motion in the backfield and hand off to Tyler Beale number three the junior Tyler 591 95.

Again small but has a lot of speed.

Absolutely.

And that seems to be you know what?

You know, the gist of today, a lot of small, quick skill guys in this game and you know, that might even have something to do with maybe not many big schools are looking at these kids, but these guys are really impressive.

Rick Davis Prosser made the stop on defense for Johnson County.

There you see Brandon Barden, the quarterback for Lincoln County, second and seven.

And the handoff to Norman.

And he's in big time trouble.

That's Ricardo Norman.

Number eight, stop by number 53.

McCall is king for Johnson County.

Take another look at that great effort here by McCarthy's king, deciding that he's going to make a play right now to help his team.

And you can see that great play up inside by King.

There you see his numbers on the season.

Big season for Nicholas King, leading the defense for the Trojans, third and ten for Lincoln County after 46 yard line.

Barton three step drop fires left side has a man that is Darrell Norman.

And Norman gets to about the 36 yard line.

It's going to be close and it looks like he might have a first down.

Well, I tell you what, Norman, take a look at this.

He's going to break the ankles of kill this Whitley here.

But we talked about the elusiveness and of course, watch discipline.

Wow, that's big time.

That is big time.

When you've got a guy like that that can make people miss Don't Stand a Chance.

And the stop on that last play by Jeremy Martin, number 51.

And there you see Jeremy Martin.

You were talking about Martin being a college prospect.

Absolutely.

Everybody is going after this young man.

But it's surprising to me that, again, he is the only according to everything that we've been told, he's the only division one prospect playing in the game today.

But, you know, I beg to differ.

And there is Barton coming off the field, coming back on the field, I should say, for Link.