Football Fridays in Georgia
GHSA 2A Semifinal: Dublin vs. Lovett
Season 2006 Episode 7 | 2h 19m 50sVideo has Closed Captions
GHSA 2A Semifinal: Dublin vs. Lovett - Dec. 8, 2006
GHSA 2A Semifinal: Dublin vs. Lovett - Dec. 8, 2006
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Football Fridays in Georgia is a local public television program presented by GPB
Football Fridays in Georgia
GHSA 2A Semifinal: Dublin vs. Lovett
Season 2006 Episode 7 | 2h 19m 50sVideo has Closed Captions
GHSA 2A Semifinal: Dublin vs. Lovett - Dec. 8, 2006
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Fly from the Georgia Dome.
It's the semifinal matchup of eight teams featuring the Dublin Irish and the Lovett Lions.
Dublin, the four eight champs.
Lovett the three seed out of Region six.
Welcome to the Georgia Dome.
Nice to have you with us.
This is game three of Game ten and it promises to be a great matchup between Dublin and Lovett.
A great matchup.
My partner Dave called and I are set to bring you all the action.
Dave, this is going to be a great one featuring some great high school athletes.
Should be an outstanding game.
Tommy, first, let me say great to be here with you.
You know, you can always say you can never underestimate the importance of senior leadership.
A lot of seniors on both sides of the of the ball game today.
A lot of guys that have been here before, they've been in big ball games and here they are back at the Georgia Dome.
An exciting time for both Dublin and Lovett.
Well, I'm looking forward to the game, not just from the senior aspect, but you have a team that won 25 out of their last 26 and you have a darkhorse, the number three seed out of a region who's played their way through the last three weeks, and deservedly here in the dome.
Well, they really have again, both of these football teams know how to win.
They know how to play that game on the offensive side.
They know how to make big plays on the defensive side.
And I think we're going to see a lot of that here today.
There you see Ben Cochran, the Ben and Brian Show, very versatile.
Can pass.
He can run 13 touchdown passes.
He's rushed for five.
And a very, very dangerous quarterback on the side for Dublin.
Also in the backfield, Brian Wilcher, the running back.
This is a guy that can really get it done, 128 rushes over 1100 yards.
Look at that average, almost nine or just over nine yards a carry to go along with 22 touchdowns.
All right.
Here's Coach Roger Holmes with what we can expect to see from the Dublin Irish today.
For the offense, we've always said we'll run out of multiple sets, run the wing t offense.
And I think the key to our success will be our balance.
We've been very balanced all year.
Especially in the number of carries that each kid gets and being able to throw the football and that type thing, you know.
So that's going to be our if we're successful offensively, that'll be the key is how balanced we are defensively.
We run out of the four, three and again, I think we've been very balanced there all year and been able to defend the run and defend the pass and obviously our special teams are an area that we're going to need to excel in to have a successful day here in the Georgia Dome.
Well, it's a task for the Lovett Lions, and I'm sure they're equal to it.
What do you know about Lovett, Dave?
Well, love it again.
Another team loaded with seniors, guys that have been in big ball games, they know there's a lot on the line.
They're playing for a lot here this afternoon.
Everybody is excited about this ballgame.
There you see Chris Meyer at quarterback.
How about this guy completing 60% of his passes plus over 1600 yards and 19 touchdowns and the guy can run as well, almost 400 yards rushing in for touchdowns.
So two quarterbacks in the game this afternoon, Tommy, that can beat you either through the air or on the ground.
All right.
We talked to coach Mike Muschamp and here was his game plan for this football game.
Offensively, we base everything out of the formation, but we'll be in a lot of different sets, split backs, a lot of shotgun and one back.
We're trying to get the ball to our playmakers in open spaces if we can.
We have two or three kids who've done an outstanding job for us this year.
Andre Hicks is number one.
We're trying to get him the ball as much as we possibly can because he has a chance to make a play any time he touches the ball.
And our quarterback Chris Martin, outstanding job this year as well.
Defensively, we're a35, which is a little bit of a unique kind of a defense and we do lots of stuff out of it.
We're very heavy blitz football team.
We will play some man coverage as well, but we try and makes our coverages as much as we can.
And the third, an important member of our team is down on the sideline.
Let's go to Lisa Bass where all the noise is.
Thanks, Tommy.
Well, it's been 11 years since the Lovett School has made it to the semifinals, and it's been even longer since they won it all last time.
They want to say championship game was 1970 and football now Dublin.
It's been even longer since they won the pot of gold.
Last time they won it was 43 years ago.
Now last year's team had high expectations to go all the way.
They finished the regular season undefeated and they set a GHC record with most points scored during a regular season.
But then they fell short, losing to cook in the second round of the state playoffs.
Now that team is hard at these players for a year now.
I'll tell you what, Tommy, their motto all year has been one word finish.
Get ready for the kick off.
It's coming up next.
Dublin and Lovett.
Just ahead.
On GPB.
Let's get it started here.
Let's get started from the Georgia Dome.
Set to watch the Love It Lions and the Dublin Irish.
Love it.
On your left in the dark jerseys, Dublin on your right, you look at your screen and the white jerseys.
Jack Hall will kick it off deep to receive Jamon morris and Brian Wilcher for the Irish.
These are two very good football teams Dublin 13 and Oak and 11, 11 and two.
Semifinal round of double eight.
The winner of this one plays the winner of Early County, Charles County.
Next week.
The ball is ready.
The officials are ready.
Soccer kicker.
Little short stubby kick taken by an up man down at the 26.
Brandon Edman back up the near sideline, got a block and is up to the 45 yard line where he's brought down there by Fraser Parrott.
Well Tommy, the key play on that return, number 12, Will Griffith nice job with a lead block to allow him to pick up an extra five, six, seven yards in that return.
All right.
First down and ten now from the 44, Ben Cochran will lead the Dublin Irish.
He's 54 out of 99, as you can see, almost a thousand yards, 13 touchdown.
But more importantly, only two interceptions.
The Bucs sweet to the right blocking in front and a gain of five or six Brian Wilcher on the carry up near midfield Dublin by the way they've started with excellent field position.
You pray for this.
All right.
Up front for Dublin Wells and Williams Smith, Josey Macrae is over the nose of the ball in the backfield.
Wilcher and Griffith are the running backs.
Edman The tied in Morris and Taylor are your wideouts.
And you're right, Wilcher are going to get a bulk of the carries.
The Ben and Brian show here for Dublin.
Little look and pass over thrown out here the 44 yard line pass intended for Brandon Taylor, the wide receiver out there and one on one coverage.
All right.
Defensively love it.
Lines up this way with a three man front Hennigan, Stockton and then Anderson is the nose tackle the backers four of them topping Moran, Malone and head and deep in the secondary you got Hicks Avery Saki and Rollins third down on the back now the sweet first down yardage and more the pitches to Jamon Morris Morris down to the 44 yard line.
Nice job running in beside the right side of that line.
You know, one thing that we didn't mention in the open, Tommy, was how well the offensive and defensive lines of these two teams have played.
Coaches will tell you your skill players can be really, really good skill players, but they've got to have really good lines to run in behind in order to be successful.
All right.
Wilcher brings them up, or rather, Cochran brings in.
Up a little off the 43 batted down hill now little track right up the middle to give this to Thomas Barnes.
Good defensive effort by that LeVert defense little stunting on.
That left hand side over there Dave excellent defensive pursuit Andy head made the stop.
No question some help there from 40 for Christian Andersen as well.
Again, another senior we talked about it, a lot of upperclassmen on the field for both these two teams in this big ball game.
Some of them have been here before and very, very excited to be here.
Second down and nine for Dublin now headed downhill down.
At the 43 of love fight and the throat of a tight end.
Excellent defensive coverage down at the 32.
Brandon Edman And the thing that Dublin does just really Dave that that impresses you is that they not only run the ball, they throw it, they set it up with the fake inside and then the quick pass across the middle.
Nice job getting open there by Brandon Edmond to get open for that quick pass just across the middle after those a fake on the handoff.
Nose of the ball just outside the 30.
First down ten fake inside now to give inside to the full.
Back to Thomas Barnes.
That's the part that makes it very difficult even here from the booth as we have the greatest view in the world, it's hard to tell if he's going to pull it back and throw or or give it to that up.
Got it, man.
What a great quarterback and full back exchange between Barnes and Ben Cochran.
And again, from a defensive standpoint, you really got to be on your toes.
We talked to this is an outstanding team.
What they're going to try to put it in the air or whether they're going to keep it on the ground.
So defensively, you've got to really try to key in get that extra second of knowledge as to what direction they may go.
Wing formation pocket and around the counter trap and Devin Lovett just shot in there.
Pass the double and pulling guard Jamon morris on the carry Excellent defense over there it looked like 40 for Christian Anderson was in causing problems.
Again yeah tough to tell if it was a busted play or the fact that Lovett was just so quick to pursue defensively that it caused problems in the handoff for get the hand at the point of handoff.
The rule generally when you play a wing team is if the guard pulls, you need to follow it and something good's going to happen.
Man in motion.
Cochran Rolling, throwing Got a man out there Breaks a tackle ten five Touchdown Jamon morris.
Boy the senior for Dublin What great running ability after the catch he actually broke one tackle and ran over one other defender in order to get to the end zone.
Heads up play.
Here's another look at it.
Good throw one broken tackle and now a collision touchdown Drew Briggs will attempt point for placement Good snap.
And the kick is good.
Dublin breaks on top early seven Nothing.
Let's take another look at the touchdown play.
There you see a beautiful pass, a bullet right in the numbers.
He will turn.
He gets a head of steam, he avoids it but bust right over that lone defender for Lovett that was able to get back and it was Thomas Avery and a clear shot to the end zone after that.
You know, he had worked up such a head of steam speed wise, and there's a lot of speed on both sides of this football that really just got over there a little bit too late and there's nothing that he could do.
And a clear shot into the end zone at that point.
The short pass always cuts down on the margin of error, too.
So seven plays 56 yards, 3 minutes and 17 seconds.
And as we like to say around football, it didn't take long.
You and I talked off air that we may have a lot of scoring here.
And so far, every inclination is that these two teams that we know, they can put points on the board.
They've done it all season.
They've done it throughout the postseason to get here, the Georgia Dome, and they're not going to let up in this ballgame.
Griggs is teeing it up at the 40 to kick it away and deep to receive for Lovett.
Andre Hicks standing back near the goal line.
To be one thing and one in four double the four championships in the entire Double-A bracket.
Dublin High School scored the most points of any school and then you've got Lovett coming in averaging 31 points a game.
Points at a premium driving kick right at the goal line, kicks on the return.
Excellent coverage by doubling down at the 17.
Nice play on special teams they key in on the ball receiver and everybody pursues he was able to get up across the 15 and close to the 20.
Chris Miles comes on to lead the lions 109 out of 185 636 yards 19 touchdowns, six interceptions.
That's a great ratio as well.
David Oh, no question.
As I said, completing just over 60% of his passes coming into this game here today at the Georgia Dome.
Meyer brings him up pro set, true pro set split backfield to wide receivers and a tight end that'll look and pass batted away at the 25 yard line Very close coverage there.
Sean Bonham the intended receiver.
All right.
Lovett Scott Cox Edmondson Dunk Len Malone Andrew up front the backfield Hicks at the tail Anderson at fullback came and Kinsey throws that slot Right One wide receiver to the left Chris Meyer.
Brings him up Good backfield doubling for man run kind of run the trap right the.
Middle to the tailback Hicks got a little yardage as he came up across the 23 yard line doubling just jumps right up in there and that four man front Thomas Barnes who also plays on offense there on defense to make the stop All right Dublin's got Hall little Josie and Smith in that four man front.
The three backers are Griffith Pooler and Barnes.
And in the secondary you got Morris Smith, Edmond and Wilson.
Shotgun in formation West Coast offense two wide Meyer dropping the throw looking for three trying to get out of harm's way and can knocked down back.
Of the 19 Quentin Fuller on the stop.
Well pooler is their big defensive guy coming into the game this afternoon 70 tackles to lead that defensive unit Very good pursuit defense football team and right now causing a few problems for Lovett in their first offensive possession.
All right.
Michael Steele back at the six to kick it away.
Fourth down and eight Good snap Excellent kick hard drive and kick Saric taken back in the 46 yard line by Brandon Edmunds So it's been all we had hoped for to begin with both football teams showing a lot of tenacity.
This is going to be a hard hitting, hard fought semifinal game.
Well, credit Dublin's defense on that first possession for Lovett to kind of kept him bottled up deep in their own end and look at the field position they're going to have on their second possession, really just beyond midfield.
I think it's spotted they're at about the 47 yard line.
Well, with this Dublin high powered offense and they are a high powered folks, they score a lot of points.
You don't want to play field position.
They don't need any assistance in that regard.
Quarterback Tom Brady midst to the tail now.
Down to the 38 Brian Wilcher goes but I believe we're going to have an illegal formation there's a flag on a play.
See that play a lot.
It's going to be a handoff to Wilcher.
Wilcher is going to then head to a side, then try to turn upfield, look for some blockers and see what kind of yardage he can come up with.
Motion against Dublin.
The call five yard penalty.
I tell you, Dublin does not give the defense very much time to set themselves off.
You'll see they don't take a lot of time.
Illegal motion on the offense penalty is five yard three.
Play for South First and 15 now back at the 42 yard line watch Dublin.
They don't take a lot of time.
They've got the play call.
They know what they're going to run a wing right with a slot left formation.
Cochran rolls pressure Carolina wide open a 38 yard line Thomas Barnes.
Wide open down at the 36 yard line And man did Cochran put the ball on the money.
Again he has really been hot today throwing that football a little bit of a fake on the handoff to Wilcher.
He'll turn fired up field fired a bullet had to go up.
Barnes did just a little bit to pull that ball down.
Nice job going up to make that catch.
And again, we talk about field position.
Here they are at the 35.
They're down, they're knocking on the door again.
And the thing that's so amazing about it is he has not been contested in the backfield.
Great protection by the Dublin offensive line.
Cochran Barnes, just the most man in motion, but quick track to Wilson Got a block got so tripped up.
Down at the two yard line Excellent defense by Andy head down there I almost said got six it was.
Close it was awfully close.
I think everyone in the Georgia Dome thought that he was going to hit pay dirt.
He just went right up the middle.
Some nice holes opened up by that Dublin offensive line.
It looked like a breakaway touchdown.
We talked about senior leadership and there's Andy had one of their leaders on the defensive unit, hustling, never giving up, making the run and tripping up Wilshire before he could get into the end zone.
Great speed by head because Barnes can fly.
Lovett's defense has got a lock down here.
Here's Cochran.
And in motion fullback slant right off the left side Thomas Barnes And that's a touchdown Dublin.
Nice mix of the pass in the run on that possession there by Dublin Tommy and of course they finish it off They hand it off to Thomas Barnes and Barnes really finds a nice hole at the one yard line just bust right through and they pick up another six, another six points and lead it now 13 to nothing.
All right, Drew Grigg's got to kick it away from the ten.
Kick is up and the kick is good.
Devlin leads it down 14 to nothing.
Let's go down to the sidelines.
To Lisa Weise.
Tomi, you mentioned Drew Griggs, a place pick here.
Now, what you might not know is in his sophomore year, he was in a coma for two months.
He had a staph infection.
It was not expected to live.
But as you see, he fought through and came out of his column and he was back on the gridiron in the fourth game of his junior year.
Now, of course, he's a senior and hopefully he can go out with a bang.
Tommy, back to you.
So far, he's going out with a bang.
Two kicks, two very good kicks.
Special teams has been one of the many bright spots in that football team this season.
It takes a collective unit to be successful to get this far, whether it's offense, whether it's defense, whether it's special teams.
And for Dublin, it's been all positive all season.
Very much so.
And the amazing thing about this football team is they just rack up points over and over and over.
We'll run down a few of those scores for you that they have mounted up this year, early in the year and then late in the year, even in the playoffs.
Griggs, a kick high driving kick down at about the four yard line Taylor Mack on the return Not much running room Great kick coverage Let's take a time out here with a score Dublin 14 Love it Nothing.
What do you think, Dave?
Halfway through the first quarter, very impressive performance by Dublin.
Well, you know, they came in with over 3700 yards rushing on the season.
They've got a very versatile quarterback in Ben Cochran who we told you can beat.
Whether it's through the air, on the ground, they've got somewhat of a nice mix of passing run and they've had great foot field position so far in their first two offensive possessions.
And Lovett had better be careful because his lightning quick is Dublin can score Lovett already down two touchdowns could find themselves in a little bit more precarious situation if they don't find some success in moving the ball downfield on this possession.
All right, here comes Lovett from the 15.
Chris Meyer, the quarterback lead.
It's right up the middle, down block at the point of attack, up to the 18 goes Andre Hicks.
Well, Hicks on the season 1135 yards rushing 14 touchdowns, he averaged almost nine yards a carry and that time took the handoff, tried to run in behind the right tackle right guard and just got tripped up again.
Great pursuit defense there by the leader on that defensive unit, Quentin Pooler.
Quentin Pooler made the stop.
The game was only 1/2 down and nine.
Meyer looks into that four man's run by rolling the throw.
We've got a man out there.
Over and shoots him up at about the 28 yard line.
Dan Young, the intended receiver over on the coverage, Rashard Smith.
Double and ended up coming with an extra defensive lineman there make it really five across the front adding a little bit more pressure to Lovett quarterback Chris Meyer.
He ended up maybe having to rush the throw just a little bit, got the ball up a little bit too high.
There was no way that Young was going to be able to come down with that ball and good defensive pressure by the corners there for Dublin.
Meyers brings a. Meyer, brings them up, third down and nine.
That's the man in motion.
Spiraling pressure now breaks out of harm's way, runs the little screen.
Very close to a first down goes Andre Hicks.
Very nicely done.
Well heads up play there by Hicks.
After catching the ball turned upfield and was looking for blockers, he found number 67 Jonathan Roux and one really late a nice block to open up a little bit of a little bit more of a hole to allow him to pick up, I don't know, three or four extra yards on the carry.
Dublin very rather.
Lovett very patient on offense excellent call with the little screen they're getting a lot of heat from that Dublin front.
Four wide receivers left and right, California formation West Coast up to the 29 yard line pass completed to Dan Young, Chris Meyer to Dan Young.
Here's another look at it.
Looks left throws right, dances into harm's way.
Tony Smith on the start.
Tony Smith had that play from the defensive end.
Read the entire way.
Nice little screen there out of the flat to young but just wasn't able to pick up too many yards after the catch.
Meyer brings him up Lovett now moving the ball, begrudgingly doubling defense Sorry for checking off.
At the line of scrimmage here Meyer fake throw is batted around Almost intercepted.
Michael Hall got his hands up in the air, man.
Did he get.
Up?
He did.
And Will Smith almost the benefactor of that, he almost came down.
The problem was he jumped just a split second or two early.
And as he was coming down, he wasn't able to get a hand squarely on the ball.
It ends up hitting the turf.
But again, the defensive pressure, I think, are starting to rush Meyer into making some throws that he might not ordinarily make.
Screens and slants are the only thing you can basically do against a team that's hard charging Dublin.
Right now, the defense is just pinning their ears back and really coming after the quarterback.
Meyer looks over that four.
Man front going to fake now got some room out there I'm going to run Meyer.
Is going to get up to about the 30 for the 35 yard line before he's knocked down by Quentin Pooler.
Well, a heads up play, too.
Everything had been running towards the right side of the field, the near side of the field.
This time he decides to roll out, see if there's anything open on the left side of the field.
He was able to pick up quite a what, a chunky yardage there, but just not enough for the first down shy by about four or five yards.
And they're going to have to punt the football.
Michael Steele back at the 20 to kick it away and Brandon Edman deep to receive back of the 35.
Just got it away Mike how close to was that to being blocked good.
Coverage by Lovett downfield return up to the 32 yard line Brandon Edman on the return Tommy Moran on the tackle for Lovett, it's viewers like you that help make great local programs like these high school football games possible on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
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It's totally secure, simple to use and takes just 2 minutes and thank you for supporting Georgia Public Broadcasting Dublin now first and ten at the 31 the Bucs sweep to the left look at the blocking out front at the 38 Jamon morris on the carry Dave there's just seven players in front of the ball carrier.
Well they do they stack it in the box and got you know pretty much what they're going to try to do.
They're going to try to throw something out of the flat or it's going to one of the three backs that we've seen here today, primarily, those guys are going to try at some point to cut try to get something onto the outside end of the field or they're going to bust it, try to bust it up the middle.
But that time, trying to cut things out on the left side of the field, good pursuit defense there by Lovett, a.
Gain of about six and a half.
Second and a long three at the 38 same play right side and good pursuit by Lovett over there up at about.
The 43 yard line.
Awfully close but I think he was able to pick up the first down.
Nick Stonecipher, one of the first ones there along with Kristen Anderson.
And Anderson has really been right in the throes of everything and he's playing an outstanding game 11.
It's going to be third and short all they probably are going to measure here, obviously.
Yes.
I tell you, you don't want to get into a field position game with Dublin.
They don't really need that help, do you think?
No, not at all.
That's been proven so far here this afternoon.
This is about the worst, if you want to call it field position that they have had all season.
Oh, I would say the game.
Yeah, right.
42 and a half.
First down I would assume.
Yes.
First down now for Dublin up at the 43 wide receiver to the left Cochran your quarterback.
Two wing said with one wide receiver inside trying to get to Wilson.
And running down hill down to the 47 yard line very close to another first down.
Well we said two and here you see the handoff.
Wilcher going to turn, take it right up the middle.
Nice job following his blockers.
Barnes there trying to lead the pass before they're finally able to bring him down.
He averages almost nine yards, just over nine yards a carry.
And they're very close to another first down.
And the signal from the officials, it is a first down, down at the 48 yard line.
Amazing how they just seem to just glide across this carpet, Tommy.
That's why they're 13 and oh, coming into this game, amazing.
Winning double win for the man in motion.
Get to the fullback right up the middle.
Down to the 40 yard line goes Will Griffith and they haven't given the ball much to Griffith but he has a stalwart up front when he cuts through to lead the the trap when they run that thing.
We talk about how dangerous their ground game is.
Look at the versatility that they have with the number of guys that can carry the football and carry it successfully with Wilcher and with Morris and with Barnes and with Griffith on that carry.
They spread it around nicely, second down and about.
Three slot.
Right now they're going to shift almost to a throw that now to a double room.
Thompson gets to the rim down down block broke a tackle flag goes down six dame down.
Near the 12 yard line goes Jamon.
Morris boy an outstanding run broke three of four tackles finally Rico Braxton able to catch up with him from behind to trip him up down around the ten yard line.
But there were flags on the field and we'll see if this will affect Dublin on that run.
Generally, you can tell by the way, the shoulder pads look whether it's against them or not.
Facemask.
Love it.
Though.
A big break for Dublin.
And look at this great blocking and down to the 12 yard line, there's the facemask.
Whoa.
That one on his head.
Totally around him.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
During the run.
We had a personal foul facemask on the defense.
That penalty will be.
Administered.
Half the distance to the goal from the end of the run.
All right, first down and goal now from about the seven yard line Dublin 8/1 downs and love it to.
The is to go to.
Touchdown Dublin great blocking up front again they.
Had an idea that number five was going to go ahead and take that course he did find some room to cut out to the right side.
Nice job following those two blockers right there.
Cuts back inside.
By that point, he's got such a head of steam, it was no way they were going to stop him and he just glides right into the end zone, makes it a 20 to nothing ballgame.
Drew Griggs to kick the point from placement at the ten Cochran to hold that snap and the kick so low line drive but it's up and good as the teams come back up the field.
Dublin 21 Love it nothing.
You the thing about it Tommy to it it looks very lopsided right now but don't kid yourself love it has the capability of putting points on the scoreboard.
They've done it all season.
That's why they're here.
They've just got to go ahead and dig in, refocus and focus on doing the things that they've been successful all year.
Don't worry about the scoreboard right now.
Worry about getting on the scoreboard and getting back into this ball game and pulling closer and closer to Dublin.
Well, you can only score one touchdown at a time and that's what you really need to focus on here is not really letting it get out of hand and just try to drive the ball, mount some sort of offensive attack.
When you have the ball, of course, very short scoring drive, 68 yards, five plays, 2 minutes and 32 seconds, did not take them long.
Got it all lightning quick.
We've seen that really on all three in that, you know, all three of their touchdown drives here today just moving up and down field with precision.
Nice mixture of pass and run a little bit heavier on the run side.
But, you know, they do what they do and they do it very well.
When they throw they throw short and effectively.
Driggs to kick it off and DC received Andre Hickson back of the line He's got a block and broke it across the 30 the 40 another break and down to the 43 that gives the Lovett fans something to cheer about.
Finally, LeVert.
Has got some outstanding field position.
They have 42 seconds to play here in the opening quarter.
We just talked about it.
They need something positive to happen.
All right.
Here it is.
Hicks found him a little seam through the middle good fake on Griggs the kicker and ran out of room 43 yard line return that'll that'll get the adrenaline pumping that'll get you back in the game Sure will.
Sometimes all you need is one play to turn things around.
As you said, get the adrenaline going and really get this offense in gear higher.
And the man in motion gives to the tailback.
That's got to sting Jonathan Carcass on the carry.
My goodness, what a pursuit tackle there by Will Griffiths.
He didn't have the ball, but a split second all of a sudden Griffiths coming in from the corner and made a blistering hit to bring that run, doing a quick.
In West Barnwell on the carry man that one stings too let's see.
Second down ahead two yard loss I guess maybe.
Let's call it 11, 11 and a half man in motion.
Two wide receivers.
Meyer rolling to throw tucks and runs and out of bounds down at about 435.
We've played one of the Georgia Dome Dublin 2111 nothing.
The amazing thing about Dublin is they jumped out to a 21 nothing lead last week against Greater Atlanta Christian, a team from the same region that Lovett plays in love.
It, of course, the three seed out of the region with Buford and in greater Atlanta, Christian.
So let's see if Lovett can bounce back here, much like Greater Atlanta Christian did last.
Well, very important Tommy down 21 nothing for their offense to go ahead and come away with some positives.
The Hicks run back is giving them the best field position they have had all day.
Now they've got to go ahead and put some points on the scoreboard.
Third and two key down here.
Probably two down territory Meyer gives to the fullback West Barnwell, and he's very close to a first down.
I believe that was Hillshire that came in and made that tackle wrapped up those ankles.
Not going to let him get well.
He picked up the first down but not going to let him get much more yardage other than what he got, which was just enough to keep the football rolling first down.
Lovett down at about the 33 yard line.
It's a lot easier when you go in downhill than uphill throw to wide receivers.
Meyer with quarterback Gibbs on the fullback crowd not much there.
Christian Anderson, who's also the linebacker on the other side, not much there.
Well, Griffith also also got in there and pretty much stacked him up at the line.
Nice, strong runner.
But when you're running up against two of the white jerseys, kind of ran up against the wall, wasn't able to really pick up too much, too many yards there.
Ball just looked like a pickup of maybe 2 to 2 or three.
Yeah.
Thomas Barnes on the stop gain of about 3 seconds seven pro sat with a slot to the right Going to send the man in motion and give once more to Barnwell.
And Barnwell cracks down inside the 25 yard line, very close to the 25.
Now they're going to spotted at the 25.
So you see Lovett starting to get into some sort of rhythm offensively running, primarily keeping the ball on the ground and you know, sooner or later to Dublin, going to keep that defense on.
This is the longest they've been on the field the entire ballgame.
So they're going to start to wear down here just a little bit chance for Lovett again to keep the ball, keep it moving and try to get on the board.
Meyer looking to that four man front Dublin got a jump.
And now they're going to get a help.
They're going to get help with a penalty.
Yeah.
57 Chris Williams jumped.
Got a little anxious there.
Boy, I tell you what, you have to give Dublin defense the credit man.
They they're not embarrassed to jump right out and get into your face early.
No, not at all.
And you know, throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.
The defense was in the neutral zone, bounteous, five yards.
Down of the 19.
Going to stay in of the playoffs.
They were great from a ranking standpoint, one of the top defenses in the state as far as points allowed.
Very, very stingy.
Very stingy.
First down ten, 11 down inside the 20 at the 19 I formation, Meyer looks over that four three going to fake got some time throws.
Complete down at about the eight yard line Ford.
Kinsey complete 11 is really gotten up off the floor here after that 21 to nothing shock I'm sure they got there let's take another look at it Meyer fakes turns throws and he's there wide open.
Nice job by Kinsey to a big six foot senior set himself up nicely in the ten yard line He was wide open.
Nice concentration on the catch.
He turns and he got hit right away.
But a nice offensive possession there for love it.
All right first down and goal and Meyer now got to run the option out of that West Coast set and get inside the five down to about the four.
Now Meyer's been very smart on two or three occasions on the keeper that time included nice pick up of close to four or five yards in that carry and it's got them knocking on the door right now.
Down at the 6/2 and goal from there very versatile offense on the of Lovett from several different sets and formations a man in motion going to fake Meyer going to roll going to try to get down to the goal line down close to the two man he avoided a tackle back at about the six yard line I think Will Griffith was the man who missed him back there.
Know we said in the open, Tommy, that Chris Meyer very versatile in his ability here you see takes the snap try to look up field there's no open receiver I think all along he wanted to keep that ball and run it.
He had almost 550 yards rushing during the regular season and on average, almost four yards of carry and four touchdowns.
All right, it's third and goal nose of the ball just outside the two.
Meyer brings them up.
Howard set now to the left hand side.
Meyer barks a signals.
Gives the Barnwell touchdown.
Good blocking.
Up front Well we knew coming in that both the.
Offensive lines in this game were going to kind of set the tone as to the way this game would turn out.
Of course, Dublin has really had an outstanding day so far from their offensive line.
And right now, Lovett getting there, their offensive line starting to step up.
They did a nice job that time opening up the hole.
And for Barnes six on the scoreboard, they're going to try to go ahead here with the point.
After all, bull kick, good snap kick is up and the kick is good.
So LeVert rides the heels of that great kickoff return and drives it down and scores.
That's got to be a huge confidence boost for them too as well, getting down early in this ballgame by three touchdowns.
And then you've really got to concentrate.
You've got to go ahead and get your offense back in the field.
You've got to focus in on doing the things that you have done well all season.
Don't worry about the scoreboard, as we said.
And that time, a beautiful drive, nine plays, 43 yards, just a little over 4 minutes, 4 minutes, 10 seconds and a two yard touchdown run.
Tommy, that's the thing that's impressive is the 4 minutes and 10 seconds.
You want that?
Because all the time you have clock and you're running clock and you're scoring points.
Dublin doesn't.
And Dublin showed their drives last about two and a half minutes.
So you run clock, you keep Dublin off the field and 11 got the bonus, of course of the points.
So it's 21 to 7 with 834 left in the half.
Jack Hall will kick it off deep to receive Will Wilcher and Morris for the Irish little pooch kick again little short stubby thing up at about the 33 and they got a block at the corner Edmond going to be knocked out of bounds Flag goes down up at about the 38 yard line.
Well, he really stuck a sore arm out there on that run.
Let's go down to Lisa on the sideline.
Lisa.
Tommy, I don't know if you've noticed, but on Lovett's helmet are the initials C, r o, and that's in memory of their former teammate, Tyler Cross.
Cross, who was a captain on last year's squad, passed away this November while at the University of Texas and he's been their motivation and inspiration this season.
So the one thing they're trying to do is live up to his expectations, and that is to never give up and never to quit.
Tommy, back to you.
Thanks, Lisa.
Yes.
Penalty lets you run back.
We had an instrumental facemask on the runner.
Penalties five yards.
And incidental facemask on the runner.
Five yard penalty.
First down now Dublin up at the 34 yard line.
Cochran brings them up double wing formation.
Lovett jumping around to sweep.
Blockers out in front at the corner.
Wilcher can really get out there in a hurry.
The thing that's amazing about Dublin, if you'll just watch them when they come out of the huddle set in their formation, they don't give you a time to adjust on defense.
No, not at all.
You know, you talk to Wilcher.
Wilcher, obviously the featured back in this offense, although they've been very versatile with really running for different ball, Wilcher had a built low to the ground.
He's got a lot of speed when he starts to get to the outside, the defensive pursuers have really got to turn it up an extra notch speed wise to keep up with him.
He causes a lot of problems.
Cloture, 62 yards already.
Now the big full back up the middle, will Griffith on the carry at the 45 gainer is about three.
Wilcher very good when he gets that ball on one of the sides out running in behind the right of the left tackle and you can obviously stick with your fullback.
You're going to try to pound it up into the line and try to create some holes in there.
Of course, we've seen Wilcher do a little bit of both today, especially on the touchdown.
Earlier they hit the the third touchdown of the day for Dublin was one that was right up the middle.
But he's he's so much more effective when he runs outside as opposed to running up the middle.
Second down there, Wilcher again breaks the tackle.
I'm sorry, Jamon morris on the carry.
It's almost like pick your poison really is.
I mean, they just have so many weapons on the ground, whether it's Wilcher, whether it's Morris, whether it's Barnes.
And that time did a nice job running in behind left tackle, left guard.
They opened up a nice hole.
Here it is on replay and the blockers just setting up a nice, huge wall right there.
There's nothing to do but turn it up speed wise and now head to the endzone and that's what he did on that play.
The blockers, an outstanding job on the left side of the line.
It looks like.
The old flying wedge from a year ago on a kickoff return.
All you see is jerseys grigg's up and good on the extra point and Dublin leads it now 28 to 7 yeah.
Again, you know very, very tough defensive leader to try to stop these guys and you know for Lovett so far for a good bit of the first quarter and here in the second quarter, their defense has spent a lot of time on the field and there's so many weapons for Dublin that, you know, I think it's wearing Lovett down here just a little bit.
Here's another look at the touchdown here.
Look at the blockers out in front.
Three of them right there opening up a beautiful hole, a big, beautiful.
And all he's got to do is take it to the end zone.
Easiest job is just running it to the end zone.
That's the only thing he's got to worry about.
I don't think he was touched.
I really don't.
If he was touched, it was by one of his own players.
He made a nice move down to the about the 30 cut back in and then nothing but green carpet.
For Morris his second touchdown of the afternoon and everything's been on the ground Barnes and Wiltshire the other two touchdowns for the the green and yellow or the white and yellow here this afternoon.
Griggs will kick it off and deep to receive Andre Hicks.
One minute drive.
Didn't take long and a fumble and.
Dublin picks it up and advances it down to the five and Drake.
Yes, Rollins.
Oh, my.
How much worse can it get?
Well, a very costly error there on the kickoff.
And they're going to have outstanding position there for a four doubling here.
You see, just lost the ball.
Not sure if he.
Well, I was going to say maybe lost it in life, but I don't think so.
Just split second loss of concentration there.
The ball just bounced off his chest to the shoulder pads and you saw it took a huge bounce after it hit him.
And the bounce obviously in favor of Dublin and.
Rollins picked it up and actually had his knee on the ground.
That's probably why it's spotted back at the 21.
Of course, no replay in high school, but when you see it, you can see it.
So, of course, the officials made the good call there right now.
Love it defensively.
Got to dig in and try to come up with a big stop.
This would be a huge confidence boost for Lovett after the turnover if they could stop them here.
All right.
Your hands to the first man through Thomas Barnes.
A gain of about a yard.
Look at that.
Look at Dublin's scoring drive.
Seven plays, 56 yards, three plays, 53 yards, five plays, 68 yards, three plays, 66 yards.
Yeah, we know they could pass the ball, but so far they've been so effective just keeping it on the ground, mixing it up just a little bit.
Pass and run, but primarily run.
And what can you say for touchdowns and lightning quickness?
You don't mind the time consuming drives because the clock's running.
Wilcher rolling the throw, got a man in the end zone in and out of his hands down there.
Brandon Taylor, the intended receiver.
And he was wide open.
Wilcher just missed him down there.
Yeah.
If he doesn't lose his footing, that's a touchdown for Dublin.
Got a little bit ahead of himself.
And then as far as the throw by Cochran had to throw, it ended up throwing it just a little bit behind.
I think the speed of the receiver combined with the throw obviously wasn't in great position but also lost his footing in the end zone.
If he doesn't do that and ends up probably making a nice catch.
Right third down and long time out with your score.
Dublin 28 for Lovett seven.
We'll be back at the Dome in a moment as well.
Dave, when you when you take a look at it the last thing Lovett after the 28 to 7 score that would want to happen would be the fumble.
And you can't fault anybody.
Those things just happen.
You just have to keep turnovers at a minimum and you have to keep thinking positive here.
If you're Lovett and their coaching staff.
Well, Tommy, there are some teams that you can if you if you're going to go ahead and have the unfortunate scenario of turning it over, you can turn it over.
You won't get burned too badly.
Dublin is not one of those teams.
If you turn it over, you're in trouble.
Well, you have to play ERA three against this team to really have a chance because they score so quickly.
It's third down and nine.
Wilson brings about man in motion, rolling, blocking the throw.
Got a man out there complete and out of bounds.
Down at about.
The three yard line.
Brian Wilcher on the reception.
He was the guy that was in motion.
But we've talked so much about Wilcher and his ability to run the football and what he's able to do on the ground.
He's also not bad as a receiver and that time, nice concentration, stepping up plenty of time to throw.
Nice spiral right there and a great catch there by Wilcher.
Lovett makes the tackle to keep him out of the end zone.
But again Dublin knocking on the door.
Yeah Cochran just tremendous with his play calling.
And with his handling of the ball.
The give is to the fullback.
Off the right hand side will Griffith and he's stacked up by that defensive line.
They Griffith becomes now what the fifth different fighting Irish to carry the ball here so far in the first half.
I'm telling you they have really run him out there.
Barnes Wilcher, Edmond Morris and also has Cochran carrying the ball to quarterback.
Has he run the ball yet?
Think one or two.
Okay.
So yeah, a lot versatility, a lot of weapons on the ground to be able to pick up the yardage.
19 carries 236 yards now make it to 37.
On 20.
Ryan Wilcher again finds the end zone, makes it a 34 seven ballgame.
They were knocking on the door.
All they do is hand it off to number five.
That speed turns on nice hole opened up by the offensive line.
They've had so much success along the offensive line here today with a dominating performance now just wearing down Lovett's defensive line.
Griggs with the extra point up and good so still 521 left in the first half and Dublin's on cruise control Here's another look at it.
There he goes takes it got hit once but nice movement after the initial hit and he's able to fall back into the end zone.
They spun him around and his momentum carried him into the end zone.
So for Wiltshire, his second touchdown of the afternoon.
This is a happy crowd and with reason.
Dublin leading 35 to 7.
I don't think there's any worry in Coach Holmes on the other side over there.
And of course, Coach Muschamp on this side has really got to be encouraging his kids.
You know, hang in there, hang in there.
Something good is going to happen.
Will love it averaged 31 points a ballgame coming into the postseason so they know that they can score again.
They proved it on that lone scoring drive that they have here in the second in the second quarter.
So they've just got to go out there and do the things that they have done and been successful at to get them to this point here in the dome.
Griggs will kick it off.
Five plays, 21 yards a minute, 38.
Sounds familiar, and you definitely don't need to get a double on a short field.
Riggs kicks it off hard drive.
It can get down to about.
The 11, nine.
Or ten yard return there by Max Williams, a wide receiver.
Dublin special teams other than the Andre Hicks run back for Lovett, which gave them the field position that they needed on their lone scoring drive.
Dublin really has not allowed much of anything special teams wise so far here in the first and second quarter.
Many observers statewide just kept saying, You won't believe this Dublin football team until you see them.
They can play with anybody.
And based on what we've seen in the first half this afternoon, they have been very impressive.
They have.
I'm convinced it.
St Dublin 237 1160.
That tells the story Meyer hands to the first man threw up at the 22 yard line Dublin swarming on defense Christian Anderson on the carry.
Not a whole lot there in Dublin defensively that defensive line has been has been on key all season and they come in here rotting and you try fewest points allowed in their region and a very, very difficult defense not only to move the ball against but to score against.
Four three set by Dublin.
Meyer gives to his half back kicks.
He gets a little yardage up across the 25 of 28 gain of about six or seven on the play.
The Dublin defense is almost carbon copy of the offense.
They're relentless, they're just nonstop.
They just really just pin their ears back and come toward the other team.
They just they play lights out on both sides of the ball, third down and about three throw set.
To watch to the last one to the top of your screen.
Meyer Again, a fake run.
The draw gets the first down up for about the.
3435 yard line.
Meyer's been successful a couple of times tonight running the football nice mix there of Meyer and Hicks the two featured guys in their offense and they're going to have to have a lot more of that in order to fight their way back into this ballgame.
First down now at about the 34 and a half for Lovett, they need to run clock here and try to get in the end zone once more.
Go Meyer.
Sons of man, emotion Rhodes looking to throw pressure down at the 38 Michael Hall Tony Smith That one's got to sting.
Well, bro Wilcher was in on that tackle as well, basically found himself in what we'll call the Bermuda Triangle right there.
He rolled out, was looking for a receiver, you've only got so long.
And he heads into the flat right there and there's three yellow helmets right there to make the hit man.
What a hit there.
Five yard loss, second down now.
And long Meyer.
Looking throws the screen Got some room out there up around the 40 for the 45 to Matt Henderson and as we said that that's basically the only way you're going to attack this Dublin defense and to really get them on off of the swarm is the screen.
Henderson a59 senior, just waits nice little dump off pass in the flat there just turns follows a couple of blockers and gets it up across the 40 close to the 45 yard line.
And there to make the stop once more.
Brian Wilcher, he plays both sides of the ball very well.
Third down and short yardage, high formation by Gibbs to hits the tailback.
And you could really see that coming You could see the Dublin defense just really creeping up, creeping up, creeping up.
Well, they read that play nicely.
It was Rollins that came in from the left side, had a great read on it.
The handoff went to Andre Hicks and there just wasn't a whole lot of time to get anything going.
Look at all of those white jerseys.
They're gang tackling Hicks basically a second after he took the ball in the handoff.
Rollins On the initial stop, fourth down and about three.
And Lovett now is going to talk this over.
This is the semifinal game.
The winner of this one plays the winner of Early County, Charlton County, a game which will come up tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 here on GPB.
Dave Dublin, everything it's advertised to be.
Earlier today we talked to Coach Holmes and ask him what was special about this football team.
Well, I've been really pleased with the way our young men have bounced back after last year's disappointing loss in the second round, which doubled our total there.
We've had kind of a dominating year and close to a quality Cook County team there in the second round of the state playoffs.
And they've come back this year with big goals and and a great work ethic.
And it's paid off for us to this point.
And the others here.
This is a very good football team.
There's no other way to look at it.
They've got no question at all about that.
Dublin proving themselves out here this afternoon.
Fourth down and three.
Meyer going to run the draw and he's going to be a little short a game effort.
But he got tripped up, looked like Tony Smith reached in and grabbed him down there.
But if you love it and you're down 35 seven, you have to do something.
Well, you got to mix it up a little bit.
That's why I like the pass a little while ago, a few plays ago that they threw to Henderson.
Mix it up a little bit.
Throw the defense off a little bit.
They've not had success on the ground trying to run into the defensive line of Dublin, so try to mix it up a little, throw out of the flat, try to run to the outside a little bit, just try to keep Dublin defensively off guard.
They to really know what's coming.
First down ten Dublin down at the 42 of Lovett a minute 34 left and a half wing to man in motion give on the counter dove to Wilcher and Wilcher yanked down to the the 39 yard line Christian Anderson one of the first ones in there, the linebacker and here's Dublin in their hurry up offense.
They really are relentless.
Now Cochran going to throw the little pass out in the flats complete to the wide receiver, knocked down at about the 23 yard line.
Brandon Taylor on the reception.
Again, we've seen a lot of action from them on the ground there in that hurry up offense.
But right now Cochran Looks wants to throw out and finds Taylor there.
Nice reception and nice job running the football after the catch breaking away from two tacklers.
Good pursuit by Lovett there first down and ten and Lovett going to call timeout here all year earlier we asked coach Muschamp what was special about this year's football team at Lovett.
This year's team is unique for lots of different reasons, but most importantly, because we started out, we had some success last year and we've graduated a lot of seniors and I wasn't really sure that this senior class was going to be able to step up and provide that same kind of leadership.
And they've done an outstanding job all year long.
Each game has been a progression for us and we started a certain level and we've gotten better each week and that's been a testament to their leadership and the way our kids have accepted the challenges that we.
Excellent comments by Coach Mike Mushkin.
Well, this can be a positive for Lovett right now if they can defensively dig in with 104 to play here in the half and keep Dublin from getting in the end zone.
It's already a 35 seven ballgame.
Cochran in the hurry up offense pump fakes throws touchdown Dublin.
Brandon Taylor Well, I spoke a little too soon.
It would have been nice if Lovett could have kept him out of the end zone.
Dublin is just on fire here offensively this afternoon, scoring with lightning lightning quickness.
Unbelievable.
Watch Cochran pump fake Now the touchdown toss Taylor right between two receivers Excellent fundamental football team and the kick is blocked Drew Briggs which draws a cheer from the left side 41 to 7 Dublin less than a minute left in the first half.
I wish I knew a better word to use.
Other than Dublin's offense and defense on both sides of the ball day has been relentless.
Oh, it really has.
And again, you knew coming in Dublin was the top scoring team in the region and defensively they also held their opponents to the least amount of points.
So everybody knew what the game plan was as far as what Dublin could do.
Excellent player on both sides of the football and they have shown a dominance here.
This afternoon Lovett's going to try to get something here with inside of a minute to go and be great for them.
If they could take just one positive with him into the locker.
Room, they really need that.
Grigg is going to kick it off and deep to receive once more.
Andre Hicks.
He's standing back at about the nine grigg's with a driving kick and Higgs will take it.
At the eight.
Got a block, got a save and returns it up to the 44.
Now there's a positive.
Drew Griggs the kicker had to make the stop.
Oh, a nice.
Run back by Hicks too.
Just to get it close to midfield.
And with 48 seconds we'll see what their clock management offense is like here.
Nice job after the catch got it up across as he as he broke it out to the left side of the field find a little bit of open space trying to cut it back inside those pursuers on special teams.
Not going to let them get up past the midfield thing but you know, they've got to feature Hicks a little bit more in the offense.
He's had some success running the football here today, but hasn't had maybe as many carries as some people might expect.
First and then Lovett Meyer back at the 38 going to run the little option.
The Hicks up at about the 49 little Utah pass shovel pass.
A lot of people called it the Utah Pass Shovel pass.
It's a very effective play against a well, pursuing defense, much like a screen.
Again, got to get Hicks more involved in the offense, get him some more touches.
He has proven he is explosive.
Oh, a completion and it knocked loose back at about the 48.
Did they call it a completion or no?
Yes, it's a completion.
And Dublin gets the ball back.
Justin Cyprian on the reception and Jamon and Morris on the hit.
And a hard hit.
It was forcing the ball to pop loose and the white jerseys were there for the recovering.
46 yard line.
Corcoran sends a man in motion.
Rolling left looking to throw and going to be.
Thrown at him at the 43.
Brian Stockton on the stop.
Gain was about to 6 seconds left and Dublin calls timeout well.
For a split second I thought they were going to look downfield see if he had an open receiver and then ran out of time.
We'll see what they want to do coming out of the time out huddle right here.
They're already up 41 to 7.
Second down in about seven or eight.
And I think that's academic at this point.
This game could also be viewed live on the TV Internet site around the world at WW w dot gp-b dot org.
Just follow the links to connect to the game.
Every game will be archived and available later on the Gp-B website as well.
That's WW WQ gp-b dot org.
Here's Cochran in a shotgun formation back at midfield pressure to.
Roll court and throw back at the 48 for a loss on the play.
Doug Stonecipher With the stuff.
Well we have played a half.
And Dublin really they've 41 to 7.
Very dominating first half time.
Dublin marching band is next will be right back at the Georgia Dome.
Welcome back to the Georgia Dome where at halftime 41 to 7 Lovett leads let's go down to the sidelines to our sideline reporter Lisa Weise.
Joining me now is Coach Jones at Dublin High School.
And I know you all have a substantial lead.
What do you tell your players the halftime to keep up this momentum?
Well, I think they got to understand that there's no tomorrow, so you can't back up and let them get back in this football game last week, we had a 21 nothing lead at the half turn it over the first two series.
Let them get back in it.
You know, if we can come out and control the football on the ground and eat up a lot of clock, I think we'll get a chance.
Play for a state championship.
And good luck to you in the second half, Coach.
Thank you.
Tommy, back to you.
Thank you, Lisa.
Now, here's the Dublin High School Fighting Irish Band under the direction of Louis Foster original Ferguson assistant, the band director, and James Nuss, assistant band director.
The Dublin High School Fighting Irish Band, first.
That's the Dublin High School Fighting Irish Band.
Now let's go down to the sidelines.
Lisa Weise.
Lisa.
Joining me now is Louis Foster, the band director.
And talking about your band, I understand that they've done some great things this year as well.
Absolutely.
We're very proud of them.
It's a very fine senior class and they recently won on two weekends about 26 trophies and awards for marching competition, super ratings, sweepstakes awards, that sort of stuff.
We're proud of this band.
Then how did you prepare for this?
Did you use some of the stuff that you used in competition over the years, or is this something new that was made up just for the dome?
Absolutely.
This is a show that we basically started working on July.
We changed it from week to week, that sort of thing.
But basically, this is the competition show that we started preparing in July.
So how do you come up with your ideas?
What's your motivation for show competition wise?
We listen to a lot of music, listen to a lot of it.
And as a staff, we sit down and and listen and think what suits our and what our crowd might like and also what judges might like a competition to sort of a balance between competition and entertainment.
All right.
Well, thank you and good luck with your band for the rest of the year.
And let's send it back out to you.
Thanks, Lisa.
We're at halftime.
It's 41 Dublin seven, love.
We love it.
We are at the Georgia Dome.
This is game one of the semifinals, game two tomorrow afternoon at three early county, Charlton County.
We'll be back after a break.
We're back at the Georgia Dome where it's not good news for love it.
Great news for Dublin 41 to 7.
Your score here at halftime, Dave.
Well, just been an outstanding football game if you're a fan of Dublin.
They have just been offensively and defensively dominant the offense so the play of the offensive line has really been dominating Tommy.
All right.
Let's go down to the sidelines once more.
Here's Lisa Wiese.
Joining me now is Billy Peeples, the headmaster at the Lovett School.
And just a few minutes ago, he was chanting your name in the stands.
How exciting is this for for the school, for the community, for everyone?
It's been an incredibly exciting week, Lisa, since we found out last Friday night we'd have the chance to come to the heralded dome.
The whole student body seems to have been smiling all week, particularly brought smiles today and anticipation of coming.
And we probably have 80% of our student body here and all of our faculty and hundreds of alumni parents, former parents.
It's a great show of support for our team.
It's been a lot of fun.
It really has.
You know, your school only has about, I believe, 600 students in it, but yet your turnout's incredible.
Tell me a little, about the generations and generations of players and players that come here.
We've got 600 folks in the upper school and multiple generations represented.
And the next gentlemen, you're going to talk is a is from a previous generation that played football at at Lovett.
But we've got three and four generations here at well represented in our school family and certainly represented here today.
All right.
Well, thank you so much.
Thank you.
Also joining me is Frank Wilson.
Now, Frank, you were a former lion.
You played in the 1970 championship.
Team a long time ago in a galaxy far away.
And then your son was also a student here.
He graduated in 2000.
He was All-State linebacker.
He was also wrestling state championship.
I understand.
He also went on to go to play at the Air Force Guard.
And now he's a marine.
He is he is executive officer of a company of light armored reconnaissance Marines in Iraq, in Anbar, very, very proud of him and and all the people that are serving with him over there, serving our nation.
Talk a little bit about that and his decision to go over there.
And then so know be there twice.
Well, Frank was an individual who always understood that all the freedoms and the prosperity and the opportunities we have in this country come at a price.
And he understood history and he felt like it was important as a citizen of this nation to serve and and decided to go to the Air Force Academy and then into the Marine Corps.
And it's a privilege to serve this nation wherever they send him.
Do you know when he's expected back home?
The president's schedule would be for his battalion to rotate back in mid April of 2017.
I know he's done a lot of great things throughout his life that made you proud.
Ever your wildest dreams.
Did you think this is where his life would take him?
No, I actually never did.
But he's he's I've always been proud of him and he's always surprised me.
He's done everything from singing dance on the stage to Russell to serve his nation in the United States Marine Corps and just always very proud of him, whatever he does.
Thank you so much.
And we wish your son the best of luck and hopefully you'll hear from him by Christmas.
Thank you so much.
Tommy, back to you.
Thank you, Lisa.
And thank you for those great interviews.
Dave, let's take a look at the first half highlights here as Devlin leads 41 to 7 in this double semifinal while.
Tommy Beautiful roll out on the pass Morris the catch then he builds up a whole lot of steam right over the defender into the end zone for the touchdown.
Again, beautiful handoff.
Powering it right up the middle is Thomas Barnes.
This one here going to go to Wilcher there featured back turns, heads right up, avoids a couple of tacklers and drags one with him into the end zone again.
And here's the touchdown for Lovett Nice run there by West Barnwell It was a two touchdown run, but Dublin comes right back.
Wilcher again going to get the call Going to head straight up the middle for the touchdown Nice pump fake on the pass Thrown to the end zone and caught in between two defenders there by Brandon Taylor and those are the touchdowns there for Dublin.
Here are the stats at halftime.
Dublin, of course, leading 40 to 7 passing yardage won 21 to 36.
The rushing yardage won 7249.
Total Yards tells the story here at halftime to 91 to 85, Dublin 41, Lovett seven at halftime.
We'll be back with the second half after we take break.
On Dee Dee Dee.
Yes.
All right.
Let's go down to the sidelines here.
Is that Lisa Weiss?
Thanks, Tommy.
Joining me now is Coach, champ and coach.
What do you tell your players in the half in the locker room at the halftime when you're down by this much?
Oh, well, we basically told them we need to learn from the mistakes we made in the first half and then do the best we can in the second half to get those corrected and try and improve upon it.
Right now, more than the scoreboard, we're just playing for pride, and I think that's really important to our kids.
And I think we're going to come out and do exactly that in the second half.
All right.
Good luck, Coach.
Thank you.
Tommy, back up to you.
Very nicely said, Dave.
You know, as good as I do, this is not a pretty situation if you're a Levit fan, 41 to 7, it was probably their worst nightmare to happen.
This is a very talented Dublin football team, very talented Lovett team.
A couple of turnovers coming up tonight at.
6:00, you got the North Side Eagles, another fine football team from a red state, 13 and oh against Saint Pius Golden Lions.
They're 11 and two.
That's our 6:00 game tonight in class for a then tonight at nine it's the Marist or eagles 12 and one against of the surprise teams in the dome east Paulding Raiders they finished three and seven last year boy they have gotten them a new coach and they have really set the woods on fire here in the last six or seven weeks.
East Paulding also coming in at 12 and one that should be another barn burner tonight at 9:00.
Well again for Lovett.
As Coach Muschamp said, playing for pride right now.
Don't worry about the score.
Don't worry about points up on the scoreboard.
You're down 41 seven.
You're you are you're playing for pride.
You want to play the best football you can play coming up here in the third and the fourth quarter and leave the dome, Tommy, with a positive feeling.
You don't want to leave the dome and your on a negative, you want to go out on a positive.
Ultimately, if you lose the game, that's enough of a negative.
But with what they have done this season, putting together an outstanding season, you want to do the things you've done well on the field for the next two quarters in order to get out of the dome with a nice feeling.
Well, you know, they want to get a positive out of this.
They were trailing last week, albeit seven to nothing against Blackley County out at Lakewood Stadium.
They came back, fell behind 14 to 7, came back and won.
And earned the right to come here to the dome at 21 to 14.
This is a quality football team.
You take away two or three of the turnovers and the short scoring drives that Dublin did not need to have to have.
And you have a totally different football game.
There's nothing nice about a 41 to 7 score when you're on the seven end of the score.
Dave, you know that, well.
I'd like to see you love it to use Andre Hicks a little bit more.
He's the featured back of five nine junior rushed for over 1100 yards hasn't really been he's made some nice plays here in the first half, but not as many as I thought.
And I'd like to see he and Meyer try to mix it up.
Some of the little passes off to the flats, little, you know, passes through a little handoffs.
You know, I'm talking the snap, not trick plays, but just try to mix it up and try to knock the Dublin defensively off.
The fact that they know what's coming on almost every play right.
The little screen pass, the shovel, pass.
Shovel.
Pass, right.
A little hitch passes to wide receivers and stuff and Lovett's very talented in being able to do that they they certainly have that chance to do that in the second half and make this a respectable score.
All right.
We're almost set to start the second half, 41 to 7, quarter three Briggs with the kick down to the back to 18 Love it twisting turning up to about the 24 That's Max Williams on the return there and doubling down hurriedly on the coverage.
On special teams.
Anthony Thomas number 50 good pursuit that time he got down there early wrapped them up around the ankles and brought him down, prevented him from picking up any more yardage.
All right, first down and ten, love it.
What they need here now is a good time consuming drive.
Burn some clock, get themselves back with a very positive feeling.
Well, they need.
Some good field position.
Yes, they do.
Meyer brings month wide receiver to the left.
Meyer got to run the little quick tramp right up the middle to Higgs.
The tailback or Higgs?
The tailback.
And the gain is a couple.
Well, it's nice to see Hicks get involved early.
I don't know how much success they're going to have running it straight up the middle like that.
With the speed that Hicks has, it would seem to me you want to get him to the outside just a little bit less.
Your offensive line is able to come up and open up some nice holes.
At that point, Hicks becomes very dangerous.
West Coast look now as Meyer still looks at that four three, Meyer rolling the throw, going to tuck it and be knocked out of bounds up at about the 30 right now.
Jamal Morris on the stop, you can hear that one up here.
The crunching hit that we heard up here in the booth.
But, you know, we've seen Meyer a couple of times in that first half.
No option downfield wants to keep that ball.
He picked up a number of yards on that play in the first half.
He absorbed the hit and now has him a little bit better field position just outside the 30 yard line.
Third and about five.
Meyer Back of the 24 out of the West Coast.
Look.
Meyer going to run it again.
And I think he's very close.
Yes.
He's got a first down a foot about the 35 Jamon morris on the stop so Meyer out of that California look watch the block here by 75 excellent motivation by Meyer man is he taking two shots here in the second half already?
Yeah.
The Barker at the 34.
So he knew where he had to get to and he's had some running the football to place here so far to start the third quarter.
He picks up the first down, keeps the chains moving.
First down ten just outside the 35, Meyer dropping, looking to throw fakes and got a man out there up at about the 44 yard Brad Kane on the reception eight yard gain up that about the 44 let's take another look at it.
Well the credit has got to go to the Lovett offensive line.
Look at all the time that they gave Meyer to throw that ball, had an open receiver, made a nice throw and they're close to midfield.
Gain of nine.
And this is the game plan we talked about.
This is what they needed to do and obviously they've made tremendous adjustments here at the half time formations, several different looks on offense by Lovett here early on there's the option and the give is to Hicks on the toss and Hicks has got the first down good about the 48 yard line once again very busy Jamon morris man this guy is all over the place on defense.
That time you saw Hicks try to get to the outside on the right side Morris at the corner came up and had to make the tackle.
Barnes and.
Morris really make great contributions on both sides of the ball for double I formation slot left one wide receiver to the right Meyer tries to run the quick trap to Hicks across the right side.
Very little there.
Excellent defense on that left hand side over there by Tim Wells Dublin.
Big senior offensive defensive guard there Wells who broke through the line nice pursue there as he was able to bring the runner down down a dominating there on the defensive line nice play there by 60.
Three right loss of just a little real estate Meyer brings a lot now in that shotgun formation three wides and going to run the screen Hicks going to break the tackle or two but not another and just barely get back to the line of scrimmage.
There was Tim Wells once more and of course that very familiar name, Jamon morris.
Watch how quickly Devlin closes on the reception.
Watch a little bit of trouble right there.
Nice reception by Hicks.
His speed was what he had going for him that time.
But still, as you said, struggling to get back to the line of scrimmage, a.
Lot of white jerseys and gold pants around the ball at every juncture.
Third, 11 up at the 46 formation.
Meyer looks into that four for defense dropping straight back the throw got him into.
Wide open Excellent haul right down the middle down at the 36 for Hensley.
On the reception man Meyer cut that loose Great throw right down the middle into the teeth of that Dublin defense.
And Kinsey, the senior nice job the six foot one up got that football had to hold on had his concentration because he knew that there'd be a number of white jerseys around and an impending hit coming.
A nice pass thrown right across the middle in between two defenders and his concentration helped him hold on to that football.
Kinsey with a great reception and an immediate hit.
First down, Lovett once more down at the 36 out of 1262 yards for Meyer right inside of the field.
Now the right Meyer going to run the counter.
He's got the running back on the corner down to the 24 Barnwell who had the drive at touchdown.
An excellent call.
I'm telling you, Lovett has really changed their entire game here at halftime in their approach to handling this Dublin defense.
Getting Hicks a little bit more involved offensively.
You see the handoff this time to Barnwell.
He had their lone touchdown the first half trying to break it outside.
They run him out of bounds.
They keep the chains moving.
Brandon Edmond on the tackle.
I like the use of different formations here they're not stuck in one formation Meyer dropping looking to throw got time punts fakes got a man up there in and out of the hands of forward Kinsey down at about the eight yard line and the right play called and had the man open just overshot him.
Had the right idea a little bit too much zing on that one little bit too high and he wasn't able to go up.
Make that catch.
Inside the 25 Lovett has taken the second half kickoff and they've run clock and they've gotten yardage.
That's what you want to do if you love it here in the second half slot left, Meyer Devlin rolls up.
Now on to a six man front.
MEYER Going to check off at the line of scrimmage Needs to hurry.
Generally that's going to happen when you check off a couple of times, you just don't have time to go to in the right place their five yard penalty upcoming here.
Delay of game.
On offense penalties five yards.
All right second down and 15.
Penalty aside, though, Tommy, this is the offense that I think a lot of people coming to the dome today, a lot of the Lovett fans have seen all season.
This was the offense they were looking to see in the first half.
You have to have the ball and Dublin had the ball a great deal in the first half and scored.
Meyer facing throwing screen.
Again intended for Kinsey couldn't get out of it.
I think he was actually trying to slide off of a block.
So let's see where it comes from, trying to come across the middle.
Well, they gave the two.
Tight end screens what it was.
They gave Meyer some good time.
But then Hall might call the defensive end able to break through.
Second on the team in tackles and number one in sacks.
So very, very dangerous.
Defensive player Meyer only have so much time and then finally had to let the ball go and it went incomplete.
Looked like a little grabbing of the jersey to do.
Kept Kinsey from getting there when he needed to.
De Meyer dropping the throw oh fire drills back at the 3637 yard line boy they brought everything but the kitchen sink.
Blitz called that time by Dublin and a lot of white jerseys busting through the Lovett defensive line.
Meyer had absolutely no time and then get sandwich there on third down.
So it's going to bring up fourth down, fourth and 22.
Smith and Josey, the lead culprits there, I think Will Griffith also in there fourth and a long, long, long day.
No need to punt here.
Meyer Deep snap looking, throwing over throws down at about the five yard line, looking for Jameson, smacking at him across the middle and just overshot him.
Well, at the right idea, the coverage, though, very good for Dublin and the receiver.
Not nearly down the field long enough.
All right.
Let's take a break here.
We'll return.
We are 657 left in the third quarter.
Dublin 41 M Love seven will be back best case scenario Lovett scores.
They didn't, but they did run 5 minutes and 3 seconds off the clock nice time consuming drive they well.
They had a nice drive unfortunately not able to come away with any points.
But again coming up getting Hicks involved nice mixture of the pass in the run, trying to get something going offensively.
And now it's time once again for the Lovett defense to dig in.
All right, here's Cochran.
Brings him up.
You're never familiar with Brian Wilson.
First down yardage and more across the 45 at about the 48 and out of bounds.
Noticed to one of the corners they're trying to bring him down was that's Andre Hicks who we've seen as the feature back quite a bit for Lovett here in this football game.
But again, Wilcher gets that ball is so quick that when he gets to the outside really causes problems and it ends up being a problem for the corners, the DBS, to try to go ahead and bring him down.
You know, the amazing thing is watching this Dublin football team block, they get so many blockers out in front of a running back, you can't find a running back like right there.
There's four, but an excellent defensive play, Brian Wilcher on the carry and when Rollins on the Stop the Gain is four but they just they get so many people out in front of the ball carrier and that is the effectiveness of a sound running game.
Well, they'll tell you again, a lot games, one in the trenches along the lines and you just can't say enough about the offensive line of Dublin, the job that they have done so far here this afternoon, really throughout the regular season in the playoffs and just creating holes and creating vacancies there for these backs.
Tossed sweet to Wilcher corralled at about the 45 yard line excellent pursuit that time by Johnny topping by love it.
Love it a good job pursuing that time.
They force the runners up to the outside portion of the field, then close the gaps.
Brian Stockton also out, out there, third down and about two now nose of the ball just inside the 45 at the 46 yard line.
Brian Belcher, 880 yards, one touchdown, ten yards per and he plays defense as well Cochran rolling the throw got Belcher and he dropped it at about the 41 of the 42 had him out there had the right idea and it was a lot of green grass up the right sideline.
Just took his eye off it for one split second rolling up, made a perfect pass.
He let them had his hands out there just off his fingertips.
Had the room.
Cochran will kick it away here.
Haven't seen this that often, do they have.
No, I don't think we've seen this formation by Dublin, though.
We have seen many formations by Dublin.
They're basically a wing tee set, but they run so many variations of the wing to return to normal way to Team Cochran, that kick, high kick.
And and it hit a little bit player on the leg.
And Dublin recovers.
Boy when it rains it pours.
And it really does.
Well once again Dublin catches the break and they get outstanding field position here with 520 to play.
Third quarter This is amazing they kick it all the exchange of possession they keep the ball.
Here we go.
Take a look at it.
Watch it just strikes the leg of beloved player Tommy Moran just doing his job, blocking for the return guy.
Amazing.
Here's Dublin.
It is right up the middle to Thomas Barnes.
And Barnes is crack down as he gets to the 21 yard line.
Looked like Andy head on the stop there.
And he had the anchor of that Lovett defense not going to let Barnes break free.
That time he tried to cut out to the outside portion of the field on the right side, and Barnes was able to get in there and make the stop.
Going to see a number of backs probably as this game goes along, as they have really featured four or five different backs in this game behind Wilcher with a big lead, an opportunity now.
In motion Cochran throwing got him in a wide open touchdown Brandon Edmond wide open in the end zone There's no way you can cover that They have three backs to the right side and they just run the little crossing patterns down there.
Let's take another look.
Watch this.
Cochran rolling.
And wide open in the end zone Edmond there to make the catch make the you know the thing about doubling that timing they make it look easy.
They really do and Griggs will kick it up and the kick it good Dublin 48 Love it seven another one of those short touchdown drives for Dublin and they have been infamous for that and in this game and have been all season, if you make a mistake, they're going to hurt you.
Well, besides the fact that they've played well here this afternoon on both sides of the ball, they have been the benefactor of just about every break that we've had in this game.
No doubt.
And they've taken advantage of them.
Sure.
And that's the sign of a good football team.
When you take advantage of the opportunities the other team gives you.
And Lovett has had a lot of things go wrong, like the ball striking the leg.
And look, there are two plays, 23 yards, 24/2 scoring drive coach's dream.
Well, Santa did make it to the dome.
Have you been a good boy this year?
The fans want who you talk to.
I think that's pretty much the case with everybody.
Is it that the Wilson did make it to the dome to bring some holiday cheer?
Hopefully he's on the Lovett side.
Tell me what we were.
Talking about as far as the beneficiary of off the breaks really in this game, it's been all about field position.
It seems like every time we turn around, if they have not created it on their own, the turnovers by Lovett have given Dublin just outstanding field position.
That's why they've been able to score so quickly when they get the ball.
They do score in a hurry.
Griggs with the kid Williams on the return, finding his way back to the 25 yard line where Michael Hall, whose number we've called many times, makes the stop.
All the defensive end came into the game.
Second in tackles for this Dublin team was 67 also led them with five sacks so really just an outstanding defensive player but also a huge contributor to their special teams unit.
The amazing thing about Dublin I think is probably the fact that they have so many players that go both ways.
They don't rest them that much.
They play offense and they play defense.
Obviously they take 15 great athletes and put them on both sides of the ball.
Which allows you to get in and build a rhythm.
Yes, it does.
MEYER Speaking of breaks, interception by Rishard Smith and yet another Dublin touchdown.
And we talk about the breaks Nice coverage that time by Smith He went up and got that football hopefully we'll see it on the replay but he went up and got that football came down and carried that speed.
Just carried him right into the end zone course.
He had great momentum to begin with when he came down with the interception.
It looks as if Dublin is at the right place and every moment we just talking about if if anybody had gotten a lot of breaks today, it would have been Dublin.
They they didn't need them, but they got them anyway.
They have really turned up a notch here in the second half and Griggs with the kick up and good Dublin now leads 55 to 720 yard interception return for touchdown Let's take another look at it.
So Meyer will go up the ball is batted it comes down and right into the hands of Smith just a little bit there almost it was almost taken away as well by Ford Kinsey who was in the direct area.
But Smith came down with it.
He had a better vision on the ball.
Kinsey had his back to the throw and then all Smith to do was take it into the endzone.
I guess we could call it the luck of the Irish.
You are correct.
Dublin Irish man have they had a great game today?
Still 421 to go in the third quarter Dublin leading 55 to 7.
Big play there for Rishard Smith.
Probably one of his big highlights to come into the dome and make an interception and take it into the end zone.
I think probably if if you're a Lovett fan, even in your worst nightmare, you wouldn't expect this to happen.
You know, Dublin, of course, a great football team.
But Levin has been a very good football team, 11 and two coming in down here, six at the 24, trying to negotiate his way out of trouble at the 27 yard line.
Those is his momentum was stopped.
He ran into the back of one of his own teammates and that kind of it stopped him for a split second.
And in that split second, special teams for Dublin able to key it on on Hicks on the return.
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Meyer Gibbs to Hicks up at the 27 yard line.
Senior linebacker Will Griffith there made that stop we've seen him on on some big tackles here as he was not going to give Hicks any time to build up any steam or try to jump into one of those created by the offensive line.
They were right there to make the hit right after he took the football from Meyer.
No gain on the play.
Now, Meyer brings them up in the shotgun, said good snap looking, throwing behind the receiver Look for Brad Kane up for the bounce the 38 yard line.
Quite a bit under a little bit of pressure to release that ball, throw it a second or two too early and, ended up throwing behind a few feet from the intended receiver.
You see Coach Muscat on the sidelines talking to Meyer when he talked to him when he came to the sideline saying, just settle down, settle down.
You could almost read the hand signals there.
I think really what the what he said at halftime is so appropriate here.
They're playing for pride.
The flag goes down delay of game.
DeLay of game.
On the offense.
Five yard penalty.
And our referee is Bill Palmer umpire Landy Ewing, Mitch Palmer, line judge is Bill and Z and Lee, the back judge Will Jones and our field judge today, Nathan Banks, Northeast Georgia officials and they've done an excellent job.
Meyer protects him, collapses Jack Whittle from the left hand side.
Boy again, those are the defenders there for Dublin, just not giving Meyer much time at all.
He's been very dominating performance here by Dublin's defensive.
Yeah.
Change of possession yet again.
Cox will kick it away.
See how quickly they come in on the left side.
That Dublin defense has been a handful, not that the offense has, and that's a good kick by Thomas Cox, taken by Richards Smith up at the 41 yard line.
And you're back again with field position.
Well, there they are.
They spot the ball at the what about this between the 43 and the 44 yard line as easily and as quickly as Dublin has moved the ball, they've had outstanding field position almost the entire game.
Right now we're going to start looking at some new numbers for Dublin, of course, with that 55 seven lead brand new quarterback Rashad Smith will run the squad from here and he goes to the halfback across the side over there.
That's Patrick Horn, the man in motion.
Smith and the quarterback.
He's the one that just had the interception return for the touchdown.
Obviously a nice reward for him.
Sure is.
So Cochran taken all the snaps he needs to take today.
Only if Dublin gets into a punting situation.
I would assume second down in about seven.
Now Smith brings them up man in motion to get the little counter trapped inside to Rollins.
And Rollins is going to break a tackle.
And another and another and touchdown Devlin an.
Unbelievable run that time by And Drake is Rollins the junior running back boy broke four of five tackles Here's a replay He took the handoff there from Smith They opened up a nice hole right up the middle.
There's one tackle broke away.
Broke away from one right there.
He's got some room, some help there, broke away from that one.
And then one last attempt to bring him down by number ten to Jameson Suzuki.
Not successful and he's in the end zone.
Amazing.
And the new kicker as well, Braxton Canada with the extra point.
And it's good Dublin 60 to love it seven Here's another look at it Great blocking up front one tackle good block another tackle broken there and yet another I'm telling you this is this has been an amazing display day.
Well Dublin today just a very, very enjoyable team to watch.
I mean, this has been obviously not if you're down below us on the Lovett side, but if you're a Dublin fan, boy, the the muscle and the power that this team has shown, not only on defense, but really on the offensive side of the ball, the middle, the ability to move the ball as well as they have very, very encouraging for this Dublin football team.
Well, the amazing thing about Dublin, you know, generally some teams have a problem and you know what that problem is?
They're either very soft on defense in certain areas.
They're one or two players, short on offense.
The kicking game is not there.
This is a complete high school football team.
Trust me, there are no weaknesses.
Griggs will kick it off deep and Hicks will pick it up at about two three and got a block but only going to get back to the ten yard line.
Good coverage down there, Ganado O'Neil down on the cover.
Again, you can't say enough about the special teams unit the way they've played all afternoon for this Dublin football team.
That may be one time.
The Hicks run back is the only time that Lovett has had decent field position other than the one here early in the second half.
But in that first half, only one time do they have good field position.
Brand new quarterback into the ball game will battle will take over the reins for the Lovett School here as they take over at the ten battle takes a snap we're going to run it to the left hand side.
A gain of about.
Not really that much their battle to try it decides to keep it keep it himself and try to take it through the middle.
All right.
Let's go down to the sidelines and Lisa Weise.
Lisa.
Thanks.
Hanging out the last name battle sounds familiar to you.
It should Will Battle's grandfather is Bill Battle.
He was a former head coach at the University of Tennessee.
He was there from 1970 to 1976, and he led the volunteers to five bowl games so will battle and his grandfather Bill battle Thomas back to you back to you.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
And with a name like Battle One, an appropriate name for a quarterback.
And again, to John Stanford and Stanford trying to turn the corner.
But a loss on the play fumble.
Oh, no.
LeBron recovers.
Oh.
Oh, my.
Trent Barnes on the recovery.
Another look at it.
And off tried to get to the outside.
There's that ball loose Rollins pulls it loose and the recovery.
Rollins the one that really made the play and you know they teach that what to do when you're tackling.
Trying to get in there and jar that ball loose.
And he did it perfectly time.
Dublin again Tommy outstanding field position Smith.
Gives to the wing back at the nine yard line Sammy Daniel on the carry.
Dublin has put a lot of players in the game here.
Well, obviously you put this many points on the scoreboard.
It's going to afford you the opportunity.
Coach Holmes The opportunity to get some of the underclassmen into the ball game, get them some game, experience and give them the excitement of play of the game.
Here, the Georgia Dome.
Rashard Smith hands to the left side, to Patrick Horn, the wing back from the right hand side and a flag down.
I won't speculate on what that ID is, but check it up front.
Yeah.
How exciting for the lower classmen to be able to come in and get some playing time in this game.
Well, generally what you get if you are an underclassman and not one of the regular players.
Formation on the offense, penalties, five yards replay second round.
Illegal formation the replay generally what you get is a free meal and a bus ride and the end and a very good seat on the sidelines.
SMITH Dropping the throw high and above the hands of the intended receiver Kelsey Fordham.
FORDHAM At the wide receiver position and Rashad Smith, obviously the heir apparent would Cochran graduates at quarterback.
Getting some valuable game experience as the signal caller here in the second half.
Sophomore year Dublin now down at the 15 yard line as Patrick Horn on the carry is going to bring up fourth that's the end of the third quarter Dublin 62 love it.
Seven back at the dome after this one get back of the Georgia Dome where Dublin lead Lovett by a score of 62 to 7.
And it hasn't just been one of those games.
It's been one of those games.
Well, I don't know how many times can touch on the fact that Dublin has just been so dominating and they've also taken advantage of every break that's come their way.
Regarding turnovers.
Griggs To attempt a field goal here, the kick is up and the kick is good.
33 yarder, I would say 65 to 7.
Well again, you're at a point the game now where both coaches are going to put some of the underclassmen in the ball game, as we said, try to get them some experience.
Still a whole lot of time to go 11 five So some things that can be worked on again if you love it, we've said it before you you want to try to go out of here having done something on the positive side and you want to stay away from the turnovers and let's see if they can get something going with their offense.
All right.
Dublin going to kick it off.
Drew Griggs will kick it away.
Let's see who goes back now for love.
It is Max Williams is deep Andre Hicks also back there another number factor to think that's Taylor man might be over on this corner over here.
But imagine you want to keep it away from Hicks.
He's the one that's had a little bit of success on run backs.
No run back here as Higgs catches it in the end zone.
As well as doubling special teams play.
That was a wise decision.
Yes Very definitely at the 20.
They will begin now.
Love it.
All right.
Let's see if battle comes back in and quarterback or if they come back with Meyer.
Does have another one.
Yeah.
There comes battle back at quarterback.
Yes.
Will battle comes in at the quarterback slot and a lot of new numbers all across their West Coast look battle Gibbs right up the middle to Paul Hunt and hunt comes up near the 20 the original line of scrimmage trying to run the inside trap.
And that's going to be a little difficult think he got right back to the line of scrimmage tried to go in behind the right tackle right guard see.
If they could open up the gap there to pick up some yardage.
And he was lucky just to get back to the line of scrimmage right there at the 20.
Second down and ten information battle.
Looking over that four man front, going to run the counter to the left hand side.
And the give is to Paul Hunt, who's knocked out of bounds up at about the 28 yard line, Curtis Byrd on the stop.
Also some help over there from Eddie Vickers.
Running out on the left side, trying to see if they get it to the outside part of the field and open up some yardage there.
Open up some some real estate, not able to really push it out as far as they would like.
Third and about two and a half.
And Dublin's got a jump off side.
A movement on the line.
Actually, it was a nice pick up on that last run run before that.
And obviously a good cadence change there by battle the quarterback Dublin jumps offside five yard penalty.
Prior to the snap they fence encroachment five yard.
First down ten now for love it up at the 32 yard line they're using the running clock I understand battle formation gives to the tailback right up the middle across the 37 or the 38 Paul Hunt with some good yardage.
And that given the ball game here and giving a really good account of himself on a couple of three good runs here.
Well he really has it.
Again, credit the left side of the line.
They've done a good job getting off the ball, opening up some lanes, opening up some gaps in there.
And Hunt's done a good job coming in the ball game and is able to take advantage of what that lines been opening up for gain of nine.
On the play battle brings him up yet again two wide receivers and an eye formation look to do a four for three defense You've got to run the quarterback sneak and be very close to the first down ten yard O'Neale on the stop for the Dublin Irish.
Look to be successful from our vantage point up here in the TV booth.
It is a first down.
So battle's committees some success keeping the chains.
Moving and the clock moving first down and ten love it.
Lions West Coast Set three wideouts Dublin still in that four four going to run the draw not much there Paul Hunt on the carry you.
Got to say didn't fool the Dublin defensive line that time.
They were right there to make the stop.
Not at all.
Myles Allen and Grant Hinks on the start.
Another look at it right up the middle.
Very little there, very aggressive Dublin defense battle back at the 35.
Checking off now changing the play.
Snap's going to fake it and fumble it and fall on it up at the 41 yard line.
He maintains possession.
He has a lot of real estate in front of him.
He really does.
At that point.
You lose that football, you know, you got some white jerseys going to be looking to recover.
All you've got to focus on is getting on top of that football.
He had the right idea trying to break free ball, knocked out of his hand and he did a great job following the ball, diving on top and keeping Dublin from recovering and again having good field position.
Quinton Carter on the Strip there battle gets him to jump off side yet again as big number 71 jumps off side for Dublin five yard penalty upcoming once again.
Prior to the snap defensive encroachment five.
Yards, third down and about six and a half.
Now.
So the running clock time running out obviously on Lovett but see if they can put together a nice long sustained drive here in this final quarter battle.
Berkshire signal's going to fake and run the left side, twisting and turning, and he's very close to the first down good effort by young Mr. Battle.
Well, he spun.
Did you see those two spin moves he made?
Yes, I did.
It look like a single wing tailback there, didn't he?
Yep.
And they pick up the first down.
So again, they keep those chains moving as the clock continues to run.
Now, Tommy, under 6 minutes.
All right.
First down and 1011 down at the 48 yard line battle.
Getting the instructions from coach must camp on the sideline again is right up the middle.
Paul Hunt, I believe on the carry, is that 16 or 18?
Let's check them all.
Hunt on the carry.
Have been number 16.
Very little game.
Yeah a love it has not had that much success no matter which defensive line starting or the backups have been out there running ahead into the Dublin line.
Not very much there, north and south against Dublin, still very little on the corners, to be quite honest.
You know, they've been dominating on the defensive side today.
All right.
Battle Bartosz signals now going to run the sprint draw and that, of course, is not there.
Quick pursuit to Paul Hunt on the sprint draw.
Evan Melton on the stop for Dublin.
Smell that one out right away, third and long.
Another one of the Dublin sophomores getting some play time here in the fourth quarter.
They won't forget this.
This will be one of those memorable occasions getting to play as a sophomore.
The underclassmen formation, young battle, good fake looking to throw throws a screen complete.
Got somebody out there first down yardage and more Taylor Mack goes all the way down to the 28 yard line.
Excellent call and excellent execution, I might say, by the love at school.
Boy Mack, the five seven freshman the quarterback battle in a little bit of trouble you know he's he's got some defenders coming his way nice pass out on the wing there and then Mack just turned and made a nice run back up.
He's got them in some pretty good field position right now at the 29 yard line.
Excellent middle screen there.
The way he just kind of slid out of the middle, fell open over there and an excellent delivery by battle with a touch stepping off at the line of scrimmage, changing.
The play slot right.
And gives to Taylor Mack once more very little there I'm not sure there was a gain on that Devlin running in a lot of players defensively over there.
The game was just under a yard battle, has a puddle right up on top of the ball, directing traffic tied inside of the field to the left, barking signals rolling looking to throw.
Got a man out there, overshoots him down at about the five yard line.
Michael Steele, the intended receiver.
Boy, dangerous throw to threw into double coverage as Dublin had everybody covered downfield and for Lovett they're just lucky it wasn't picked off forced it passed a little little high anyway.
Yeah, but battle was delivering it right down there.
Let's take another look.
Yeah, he had a little arc in it there.
Ooh.
The receiver will go back and say can you bring that down just a little bit.
There's two back there.
Love it down at the 28 yard line, third and long battle, good protection looking, throwing that double coverage again intercepted and up the far sideline breaking tackles.
Look at blockers in front and out of bounds at about the 19.
Jerome Sims, a freshman defensive back with a very memorable interception and return and Dublin's back down there knocking on the door again.
But what did we see on that pass that sailed a little high on the previous play you threw into double coverage, double leverage into double coverage on that play.
Exactly.
Cannot do.
That.
And Dublin took advantage of it as they have all afternoon.
Yes, but you're bound.
To see that too.
You get a lot of freshmen on the field.
Yeah, they're going to play like freshmen and sophomores.
Rishard Smith, Matt back at about the 22 yards as the clock runs down and Dublin will advance to play the winner of Early County, Charlton County.
That game will be coming up tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 on GPB.
You and I are doing that.
I'm looking forward to it.
Smith on what could be the final play of the game There's a flag won't be the final play of the game.
Yeah, that's the final play of the game.
Running back.
You and I talked about how this one could potentially be a high scoring affair.
A lot of points.
We just didn't realize obviously until the game was played that it would be an.
Infraction on, the offense five yards.
Goal second.
Now, we did we didn't realize it would primarily be on one side.
Right.
I think we both were expecting a much closer game and Dublin is really going to feel good about this offensive output, 65 points.
And the defense really set the table for them many times and the knee down and the game is over.
This one's in the history books and it's one that many will remember.
Dublin 65 Love It.
Seven Tommy just a dominating performance.
We've talked about it the entire broadcast, offensively and defensively.
Dublin operating at will, a lot of speed in those running backs, a whole stable of backs.
Did a lot of the damage here today and defensively, boy, they just clamped down and really, except for one or two occasions, allow Lovett to get into any sort of rhythm offensively in this football game.
And they never really had except for one or two occasions, good field position.
All right.
Let's go down to the sidelines to Lisa Weise.
Joining me now is DuBose Porter, state representative.
And how exciting is this for you?
This is great.
First, great for Dublin.
Laurens County is wonderful.
This is a genius, but it hasn't really had on Who's the principal?
Elaine Connell, our state, our school superintendent for Dublin.
It's a great day for the Irish, is it?
It is a wonderful day for the Dublin Irish.
And we're so excited to go to state and we're going to win all the way.
And we appreciate our community for us.
So thank you.
Thank you so much to see you all at the championship game.
Tommy, back to you.
Thank you, Lisa.
Congratulations.
65 to 7.
Your final score, Dublin over.
Love it.
We'll be back at the Georgia Dome after this.
But back of the Georgia Dome.
Welcome back.
Where?
Where?
Dublin wins over love at 65 to 7.
Let's go down to the Lisa with the winning coach.
Joining me now is a very happy coach Holmes.
I know your motto all season has been to finish proud of these players are you?
Well they bounced out there today and we're ready to go.
There's no no question about it.
You know, I'm extremely pleased of all phases today.
I think we didn't do as good a job in our kickoff coverage as we needed.
But overall, we played great, a good, loving team, told our guys if we could establish the edge, if we could get on the edge and we could have a great day.
But, you know, this football team has bounced back from a lot of things.
They had a tough loss last year.
We were a good football team and they've got they want to try to prove and I'm very proud of them.
And one of the things I told those guys at halftime in there tonight, I thank God, looked at it when they we needed 51 points going into this game to break the state of Georgia all time record for points scored in one season last year.
They broken it in the regular season with 549 this year they broke the all time record.
So I'm proud of them for that.
Well, congratulations, coach.
Good luck at the state championship game.
And Tommy, back to you.
All right.
Thank you, Lisa.
Thank you, folks, for being us today.
Thank you.
We'll see you again later.
Final score, Dublin 65, Lovett seven.
Funding for this broadcast to the 26 Georgia High School Association football semifinals been provided in part by the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.
One, two, three.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 613 Atlanta.
Wachovia, the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Five viewers like you and the Georgia High School Association who wish to thank the Georgia Dodge Dealers, State Farm and Verizon Wireless for their support of high school sports programing on GPB GPB.
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