Pepperell didn’t win the game but running back Devyn Collins had a night to remember.
Collins, a 5-foot-7, 175-pound junior, set a state record with 485 rushing yards in 34-32 loss to Rockmart. Collins carried 46 times and scored five touchdowns, but the Dragons dropped to 1-5.
Rockmart ended a five-game losing streak thank to the running of Jermonte Thompson (233 yards, four touchdowns, and J.C. Lovelace (115 yards).
The previous state record was set by Don Calloway of Miller County, who rushed for 476 yards in 1999. Collins became the 13th player to surpass 400 yards in records maintained by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. He is he second player from Pepperell on the list, joining Janier Ferguson, who ran for 402 yards against Armuchee in 2011.
In another game that provided offensive thrills for both sides.
West Hall and East Hall combined for more than 900 yards in offense, with West Hall winning 51-22 and staying tied for first place in Region 7-AAA.
West Hall (5-1, 2-0) accumulated 509 in offense, with three backs rushing for at least 100 yards: Tyquan Stathan (189), Jay Crawford (100) and Kwan Williams (100). Williams also threw a touchdown pass, caught two balls and intercepted a pass.
East Hall (2-4, 1-2) had 416 yards in offense, thanks largely to quarterback Devin Watson. The senior completed 20 of 31 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 87 yards and kept the game competitive.
It looks increasingly like Region 7 will come down to the final game between West Hall and Lumpkin County to determine a champion. Lumpkin had a nice 34-20 road victory over Fannin County on Friday.
Lumpkin County was led by Zach Mathews, who rushed for 302 yards and four touchdowns, and Bradley Womack, who added another 97 yards. Fannin got 266 yards passing from Brad Dennis and 91 rushing from Tyler Beaver.
Landon Martin scored on a 6-yard run in overtime to help No. 10 Dodge County hold off Appling County 33-27. Martin carried 22 times for 54 yards and three touchdowns and completed 6 of 8 passes for 61 yards. The Indians (7-0) also got 96 yards and one touchdown from Kyle Glover. Appling County (4-2) had exceptional efforts from running back Devon Moore (175 yards rushing, one TD) and quarterback Vernon Dasher, who completed 13 of 24 passes for 172 yards and ran for a score.
Cedar Grove continued to quietly dominate Region 4-AAA Div. A. The Saints (5-1) won their fourth straight game by defeating its oldest rival, McNair, 41-7. Cedar Grove's Jelani Woods threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints also rushed for 200 yards and LaBron Morris ran for a pair of touchdowns.
Blessed Trinity and Westminster will enter next week's Region 4-AAA Div. B showdown with undefeated records. No. 3 Blessed Trinity overwhelmed Therrell 58-14, while No. 6 Westminster thumped Decatur 52-14, as Zay Malcome scored four touchdowns and led the Wildcats' attack that totaled 415 yards.
They used to sell out Lakewood Stadium when Washington and Douglass played. And while the game doesn't attract the crowds it once did, as neither program can still be considered elite, it is more than worth noting that Washington prevailed 29-0 in the renewal of a rivalry that has been dormant since 2009. Marquise Thompson and DeMarcus Walker led the Bulldogs (3-3), who have won three straight games and have a showndown this week against Therrell to essentially take third place in Region 4-AAA Div. B.
No. 2 Calhoun continued its roll with a 55-13 win over Sonoraville. Quarterback Kaelen Riley completed 11 of 17 passes and ran for 32 yards and a touchdown to help the Yellow Jackets improve to 7-0.
No. 4 Jefferson got 245 yards and two TDs passing from quarterback Evan Shirreffs in a 51-16 win over Morgan County. Sammy Williams rushed for 123 yards and Colby Woods rushed for 115 for the Dragons (7-0). T.J. Skelton had 166 receiving yards.
Also in Region 8-AAA, No. 10 Hart County (6-0) led 41-0 at the half and cruised to a 48-7 win over East Jackson and Elbert County (4-3) bounced back from rare consecutive losses by thumping Jackson County 42-13.
A pair of Middle Georgia giants flexed their muscles on Thursday night. No. 7 Westside Macon whipped Jordan 36-7 and No. 5 Peach County toyed with Kendrick 60-8.
Westside (7-0) ran for 233 yards and threw for 232 yards, with Marcel Williams tossing five touchdown passes, three of them to Gerimie Mitchell.
Peach County (7-0) was led by Keyshawn Lowe, who ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Robert Allen, who completed 13 of 15 passes for 103 yards and ran for two scores. Otha Redding was the defensive star, picking up two fumbles and returning them for scores.
No. 8 Central Carroll improved to 6-0 with a 66-7 homecoming win over Haralson County.
About the Author
