How Jenkins' Cinderella run continued as 5 Savannah teams advance to state quarterfinals
Jenkins limped into the playoffs as a No. 4 seed after losing its regular season finale at Statesboro 35-0 and nobody believed the Warriors had much of a chance in the postseason.
Nobody but the Warriors.
On Friday night, the Cinderella run continued for the ''Road" Warriors as Jenkins knocked off host Dutchtown, a No. 3 seed, 28-27. The win, on a round-trip road trip of about 6.5 hours, came a week after Jenkins knocked off No. 1 seed Arabia Mountain 14-13. The Warriors are one of two No. 4 seeds, along with Cass in Class 5A, still alive in all eight classifications in the GHSA playoffs.
Jenkins improved to 5-7 and will be on the road again to face Cartersville (12-0), ranked No. 4 in Class 5A in the state by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, on Friday. It's the fourth time the Warriors have advanced to the state quarterfinals in school history, and the first since 2019 when they made their deepest run to the semifinals.
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Jenkins coach Tony Welch, in his third year leading the program, said the Warriors got it done behind an array of running backs who got the job done -- including Jayaun Albert, Joe Polite, Sylvester Harris and Ryan Scott.
Lorenzo Cowan, the senior defensive end headed to Kentucky, had three sacks and Jeremiah James had 2.5, Welch said.
"We blocked an extra point with 4:10 left, and then we went with the heavy set offensively with Brandon Baxter, Harris and Scott at running back, and we move James from receiver to quarterback in that situation," Welch said. "And we were able to run out the clock."
Jenkins went up 14-0 early, but Dutchtown came back, just as the Warriors had seen them do all season in their film study.
"But we just played with unmatched intensity," Welch said. "It's a great feeling because the guys have bought in from the beginning. We played the toughest schedule to be prepared for this time of the year.
"Now we have Cartersville, and we're happy to be in this moment," Welch said. "We've gotten better in every phase of the game and we're going to keep moving forward. We're one of the best eight teams left, and we're ready to put it on the line."
Savannah Christian 33, Morgan County 10
The Raiders, ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, went on the road and looked impressive in a win over No. 7 Morgan County, which ended the season with a 10-2 record.
SCPS improved to 10-2 and will be on the road to face No. 5 Lumpkin County (12-0) next week.
Running back Zo Smalls had another huge night for the Raiders with three touchdowns -- including a 40-yard run for the final Raider touchdown. The junior entered the game with 1,294 yards rushing and now has 26 total touchdowns on the year.
"I think we played pretty decent, bit you're never going to have that perfect game," said Smalls, who has had six three-touchdown games on the season. "Our linemen did their thing -- they kept pushing. A lot of people doubted us in this game and thought they might upset us because they were 10-1, but we said, 'Nah.' We've got a team that never gives up, and we showed it."
Another dangerous playmaker, Kenry Wall, provided the other Raider touchdown with a 50-yard punt return for a score. The junior has returned three punts for scores this year and has 19 total touchdowns.
Ethan Byrd connected on a 37-yard field goal and converted all four of his extra-point attempts for SCPS.
Bryan County 34, Pelham 8
The breakthrough season continued as host Bryan County rolled to a win over visiting Pelham. Bryan County has already made school history with its first region crown, first nine-win season and first playoff win -- and has now advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time.
Bryan County improved to 11-1 and will host No. 3 ranked Commerce (11-1) in a quarterfinal matchup Friday.
Sean Kelly Hill hit Tanner Ennis with a 48-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to break an 8-8 tie and Bryan County never looked back.
Carson Nunn had a 42-yard scoring run, and Austin Clemons had three rushing touchdowns, the longest from about 25 yards out.
"I think the key for us was the work we've done in the weight room," said Cherard Freeman, in his fourth season leading the program. "They guys have been dedicated to working out, getting their bodies in shape -- and that work pays off in the second half. This is going to be a big one against Commerce next week for our team and our community, and we're looking forward to it. I'm getting ready to watch their film right now."
OTHER SCORES
Class 4A
Benedictine 31, LaGrange 7
Starr's Mill 45, New Hampstead 27
Class 3A
Calvary Day 49, Thomasville 0
GIAA
Class A semifinal
Robert Toombs 49, Memorial Day 8
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Jenkins football wins on road; Savannah Christian, Bryan Co. advance
