CANEY BAY — Fifth-ranked Fitzgerald quickly jumped out to an early 14-0 lead here Friday night and steadily pulled away for 46-14 Region 1-A victory over Brantley County.
The Herons (1-5 overall, 1-1 region) were playing for the first time since a 28-21 upset of then-No. 8 Jeff Davis at homecoming.
A region matchup with Worth County in Sylvester September 27 was cancelled because of Hurricane Helene. The game against the now eighth-ranked Rams (3-3, 1-1) has been moved to November 8.
Brantley County is open this week before heading to seventh- ranked Thomasville (5-2, 2-1). The then-No. 3 Bulldogs were beaten 28-27 by unranked Worth County last Friday night.
Fitzgerald capitalized on its first drive by going 69 yards in five rushing plays, scoring on a Victor Copeland 48-yard quarterback keeper.
The PAT was added on by Andy Godoy to give the Purple Hurricanes an early 7-0 lead with 9:36 on the first period clock.
The ensuing kick turned disasterous for Brantley County when the Hurricane’s Jason Furguson had a four-yard scoop-and-score touchdown. Godoy’s PAT was knocked through with 9:25 left showing on the first quarter clock.
A mixture of Brantley County’s passing and running game helped make a first quarter comeback to keep them in the game less than three minutes into the matchup and two scores down.
The Herons’ offense responded a little over three minutes later with its first touchdown of the night. Anthony Walker (two catches, 24 yards) and Mason Kicklighter (five carries, 26 yards) combined for 50 yards in the drive.
Kicklighter capped the drive with a three-yard run. Eli Thomas drilled the conversion kick cutting the margin in half to 14-7 with 6:05 left in the opening stanza.
Fitzgerald responded in eight plays scoring on Oreian Bly’s six-yard run with 2:15 remaining in the period. Godoy added the PAT to extend the lead 21-7.
The Herons’ offense needed just one play to respond 19 seconds later. Kaden Hendrix (6of-15, 151 yards) connected with Walker on a 78-yard scoring play with Thomas adding the PAT slicing the margin to 21-14 with 1:56 left in the first period.
The Hurricane’s next scoring drive spilled over into the second quarter. It was kept alive when Copeland connected with Nathan Cox on a fourth-andfour at the BCHS 39.
Copeland’s 25-yard scamper three plays later and ensuing two-point conversion run following a penalty against the Herons pushed the Fitzgerald lead to 29-14 10:13 before intermission.
The visitors came up with an interception of Hendrix on Brantley County’s next offensive series. Antwan Doctor picked off the pass giving Fitzgerald the ball at the Brantley County 36-yard line.
A pass interference and horse collar penalty by the Herons’ defense helped the Fitzgerald offense ease down the field. Oreian Blye’s six-yard run and Godoy’s PAT extended the Hurricane lead to 36-14 with 7:14 left in first half.
Fitzgerald ended the first half with a 23-yard field goal by Godoy as the horn sounded to take a 39-14 lead to the locker room.
The Hurricane tacked on one last score three plays into the third quarter when Copeland burst 74 yards for the score. Godoy kicked the margin to 46-14 with 9:06 to play in the period.
Officials then put the game in a “mercy rule” with a running clock the rest of the game with neither team threatening.
