Southeast Bulloch has had a tough time coming from behind to win games all year. Tuesday night a rare comeback win against Beach seemed within the Jackets grasp, but despite getting close on several occasions the Jackets came up short again falling 28-25 and seriously hurting their postseason chances.
“Our kids fought back throughout the game, and I’m very proud of them,” said Southeast Bulloch coach Barrett Davis. “We preach to our kids that a season is about a process, and all the little things matter. We had a few busts on defense that led to big plays, and little things like that proved to be the difference in the game.”
Southeast Bulloch answered the Bulldog scores throughout the game, but gave Beach some momentum just before the half, as a crucial breakdown cost the Jackets dearly.
The Yellow Jackets found themselves trailing 14-6 late in the first half, but were able to march downfield and score with just over a minute to go in the half to cut the lead to 14-12. On the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage after the Jackets kickoff, quarterback Jaylen Wells threw across the middle about 20 yards to a wide open Montrey Maynor who went the next 50 yards into the end zone untouched to give Beach a 20-12 lead at the half.
“We practiced for that specific play all week,” Davis said. “We felt like we had finally gotten some momentum, but that play really hurt us as we gave them six more points just before the half.”
The game went back and forth for most of the first half. Beach started the scoring as Antario Brown scored on a three-yard run. The extra point kick failed and the Bulldogs had a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter,
The Yellow Jackets responded going to the air as quarterback Peyton Carr hit Michael Dixon on a 25-yard fade pattern in the end zone. Jonah Jones extra point hit off the goalpost and fell short leaving the score 6-6 with 3:08 left in the first quarter.
Brown brought the Bulldogs right back as he scored on a 10-yard run. Wells then found Conte Johnson for a long two point conversion for a 14-6 Beach lead.
The Jackets then strung together a few big plays to score before the end of the first half. Carr hit Andre Evans on a 25-yard pass to get the Jackets into Bulldog territory. Jamari Daniel then reeled off an 18-yard run down to the eight yard line. Daniel capped the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run. The two-point pass attempt to Rand Morgan sailed high for a 14-12 Jacket lead with 1:08 to go in the half.
From there the Bulldogs connected on the 70-yard touchdown pass from Wells to Maynor for a 20-12 Beach lead at the half.
In the second half the Jackets marched right downfield on their opening possession. Quarterback Khristian Clark capped the scoring drive as he ran into the end zone from nine-yards out. The two point conversion run failed, and the Jackets cut the lead to 20-18.
The Jacket defense held, but the offense then gave the ball right back, as a fumble gave the Bulldogs the ball at the Jacket 38-yard line. On the very next play Wells hit Johnson for a 38-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing two-point conversion run by Wells would extend the Bulldog lead to 28-18.
Early in the fourth quarter the Jackets were able to respond. Ethan Shannon scored on a 19-yard run. Jonah Jones extra point cut the lead to three at 28-25.
The Jackets had plenty of chances to get to within Jones field goal range, but were unable to capitalize on any of them.
Good defense by the Jackets and penalties moved the Bulldogs back inside their own 10-yard line where they were forced to punt. Three straight penalties caused the Bulldogs to punt the ball three times. On the initial punt the Jackets got the ball inside the Beach 25-yard line, but offsetting penalties resulted in a re-kick.
Southeast Bulloch started its drive from the Beach 33-yard line, but was unable to move the ball into field goal range and was forced to punt with just over eight minutes to go.
A Beach fumble with just over five minutes to go in the game was recovered by Michael Dixon at the Jacket 28 yard line, giving the offense another chance. The Jackets eventually moved the ball to the Beach 35-yard line, but Carr’s fourth down pass would fall incomplete, allowing the Bulldogs to run out the clock, and win the game.
“Our kids played hard, and you can’t question that,” Davis said. “These seniors really played their butts off tonight, and I am very proud of them.”
The Jackets end the regular season Friday at Johnson with a slim chance at still making the playoffs. In order to earn a postseason berth, SEB needs to defeat Johnson and Islands must beat Windsor Forest. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
