SAVANNAH – Southeast Bulloch Coach Pat Collins made it clear he does not believe in nor does he play for moral victories.

However, his Yellow Jackets were able to walk off Savannah State University’s Tiger Stadium with their heads held high Friday night despite dropping a 33-6 decision to Class AA’s No. 1 ranked Benedictine in a non-region game.

“I can’t express how hard the kids played tonight,” Collins said. “Benedictine is the class of this geographic region. They’re extremely explosive on offense. We had to play a mistake free game to give ourselves a chance.”

Southeast Bulloch had the most explosive play of the game when Jontrell Wells went 61 yards for a touchdown and early 6-0 lead, but the Cadets converted three turnovers into touchdown drives to stymie the Yellow Jackets.

After the game Benedictine Coach Danny Britt addressed the Yellow Jackets and commended them on their play.

“You kept fighting and kept fighting,” Britt told the SEB team. “I commend you for playing well.”

Chase Walker ran for 110 yards on 28 carries for the Jackets who had 267 yards on the ground, the most the Cadets (3-0) have given up this season. Wells finished with 93.

Southeast Bulloch had the ball for 56 plays to the Cadets’ 41, but simply did not have the overall firepower to match up with a team that ran for 314 yards and threw for another 170.

Benedictine led 19-6 at the half and scored on its first two possessions of the second half to snuff out any Yellow Jacket hopes of an upset.

“I don’t like moral victories,” Collins said, “but our team can grow from this.”