SWAINSBORO — Sparked by homecoming and a change in the quarterback slot, the Swainsboro Tigers (1-4, 1-2) came out hungry against the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets (1-5, 0-4) and rushed their way to a 48-13 victory.     Swainsboro went into the game averaging only nine points, but with Deante Johnson taking his first snaps at quarterback, the Tiger offense found its first win of the season behind 372 yards of rushing and a slew of big plays.
    Two players went over the century mark for the Tigers, Quan Gardner (124 total yards with 2 TDs) and Zach Daniels (134 totals yards with 2 TDs), and a third, Jemerico Bell (86 yards rushing TD), right at the cusp.
    “Basically we said, 'Hey we’re a running football team, and we’re going to put our four best running backs in our backfield and see what we can make happen.' It’s a testament to them, and they’re desire to win, and their willingness to learn a new position and put the effort in a week. They put in a lot of hours this week, and they showed the determination to come out and win and make it happen,” said coach David Johnson.
    After a quick three and out by the Jackets, Swainsboro found themselves on their own 45-yard line.  On the Tiger’s first snap Bell found the outside corner of the Jackets defense and turned up field for a 45 yard rushing touchdown.     Swainsboro tagged on another score from Gardner late in the first pushing the score to 14-0. However, a muffed punt by the Tigers gave the Jackets good field position.
    SEB started the second quarter out strong, with a 38-yard drive capped off with a nine yard pass from Burroughs, cutting into the Swainsboro lead 6-14.
    Unfortunately, the Jackets would find the rest of the second quarter unkind, as the Tigers found the end zone three times in three plays or less in under five minutes.
    Gardner would pop his second touchdown of the night with a 55-yard rush on the third play of the drive.
    On the ensuing kickoff, SEB coughed up their only turnover of the night, finding themselves in the shadow of their end zone. The Tigers struck quickly, with Johnson finding Daniels for a 24-yard touchdown pass.
    “We’ve known all year that the potential is there, and tonight I think our guys came out hungry and wanted to get that first win under our belt. We could start to see the improvements, and we’ve seen it coming the last two weeks, and tonight we got on the board early and it gave us confidence,” said coach Johnson.
    In the second half, the Tigers came out strong. After four first downs in a row, Johnson scrambled into the end zone putting Swainsboro up 41-6. The defense for both teams held the rest of the quarter silent.
    The two teams swapped scores in the fourth finishing the game 48-13, giving Swainsboro their first victory of the season.
    After the game, coach Pat Collins of SEB gave credit to Swainsboro.
    “They were looking for their first win and they played well, they’re a good football team, probably the best winless team I’ve ever coached against.  I was glad our offense got going at times early in the game, but we made mistakes that helped them and you can’t do that,” said Collins.
    “We’re going to continue to prepare and practice like we always do and keep a good enthusiasm about what were doing.  We understand the process we’re going through right now is a learning process, and we’re going to continue to work.”
    Next week the Jackets host Dodge County and the Tigers travel to East Laurens, as both teams are hunting for their second win of the season.