Screven County’s Gamecocks scored first, but Swainsboro scored the last 31 to take a 31-7 victory in a crucial 3AA game in Sylvania Friday night. 

            The Tigers, who improved to 8-1, 5-1 in region play, need only to beat winless Metter next week to claim the 3AA title.  SCHS, who dropped to 6-3 and 4-2, have sewn up a state playoff berth but need a win over SEB next week to avoid a trip to the 1AA champion’s home field on Nov. 16. 

            The Gamecocks drove 72 yards in 13 plays on their second possession of the night, scoring on the fourth play of the second quarter when Travis Coles (14-59) bulled in from a yard out. Jim Freeman’s PAT made the score 7-0. 

            Barely three minutes later Swainsboro knotted the game with a 72-yard drive of their own culminated by an 18-yard Rashdad James to Javec King pass.  Pablo Silva added the PAT.  It was Silva who gave Swainsboro the lead for good with a 35 yard field goal with 35 seconds remaining in the first half.

            After a scoreless third quarter Swainsboro took advantage of special teams mistakes and turnovers by the Gamecocks to score three times in the final ten minutes.  James, who threw for 161 yards and a pair of scores, and Kasaskie Colman, who rushed for 106 yards on 12 carries, played keep away from erring Screven. 

            Cameron Abraham and Michael Johnson had 67 and 53 yards rushing for Screven respectively.