I had an argument leaving the Statesboro-Brunswick game with a friend I had invited to watch the Region 2-AAAA title game Friday night.
The discourse settled on Statesboro’s decision to kick an extra point rather than go for two with the lead in overtime. I’ll explain.
Brunswick, without a kicker, had gone for two all night — and for the most part all season long. So when SHS scored on its first overtime possession to go up 28-22, the argument could be made the Blue Devils should have went ahead and went for two knowing full well BHS would do the same if they so happened to score.
But I confidently disagreed — you can’t chase points.
Statesboro’s defense had played out of its mind all night, and kicking the extra point forced the Pirates to make one more play to win a region championship. Going for two says to your defense, “You’ll probably let them score and we don’t trust you can stop them on the conversion.”
The PAT by SHS was good and sure enough the Devils had a 29-22 lead. The Pirates countered, scored, and lined up for the two-point play as we all knew they would. Wide receiver Josh Coleman took the snap in the shotgun and ran to his right, was stuffed at the goal line, but had just enough push to get the ball across the plane and give Brunswick the win.
Statesboro forced Brunswick to make a play, they did by the shortest of margins, you tip your hat and play again next week.
The Blue Devils host Harris County from just north of Columbus this Friday night in the playoffs.
Under-Gators
We started this season following our eight area football teams in their quest for the state playoffs. Sadly, only two survived the regular season and have made the postseason.
Bulloch Academy romped Sherwood last week to advance to the quarterfinals. But the Gators now have to take to the road and face Piedmont in Monticello. Bulloch has been doubted all season long, and there’s no question they’ll be doubted again Friday when they face the Cougars. We wish them the best of luck.
Other teams haven’t been as fortunate. Portal and Southeast Bulloch had another tough year, while Jenkins County just barely missed the Region 3-A playoffs. Metter and Claxton had chances for upsets this past Friday, but fell against two top teams and will also be sitting home.
Finally, Screven County had a 6-4 season, but was one game short in the standings and will miss the postseason for the first time in two years. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that in any other region might’ve won a league title.
Eagle hoops
The Georgia Southern basketball teams open the season this week.
The men play today at 4 p.m. against a more-than-game Houston squad at Duke. It’s hard to gauge this year’s squad. Post-players are at a premium and guard play is going to have to be above average for Jeff Price’s crew to stand a chance. It’s early, so I’ll say the Eagles go 2-1 over three games this week.
As for the Lady Eagles, this could be the year Rusty Cram’s kids make a bit of a run. Some depth and some experience could make this team tough. They host Brewton-Parker on Saturday.
Prediction thread
After a 3-3 week, holding steady at 59-56.
Not much to choose from this weekend. I’ll give UNC the edge over Maryland and Georgia to beat lowly Auburn — barely.
As for Georgia Southern, the Eagles knock Furman out of playoff contention with, how else, an overtime win.
Shout outs
Georgia Southern soccer advanced in the SoCon tournament with a 2-1 win over Davidson Sunday. I see you.
The Falcons look more and more like a playoff team every week. I see you.
Despite the GSU volleyball team’s 3-0 loss to Charleston, Sunday, the Eagles are still holding tight to third place. I see you, too.
