As if having to travel four and a half hours to Shellman for a football game wasn’t bad enough, First Presbyterian Christian Academy on Friday also had to face a 5-4 team — Randolph Southern — that has scored 262 points so far this season.
Despite a good showing in the first half, the Patriots gained control of the second half and held on to win, 35-14.
The Highlanders trailed 15-0 when they were able to get the ball off an interception. Highlander DeAngelo Streeter turned on the afterburners and charged downfield for 80 yards and a touchdown. FPCA then converted for two.
The Patriots marched downfield again and attempted to add points just before half time, but Domonique Kirkley intercepted a Patriots’ pass in the end zone, killing the scoring drive.
In the second half, the Highlander managed to score off an option run by Roberts but the Patriots kept pounding away at the Highlanders and earned the 35-14 win.
“Those were big plays in the first half,” Highlander coach Andy Yanzetich said. “Domo made an interception, DeAngelo had and 80-yard run. Herbert had an interception and later scored a touchdown … we had 12 players … it was 15-8 at the half and then we ran out of gas after that.”
Yanzetich said he was happy his team didn’t give up any big plays, but the Patriots kept moving the ball on long drives.
“They just kept pounding away and eventually, by the fourth quarter, we just ran out of gas,” he said.
As the fourth quarter drew to a close, fatigue fueled a few turnovers, keeping the home team in the game.
FPCA is 0-9 overall and 0-4 in Region 2-A of the Georgia Independent School Association. Randolph Southern is 5-4, 2-2 and in fourth place in the region behind Frederica, Toombs and Crisp Academy.
The Highlanders will finish the season at home next week when they host Fullington Academy (3-6, 0-4).