By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
Sept. 26, 2004
WAYNESBORO Before the ball could be snapped from the line of scrimmage, the tone of the game was set.
Wayne County nose guard Jerrel Powe drove into the Quitman High center, sending him tumbling into the Panthers' quarterback. The War Eagles took a five-yard penalty for being off sides, but the huge 6-foot-3, 330-pound Division I-A prospect had made his point. Two plays later, Quitman fumbled and Wayne County was headed for its first score in a 45-6 victory over the Panthers Friday night.
Wayne County took the ball on the QHS 7 and punched it in three plays later when junior running back Arthur Everett scored on a one-yard run. Brandan Sellers booted the extra point and Wayne County led 7-0 with 10:12 remaining in the first quarter.
Quitman did not back down from the War Eagles. The Panthers put together a couple of good runs that would have launched them deep into Wayne County territory. But two holding calls in a row stopped the Panthers cold and they were forced to punt.
Quitman held Wayne County to four downs and received the punt on its 42-yard line. Then on second down, QHS quarterback Josh Lafferty was blasted from behind by Wayne County's Carlo McDougle just as he released the ball. Defensive lineman Brandon Gatlin intercepted the pass and ran it in for an apparent touchdown. But Wayne County was penalized for blocking in the back on the play, and Wayne County had the ball on the QHS 26.
Having a touchdown called back didn't matter. Four plays later, Everett scored on a 12-yard run. Sellers booted the extra point and Wayne County led 14-0 with 7:47 left in the second quarter.
Brian Wilson's interception of QHS quarterback Justin Holloman set up Wayne County's next touchdown. Wayne County took over on the Quitman 40.
Two plays later, Wayne County quarterback Drexler Johnson passed to Jacques McBride for a 39-yard TD pass play. Sellers' kick was good and Wayne County led 21-0 with 3:00 remaining in the hall.
Sellers booted a 25-yard field goal with 14 seconds left in the half and Wayne County led 24-0 at the intermission.
Wayne County took the second half kickoff. Johnson connected with a 34-yard pass with Kenneth Whigham that put the ball on the QHS one-yard line. One play later, Everett boomed it in from one-yard out. Sellers booted the extra point and Wayne County led 31-0.
Johnson connected with Marquese Ray for one touchdown and scored another on an eight-yard run to wrap up Wayne County's scoring for the night. Sellers booted both extra points.
Quitman's score came on a five-yard run by Randy Carter. The extra point try failed.
Wayne County drove inside the Panthers 10-yard line late in the game. But then the War Eagles' quarterback took four knees in a row and QHS took over on downs.
Wayne County now stands at 2-0 in the Division 5-4A standings. The War Eagles visit Salmen, La., on Friday while Quitman entertains Northeast Lauderdale. QHS stands at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the division.