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Paladins upset Bulldogs 17-10 in region match
Published October 25, 2009
In a game that was as ugly as the weather, George Walton Academy probably lost its chance at a region championship with a 17-10 loss to Pinecrest Academy of Cumming Friday night at Keith Henderson Stadium.
The Bulldogs, 6-3 overall and 1-1 in Region 1-AAA, face a must-win game at home next Friday in the regular-season finale against Mt. Vernon if they want to host a first-round game in the Georgia Independent School Association state playoffs.
“That was one of the toughest losses we’ve had in a long time,” said GWA head coach Don Williams. “The kids played hard, but we just didn’t have them ready.”
Ranked fourth in the state and expected to have little trouble with Pinecrest, the Bulldogs took advantage of a pair of first-half interceptions to take a 10-3 lead at intermission.
But GWA could never put the game away and self-destructed in the second half, committing four turnovers — three fumbles and an interception. The Paladins turned the miscues into 14 points and their first-ever win over the Bulldogs.
GWA appeared to be on the verge of securing the victory late in the third period, moving 72 yards in nine plays to the Pinecrest 16. But on third-and-four, the snap popped out of the hands of Bulldogs quarterback Ty Shelnutt and the Paladins Bryce Haynes grabbed the ball in midair and returned it to the GWA 32.
From there, Pinecrest put together its longest drive of the game, keeping the ball for nine plays before quarterback Eric Hegeman connected with running back Michael Cassandra on a 2-yard TD pass.
Paladins kicker Ricardo Garcia, who earlier kicked a 47-yard field to tie the game at 3, booted through the PAT to knot the score at 10.
Two possessions later, GWA running back Justin Brown couldn’t handle a pitch from Shelnutt, and Pinecrest linebacker E.J. Bueltel scooped up the loose ball and rambled 39 yards for what turned out to be the winning touchdown.
Fittingly, an interception ended the Bulldogs final desperation drive.
The win was the eighth straight for Pinecrest (8-1, 2-0), which can secure the region title with a win over Holy Spirit Prep next week.
A steady rain began just before kickoff and lingered through halftime. The teams responded by combining for two turnovers, 142 yards total offense, seven first downs, and 60 yards in penalties before halftime.
On the third play of the game, Pinecrest quarterback Hegeman was intercepted by GWA safety Matt Corder, who returned the ball 40 yards to the Paladins 18. Four plays later, Cord Gunnin kicked a 36-yard field to put his team up 3-0.
Five plays into the second quarter, Hegeman was intercepted again, this time by Bulldogs defensive end Michael Peek, who rambled 77 yards for his second touchdown off a pick this season.
But it was the Paladins defense that ultimately won the game. Besides clinching the victory on a fumble return, they held GWA to 81 yards rushing on 35 attempts and just 204 total yards.
“We’ve got to be able to run the ball,” Williams said. “That’s hurt us all year and it cost us tonight.”
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