Undefeated Rams win Conference Championship
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Photo by Deb-E Lynn Photography
On Wednesday, October 8, the Appling County Middle School Rams Football team hosted the Waycross Bulldogs for the Conference Championship. This game was a Pink Out in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
The Rams defense struggled to hold the Bulldogs in the first quarter. The first score of the game came from Waycross, but the Rams would come alive on their next drive with a 50-yard run from #1 Braylen MacArthur. The Rams failed to capitalize on the drive, but fortunately, the Bulldogs made little progress on downs and were forced to punt the ball away.
The punt was received by #3 Antonio Conway, who returned the ball to the end zone to put the Rams on the board. The Rams then scored on a 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 8-6 with less than a minute left in the quarter.
The Bulldogs wasted no time in answering back, scoring a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage. Waycross then succeeded in a 2-point attempt of their own, making the score 8-14.
The Rams picked up yardage on another chunk play from Antonio Conway, but were unfortunately unable to capitalize on the possession. The team received the ball again before the half, with Braylen McArthur to tie the game. The resulting 2-point conversion was true, giving the Rams the lead going into halftime.
After the half, the Pirates kicked the ball to the Waycross team, who were unable to secure it and were driven back by #4 Bryson MacArthur and #32 Levi Blaine.
The Rams received the ball after a 3rd & 9 stop, giving them great field position for a heroic run by Conway to the 5-yard line. Sadly, the play was brought back on a holding call. Regardless, #5 Cameron Williams was able to convert for the Rams on 4&11. The Rams continued their drive with a quarterback run up the middle, downed at the 2-yard line. An encroachment call on Waycross led to an easy score for the Rams, bringing the scoreboard to 30-14 before the successful 2-point conversion.
Waycross was unable to pick up the needed downs on their next possession to end the 3rd quarter. The final quarter began as the Bulldogs attempted to convert for the much-needed yardage and scoring potential. However, the attempted pass was intercepted by Cameron Williams, who ran it back for a pick-six. The Rams made another 2-point conversion with a run by MacArthur.
The ball was then kicked by Carter Williams and brought to midfield by the Bulldog receiver. The team slowly chipped away at the field, but was ultimately thwarted by self-inflicted penalties.
Now with the ball in the Rams’ possession, Javon Williams escaped downfield for a 62-yard rushing touchdown. The following 2-point conversion was true, bringing the final score to 48-14, as Waycross put no further points on the board.
