Washington wins title
Champions! members of the WMS Tiger 8th grade team and cheerleaders pose with the championship trophy after the game.
The championship game was played under the lights at West Thomas Stadium and included the presentation of colors by the CHS JROTC and the national anthem by the WMS band and chorus. The Tiger cheerleaders provided a big sign for the run through for the team, and cheered the Tigers to victory all night long.
Defense was the name of the game in the South Georgia Middle School championship game, as both the Yellow Jackets and Tigers made opposing offenses earn every yard and point they scored in an exciting culmination to the middle school football season.
The Tigers capitalized on two big turnovers by the Jackets that led to WMS points. The Tigers scored first after Cash Cross picked up a loose ball that the Yellow Jacket offense coughed up after a big stop by the Tiger defense. Cross raced to the 12-yard line before being tackled. The Tigers then scored on a sprint by running back Drake Robertson. The two-point conversion failed, and the Tigers led 6-0.
The Tigers would score again after Robertson fell on another fumble by the Jackets and the Tigers in Jacket territory. Robertson then connected with Corzaylan Donaldson on a halfback pass with 6:56 to play in the third quarter. Robertson added the two-point conversion and the Tigers were cruising with a 14-0 lead.
The Yellow Jackets fought back on the next series, scoring on a quarterback keeper by Sam Bradley. After the score, it looked as if the Jackets would come up short on their two-point conversion, but an alert lineman picked up the loose ball and rumbled in to the end zone. The Jackets cut the Tiger lead to 14-8 with 4:12 to play in the third.
Both teams battled the other in the fourth quarter with the Tiger defense holding off a late drive by the Yellow Jackets to claim the championship.
Robertson had a big night for the Tigers, scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion, and throwing for another touchdown.
“It was a good game, the kids played hard all year, and did a great job tonight. We’re proud of them all, that’s for sure,” said head Tiger coach Zack Wilson. Wilson is assisted by coaches Duke Donaldson and Mark Willis.
