Syrupmakers to take on Flowery Branch Saturday

The Cairo Syrupmakers (13-0) take their second shot at the state AAA championship in as many years as they face the Flowery Branch Falcons (12-2) Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. in the Georgia Dome. Cairo defeated last year’s state champion, the Carver-Columbus Tigers 42-13 to advance to the Dome, while the Falcons shutout LaGrange 28-0 to make their way title game for the first time in school history.
The Falcons feature a potent offense that has scored an average of over 33 points a game while their defense gives up an average of just two touchdowns, with one shutout coming last week against LaGrange. The Falcons opened the season with a loss to Stephens County 25-28, but avenged that defeat with a 42-21 win in the first round of the state playoffs over Stephens 42-21. The Falcons’ other loss came to Gainesville 13-27, who lost in the playoffs to Carver-Columbus 14-28 two weeks ago.
Flowery Branch features a balanced offensive attack led by junior quarterback Conner Shaw.  When Shaw is not completing passes to receivers, he’s handing off to their big fullback, Daniel Drummond (6’3, 235, Sr.), who scored three touchdowns against LaGrange last Friday.
“They’ve hit their stride offensively, that’s for sure, they are playing very good at the right time,” said Cairo coach Tom Fallaw.
The Falcons defense has several returning starters, and they also possess a very talented special teams unit. “I believe the foundation of this team is our defense,” said Falcon coach Lee Shaw. “Special teams has once again been a major strength this year for our team,” he added. The Falcons haven’t lost more than two games a season since 2004 when they  finished  2-8. Since then, Flowery Branch finished the 2005 season 11-2, 2006 10-2, and 2007 9-2 .
Flowery Branch wears red and black, just like the Syrupmakers, and will be the home team for the season finale this Saturday in Atlanta.