Swainsboro received the opening kickoff and began their first drive from the 25-yard line. Qin Brown started the possession with a 5-yard run followed by a 21-yard run by Demello Jones. On the next play, Jordan Williams ran away from everyone and scored his first touchdown of the night on a 49-yard run.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jerrod Steward, a destructive force all game, delivered a crushing hit on the Metter return man. Metter started the drive with a 14-yard run by running back Kilo Alcocer, but the possession ended without a score. Swainsboro's next two possessions resulted in Metter stopping them on 4th down.
Metter completed a couple of passes, but the Tiger defense, led by Jerrod Steward, Jamarcus Webb, and Jylerris Williams, kept them scoreless. Williams caused a fumble, recovered it, and had a big sack. Swainsboro took over on its third possession at their 34-yard line but ended with a punt. The Tiger's next possession resulted in Jordan Williams's second touchdown on a 54-yard run.
Swainsboro's defense stopped Metter and forced a punt with under a minute left in the half. Demello Jones started the drive with a 30-yard run. Kason Edenfield hit Bryson Tarver with a 23-yard pass completion to move inside the 20. The Tigers threw two straight incompletions, and on the next play, Metter's defensive back Cam Brunson intercepted a pass at the 5-yard line. The score at halftime was Swainsboro 14 Metter 0. Jordan Williams led the Tigers with 120 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Metter received the second-half kickoff and had their best drive of the game. Quarterback Thomas Chicola completed a 9-yard pass, then a 7-yarder. He followed that with a 22-yard completion, then a 29-yard touchdown pass to Rodrigus Kelly. The score was now 14-7 with 9:35 seconds left in the third quarter. The momentum had quickly changed for the Metter Tigers. Unfortunately, Swainsboro's two senior college prospects struck back.
On the kickoff, the ball was bobbled by Swainsboro and downed inside the 5-yard line. Metter had momentum at this point. On the first play, Jordan Williams gained 5 yards. DeMello Jones took off on the next play and went for an 87-yard touchdown run, making the score 21-7. On Metter's second play of the next possession, Swainsboro talented linebacker Jerrod Steward showed exceptional athleticism by jumping up and acrobatically intercepting a pass. Steward demonstrated his speed by returning the interception for a touchdown. Just that quick, Swainsboro led 27-7.
Qin Brown showed his speed in the 4th quarter on a 26-yard touchdown run. Jordon Williams scored his third touchdown on a dazzling, spinning, and turning 45-yard run. Making the final score 39-7
Game Stats
Metter’s quarterback Thomas Chicola completed 8 of 17 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown. Rodrigus Kelly had five receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Rodrigus Kelly and Kasi Johnson were credited with five tackles, and Jamarreon Morgan with 4.
Swainsboro Defense: Jerrod Steward and Jamarcus Webb led the way with ten tackles each. Jylerris Williams and Bryson Tarver contributed six each. Williams also had a sack and caused a fumble that he recovered. Several other Tigers assisted with tackles, including the talented freshman Jabios Smith. Tiger fans can expect to hear this young man’s name often over the next four years. The Tiger defense held Metter to a net 1-yard rushing and 117 passing.
Swainsboro offense: Kason Edenfield completed 4 of 10 passes. Jordan Williams rushed for 179 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. Demello Jones had 9 carries for 166 yards and one touchdown. Qin Brown had 8 carries for 61 yards and one touchdown. DeMello Jones caught three passes and Bryson Tarver one. Seniors Kason Palmer and Caleb Long anchored the offensive line, with great blocking coming from sophomores Kadorian Benjamin and Maddox Roberson. Another talented freshman Christian Tarver provided solid line play.
Special teams: Swainsboro’s kickoff coverage team was destructive. Jerrod Steward punted well. Swainsboro missed two extra points attempts.
This game was an outstanding team victory, with several Tigers playing well, although I may not have mentioned everyone’s name. The juniors and seniors are doing a great job providing leadership, and several freshmen and sophomores are gaining valuable playing experience.
Swainsboro will host Washington County at 7:30pm on August 25.
