Putnam County seniors Jalon Kilgore and Tamarion Peters rushed for over 300 yards and three TDs in a 26-13 win over Washington County during a Thursday night tilt.
The game was originally scheduled for Friday, but a referee shortage in the GHSA moved it up a day.
Kilgore led the War Eagles with 197 yards on 16 attempts and two TDs, including a 91-yard score. Peters totaled 109 yards on 12 carries with a score, while Putnam County junior Rashod Daniel also had a productive night with 43 yards and a TD.
War Eagles’ head coach Shaun Pope said he was impressed “for the most part” with the win. He highlighted that outside of giving off a kickoff return after leading 14-0, his team played well.
“We rushed for 361 yards and that was with two freshmen and two sophomores starting on the offensive line this week,” Pope said. “So, we controlled the game and the ball.”
The War Eagles’ defense also rose to the occasion, containing Golden Hawks’ quarterback Morgan Jones, who completed 16-of-23 passes for 197 yards and two INTs.
Jones was pressured all game long as senior defensive tackle Detravius Smith recorded two sacks. Kilgore and senior DJ Bland were on the receiving end of the two picks. Bland also led all Putnam County tacklers with six total stops in the victory.
Pope was content with the way his defense played, outside of a late fourth-quarter TD. He pointed out that the group held South Carolina commit Dontavious Braswell in check on the ground.
“They got their last touchdown within the last couple minutes of the game,” Pope said. “We held them to minus nine yards rushing on 19 carries. However, [Washington County] did throw for about 190 yards. Most of that came late in the game when it was in control. They hit us on a couple of passes, but all-in-all, a good night.”
The War Eagles made a statement early, scoring on their first drive, which was capped off by Daniel punching it in from four yards out. Jones threw his first pick on the next possession as Kilgore grabbed it. Putnam County led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Jones threw his second INT at the start of the next period as Bland made an athletic play. He returned the pick 30 yards, but a penalty stunted his positive yardage. Still, it led directly to Kilgore’s 91-yard TD, which extended the lead to 14-0 after the PAT.
Washington County caught a break on the ensuing kickoff, though. Christian Wiggins returned the kick to the end zone, giving the Golden Hawks’ sideline some energy. The War Eagles led 14-7 after the PAT, but it wasn’t a one-score game for long.
Putnam County responded with a scoring drive of its own a few minutes later. The War Eagles marched right down the field. Peters broke off around the edge and cut back between defenders, rushing for a total of 41 yards. Kilgore then punched it in for the TD.
Pope explained the offense had another chance to score before the half, but it was a “missed opportunity.”
“Part of that was my fault because I chose to fake the field goal instead of getting the three points,” Pope said. “It’s just something that I wanted to work on, but anyway, that kind of bit us there. [Looking back on it], I probably should have taken the points.”
The War Eagles led Washington County 20-7 at the end of the first half. The second half started slow, and neither team put points on the board in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw each team score TDs, but Pope’s team was too far ahead.
Putnam County ended its season with an 8-2 overall record and a 4-1 mark in region play. The War Eagles enter the GHSA Class AA playoffs as the No. 2 seed from Region 4-AA. Their first-round matchup will be against Toombs County on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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