Swainsboro Middle School picked up its first win of the season Wednesday, defeating Toombs County Middle School 12-6 in overtime in the Tigers’ home opener at Tiger Field. With the victory, the Tigers improved to 1-1 in conference play.
It was a physical battle from beginning to end, with both defenses making things difficult throughout the night. Toombs County’s only touchdown came on a fumble return for a score. The Bulldogs were unable to convert the two-point attempt, leaving the score at 6-0.
Swainsboro responded through the air, connecting on a touchdown pass to even the game at 6-6. The Tigers had an opportunity to take the lead with a two-point conversion, but a penalty backed them up and put them out of range of successfully converting the attempt.
From there, neither team gave much ground. The Tigers and Bulldogs continued to battle back and forth until the clock reached zero with the score still tied, sending the game into overtime.
Swainsboro’s defense took the field in overtime and delivered when the Tigers needed it most. The unit kept Toombs County out of the end zone, giving the offense an opportunity to win the game.
The Tigers went back to what had worked earlier in the night and attacked the perimeter through the passing game. Swainsboro connected on another touchdown pass to end the game and secure the 12-6 overtime victory.
Head coach Corey Chalker said he was especially pleased with the way his team responded when things did not go its way.
“I liked the fact that the kids responded when bad things happened,” Chalker said. “We were able to overcome a scoop and score from Toombs County and win the game.”
When it came time to make the decisive call in overtime, Chalker said the decision was an easy one. After having success getting the football to his playmakers on the outside earlier in the game, he wanted to give them another opportunity.
“The overtime call was an easy decision,” Chalker said. “I knew that our playmaker’s ability to make big plays on the perimeter paid off for us earlier in the game, so I had to go back to it in overtime.”
Chalker added that Toombs County was creating problems up front, which made getting the football to the perimeter even more important.
“Our offensive front was struggling slowing down the defensive linemen from Toombs, so we tried to execute by putting the ball in the hands of our playmakers on the perimeter,” Chalker said.
With their first victory now in hand, the Tigers turn their attention to another tough challenge. Swainsboro will travel to Vidalia on Thursday to face J.R. Trippe Middle School at 5 p.m.
Chalker knows his team will be facing an experienced opponent that captured the league championship last season.
“It will be a really tough contest for us,” Chalker said. “JR Trippe has an experienced team and is coming off of a championship in this league last year. I have respect for Coach James and what he has done at JR Trippe in the past 7 years. We have had some good battles with them.”
For Swainsboro, the emphasis this week will be on improving in the trenches while continuing to build on the physical defensive effort that helped secure the win over Toombs County.
“We will have to really focus on getting better in the trenches to try and make some space for our playmakers to succeed,” Chalker said. “We will also have to play really disciplined and physical on the defensive side of the ball as well.”
Now 1-1 in conference play, Swainsboro Middle will look to build on its first win of the season when the Tigers travel to Vidalia Thursday for a 5 p.m. matchup with J.R. Trippe Middle School.
