It wasn’t the prettiest game for either school, but you don’t get style points in the playoffs. Cartersville defeated Flowery Branch 14-6 in the first round of the Class AAAA State Playoffs on Friday evening.
Cartersville got the opening kickoff and converted its opening drive into seven points on a Kyler Johnson touchdown reception. On the second possession, Cartersville threw an interception and Flowery Branch looked to capitalize. The visiting Eagles were able to punch in a 5-yard touchdown run from Jaizen Ellingham, but missed the PAT with just 1:42 left in the first half.
In the second half, Flowery Branch couldn’t take care of the football and Cartersville was able to milk a lot of time off the scoreboard. Devonte Ross recovered a Flowery Branch fumble on the Eagles’ opening drive and one play later found the end zone on a 49-yard strike from Tee Webb. The Eagles would fumble the ball away in five possessions of the second half.
Cartersville will host Thomson, the No. 2 seed out of Region 4, next Friday night at Weinman Stadium. You can hear all of the action on WBHF with pregame coverage beginning at 6:00.
The Adairsville Tigers fell to the Jenkins Warriors on Friday night in the first round of the GHSA Class AAA State Playoffs by a score of 42-0.
Adairsville ends its season with a 5-6 record after capturing an at-large bid.