East Paulding vs. Marist

4SHOT Sports

Football - 2006
East Paulding vs. Marist
By Rod "Kut" Freeman
Dec 9, 2006, 07:33 EST

Raiders Can’t Ground the Eagles

East Paulding vs. Marist

Georgia Dome – Atlanta,GA

The state semi-finals Class 4-A state game between the Marist “War Eagles” and the East Paulding “Raiders” featured two teams destine to prove that they had what it takes to when one more round and a state title. Marist brings in 2 state titles in its 22 years of existence and East Paulding would be making their first playoff appearance. East Paulding Quarterback Chas Henry would lead the air attack for the Raiders and QB Gary Marshall would head the offense for the War Eagles. Head Coach Alan Chadwick stated before the game, “we have to be focus and play well. After our lost to Tucker we refocus and the key now is just playing well.”

The War Eagles wouldn’t was anytime scoring as they would score on their first drive of the game on a 3 yard quarterback keeper to move the score to a quick 7-0. After the Raiders offense fail convert on an out route pass from Henry, the War Eagles would get another chance to tune up the offense.

With 9:45 to go in the second quarter, Preston Lyons would burst one up the middle for 53 yards to put the War Eagles in scoring position on their 17. When Lyons receive the ball out of the Wing T formation, he split two defender at a lighting speed that it fooled the cameras (lol). Colin Gallagher would connect from 28 yards on a field goal to give the War Eagles a 10 point lead with 7:27 left in the first half. With the Marist Defense spread wide on the defensive line, the Raiders would call the draw play to Chris Smith would gain 27 yards on the play. As a result of a grounding penalty and delay of game call, the Raiders would have to operate from 27 yards out negating the positive out put. Even with the penalties pushing them back, the Raiders would receive an automatic first down on a roughing the passer call on the War Eagles. The Raiders would not be able to convert and the War Eagles defense would hold to take the lead into the half after, a 32 yard field goal by Gallagher. (Marist 13 – East Paulding 0).

Preston Lyons would rush for 122 yards in the first half.

The War Eagles would strike first from 17 yards out to add to the bleeding to move the score 20-0 over the East Paulding Raiders on a run by Lyons to increase his stats for the night. Marist quarterback Marshall would scramble for 32 yards out on the option keeper to clear a lot of the fans from the Raiders side to the exits, as the War Eagles distant the lead to 27-0.

The Raiders would wait three quarters but finally get on the boards on a keeper by quarterback Henry from 14 yards out to move the score 27-7 with 10:03 left in the game.

No need to say much more, other than the ending results.

Marist goes on to the State Class 4-A Northside Warner Robins for the Crown.

Final Score: Marist 27 East Paulding 7

The 4SHOT Sports Player of The Game goes to: Preston Lyons with 223 yards rushing and 1 touchdown.