4SHOT Sports

Football - 2007
Class AAA Semifinals - Chamblee vs. Carver-Col
By Jabari "Klapp" Glapion
Dec 7, 2007, 04:30 EST

Class AAA Semifinals

Chamblee (12-1) vs. Carver-Columbus (13-0)

Carver-Columbus shocks Chamblee in comeback thriller

Bulldogs unable to hold off Tigers

Georgia Dome – Atlanta, Ga

Carver-Columbus WR-Jarmon Fortson put on a Randy Moss like performance with some bigtime catches

The Tigers of Carver-Columbus brought their unblemished record into the Georgia Dome to face the one-loss Chamblee Bulldogs. Chamblee’s lone loss came at the hands of Westminster in region play but they were able to overcome the defeat to reach the semi’s in the dome. The Tigers have, been dominant all season and looked to continue that dominance during the postseason.

After a quick three and out on Chamblee’s opening drive, things looked as if they were going to be ho-hum for the Tigers. But an opening drive that included two false starts and a costly clipping penalty that brought back a big running play quickly evened the playing field.

When the Tigers failed on a fourth and long attempt, the Bulldogs, led by junior quarterback Garrett Williams, took over and hit the ground running, literally. A simple handoff to the left to Darius Jones led to wide open field for the junior tailback as he scampered 64 yards to paydirt to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 with 4:32 left to play in the first quarter.

The Tigers, clearly being the more athletic team, put their talents on display. Quarterback Deron Furr showed his mobility in the pocket and the ability to hit the deep ball. His favorite target, Jarmon Fortson was frequently able to get behind the Bulldog secondary. Unfortunately, an underthrown pass by Furr fell into the hands of Bulldog defensive back, Briant Henry. Chamblee had a prime opportunity to make a huge statement but the Tigers defense stepped up and forced Chamblee to punt.

The payoff for the defense was a 57-yard touchdown strike from Furr to Fortson. After a failed point after attempt, the Tigers found themselves within one, 7-6. The Tigers stopped Chamblee’s option attack once again and took over deep in their own territory. Penalties pushed Carver-Columbus back to their seven yard line when Furr broke through for a 93-yard run, only to have it called back by yet another Tiger penalty. The Tigers were able to recover and began to move the ball but Furr lost the ball on a keeper on third and short. The Bulldogs took over and were able to put three on the board before the end of half to go up 10-6.

Chamblee QB-Garett Williams hands off to RB-Darius Jones who bounced this run outside and raced 64-yards for a TD.

Chamblee stopped the Tigers to open the half and took up a chunk of time off the clock on their ensuing drive. Some good option play-calling by Coach Jim Showfety helped the Bulldogs methodically run the ball right down the Tigers’ throats for another score. Bruising runs by Malcolm Giles helped setup a score by the team’s leading rusher, Warren Norman and put Chamblee up 17-6.

With momentum heavily in the Bulldogs favor, Chamblee’s defense put the clamps on the Tigers’ passing game and on third and long put the heat on Furr and forced a fumble recovered by Ryan Smith at the Tigers’ 37. Chamblee took over and went right back to work.

Williams continued to work the option to near perfection. An option toss to Malcom Beyah from 16 yards out put the Bulldogs up 24-6 and put them up for good. If body language means anything, the Tigers looked as if they were ready to get back on the bus and it wasn’t even the end of the third quarter.

But the fourth quarter would be totally different story. The Furr to Fortson connection would come alive and put two quick scores on the board. Chamblee, apparently thinking the Tigers would fold, fell back on defense and allowed Furr to throw at will. Fortson showed his athletic prowess over the Chamblee defensive secondary by picking balls out of the air over the smaller Chamblee defenders.

Carver-columbus LB-Jarvis Jones tackles the Chamblee blocker and ball-carrier

After three stops, the Tigers found themselves within four, 24-20, with 3:40 left on the clock with the Bulldogs facing a fourth and six. With Carver-Columbus playing the return, another great, but gutsy play call by Showfety, a fake punt, gave the Bulldogs a first down with less than three minutes remaining. But the Bulldogs were unable to kill the clock and were forced to punt. The Tigers took over from their own 23 with 2:04 remaining.

The Tigers threatened but great defense by Beyah on Fortson to knock loose a jump ball at the Bulldog 10 yard line had Carver-Columbus facing fourth and long. On fourth and 10, Furr connected with Fortson to move the Tigers inside the Bulldog 10 yard line. Furr then ran a quarterback draw up the middle to get the Tigers down to the three yard line with :16 left on the clock. Furr then rolled out to the left and with no one open, turned up field. After busting through three Bulldog defenders, Furr was in the endzone for six. With :10 left on the clock, the tide turned completely and the Tigers were up 26-24.

The Tigers proved that they just might be the cream of the crop by overcoming an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Chamblee Bulldogs 26-24 to head to the Region AAA finals.

Final Score: Chamblee 24 – Carver-Columbus 26