NORTH AUGUSTA – After being down 27-7 at the half, the North Augusta Yellow Jackets rallied to defeat Midland Valley 35-27 and clinch AAAA Region 5 title on Friday, Oct. 30.
“We told our kids at halftime don’t flinch and they came out and executed,” North Augusta Football Coach Richard Bush said. “They did exactly what we asked to do in the second half, and I can’t be prouder of them.”
The Yellow Jackets began their season 0-1 with a loss to Strom Thurmond but now have won nine straight games.
“We trusted in the process, believed in each other and just got better each week,” Bush said.
Despite only scoring one time in the first half, the Yellow Jackets did have the first score of the game on a two-yard rushing touchdown from running back Alkaleb Terrell.
Midland Valley scored the very next drive on a touchdown pass from quarterback Xavier Geter to wide receiver Bryson Wilson, making the score 7-6 with 2:22 remaining in the first quarter after a missed extra point.
Mustangs running back Terrance Smith escaped on the next drive for a 75-yard touchdown, giving Midland Valley a 13-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Geter passed for two more touchdowns in the second half, one for 39 yards to Smith, giving the Mustangs a 27-7 lead at the half.
After punting their first drive of the second half, North Augusta quarterback Collin Tillman connected with wide receiver Dallas Williams for a 30-yard touchdown with 6:05 left in the third quarter.
The North Augusta defense continued to give the team momentum, halting the Midland Valley offense.
Yellow Jackets running back Jayden Hatcher cut the lead to 27-21 on a 28-yard rushing touchdown with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter.
With only 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Tillman threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kydre Wright, giving the Yellow Jackets a 28-27 lead.
Midland Valley had momentum driving in North Augusta territory, but Williams jumped in front for a defensive interception midway through the fourth quarter. Hatcher rushed in the final touchdown of the game to secure North Augusta a 35-27 win.
North Augusta finishes the regular season with a 9-1 record (5-0 region) and will advance to the state playoffs.
The time and opponent of the first round is to be announced.
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson is an Augusta University graduate who has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. He won three Georgia Press Association sports awards in 2026. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
