The Laney Wildcats built a huge first-half lead and never looked back as they defeated Brooks County 50-0 on Nov. 13, in the first round of the GHSA 2A football playoffs.
The Wildcats cruised to victory thanks to a three-touchdown performance by junior Keshawn Wilson on on Laney’s home field, and he was happy to get the first-round playoff win.
“It feels amazing coming out to this field and getting the win,” Wilson said. “We won because we work hard and stay locked in during practice. At the end of the day, we just let our play do the talking.”
Brooks County started its offensive night at its own 45-yard line. This drive died quickly after Laney linebacker Gerret Brown got two tackles for loss in a row, forcing a Trojan punt.
Laney started off its offensive night on the Wildcats’ own 36. After a 30-yard rush by running back Landon Geter, the Wildcats were set up in perfect scoring position. Running back Kelvin Labord capitalized off the big play with an 11-yard rushing touchdown. Wilson ran in the -twopoint conversion, making it 8-0 with 7:03 remaining in the first.
Brooks County began its next drive on their own 30 yard line. This drive came to a swift end though, and the Trojans opted to punt.
Laney began its following drive on its own 27-yard line. The hosts wasted no time making a big play, as Wilson took a handoff 40 yards for that touchdown. Laney opted for two, but the pass fell incomplete, making it 14-0 with 3:30 remaining in the first.
After three straights punts, the Wildcats went 71 yards, with Wilson running the ball into the end zone from seven yards out for his second score of the night. He added thw two point conversion for a 22-0 Laney lead with 2:10 remaining in the half.
Brooks county failed to respond and once again punted.
Laney took over at its own 45. It seemed like a turnover was about to occur as a Wildcat pass sailed right into the chest of a Trojan defensive back Jakari Bryant, but instead the ball jumped out of his hands, and right into Wilson’s, who was tackled at the 5-yard line. Geter finished off the drive with a rushing touchdown. William Turner Jones got the two-point conversion, making it 30-0 as the half came to an end.
The Wildcats received the second half kickoff and began their drive at their own 25. Wilson took a handoff 46 yards for his third touchdown of the game. After a failed two-point, it was 36-0 in favor of Laney with 9:33 left in the third quarter.
On their next possession, the Wildcats took over at their own 40 and were ready for another massive play, as Geter ran 60 yards for his second touchdown of the game. Once again the hosts failed on the two-point conversion, making it 42-0 with 6:55 left in the 3rd.
Later, Trojans’ quarterback Janorris Burrus threw a pass deep down field, which was then intercepted by Wilson, his fourth big play of the night.
After the turnover, the hosts took over at their own 8-yard line as the third quarter came to an end.
Starting the fourth quarter, the Wildcats were quick to make another explosive play, as running back Jarvis Crawford raced 44 yards for the final touchdown of the night. Running back Leroy Jenkins ran in the two-point attempt, making it 50-0 with 8:07 left in the game.
Neither team was able to score again before the game came to an end.
“Our players were very focused this week, we had good days at practice and made sure to improve our mental and physical performance,” said Laney Coach Ronnie Baker after the game.
Laney (7-4) will play the Jeff Davis (10-1), which edged East Laurens 14-13, in the second round on Friday, Nov. 20. Although it was a big win for the Wildcats, Baker still believed there was room for improvement heading into next week’s matchup with the Jeff Davis Yellowjackets.
“You always want your kids to stay level-headed,” Baker said. “Winning playoff games is great, but you have to stay focused on winning the next game ahead of you. There were a lot of plays where we had poor technique as well as blowing a few assignments. I know we will fix ourselves up and be prepared for next week.”
William Reyes is an Augusta University student.
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