Cedar Grove quarterback Brandon Davis scored two touchdowns to lead Cedar Grove to a thrilling 12-6 overtime win against the Champion Chargers in the first round of the Trail to the Title playoffs. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Fans at Avondale Stadium were treated to some “free” middle school football as the Cedar Grove Saints pulled off a 12-6 overtime victory against the Champion Chargers on Saturday in the first round of the Trail to the Title playoffs.
Cedar Grove (5-2) took a 6-0 lead with 2:25 to play in the first half on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Brandon Davis to complete a 12-play, 55-yard drive that took six minutes off the first half clock. The two-point run failed against the tough defensive front of the Chargers (5-1-1).
The game remained 6-0 until about halfway through the fourth quarter as neither team could manage to move the ball throughout most of the second half.
Cedar Grove took advantage of good field position following a Champion punt starting at the Charger 31-yard line. Four plays later the Chargers forced and recovered a fumble at their own nine-yard to turn away the Saints’ threat.
Four plays later Champion quarterback Michael Barrett dropped back and spotted receiver Jeremiah Tillman about 10-yards downfield and fired a pass to his teammate. Tillman snagged the pass and spun to his left and was off to the races down the far sideline for a 78-yard touchdown play. Cedar Grove stuffed the two-point conversion to keep the game tied at 6-6 with 4:17 to play.
The two teams traded punts and the Saints began a drive down to the Champion 36 before the Chargers defense stiffened again and stopped the drive as Tillman tackled Davis for a four-yard loss as time ran out.
Champion quarterback Michael Barnett (3) throws a pass against Cedar Grove. Barnett had a 78-yard touchdown pass play to Jeremiah Tillman to tie the game late in the overtime loss. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Cedar Grove got the ball first in overtime starting at the 10-yard line. Davis opened the overtime hitting Kaysean Moses for an eight-yard pass play to the two-yard line.
Champion stopped two consecutive runs by Davis forcing a fourth and goal from just inside the one-yard line. Davis made it into the end zone on the third try to give Cedar Grove the 12-6 lead.
The Chargers were up next and run down to the one was called back on a holding penalty and Champion was backed up to a first and goal at the 20.
On fourth and goal from the 17 the Chargers last chance pass went incomplete at the goal line and Cedar Grove claimed the win.
Cedar Grove moves on to face Chapel Hill (6-1), a 28-6 winner over Tucker (5-1-1) in the final first round game, at 12:00 pm at Godfrey Stadium on Saturday.
WEEK 8 – OCT. 21
First Round of Playoffs
Avondale Stadium
Stephenson (7-0) 24, Lithonia (4-3) 8
McNair (7-0) 16, Chamblee (3-4) 6
Cedar Grove (5-2) 12, Champion (5-1-1) 6
Chapel Hill (6-1) 28, Tucker (5-1-1) 6
WEEK 9 – OCT. 28
Semifinal Round
GODFREY STADIUM
Stephenson (7-0) vs. McNair (7-0), 10:30 am
Chapel Hill (6-1) vs. Cedar Grove (5-2), 12:00 am