Columbia’s Cain Jefferson (9) knocked the football loose from Pierce County running back Dylan Johnson. The loose football was scooped up by Columbia’s Charles Harris for a 78-yard fumble return for a touchdown. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The No. 5th-ranked Pierce County Bears scored with 1:05 to play to upend the Columbia Eagle 31-24 in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs at Cobb Stadium on Friday night.
Columbia (5-7) got a big fourth down conversion from the Bears 10-yard line to tie the game. Quarterback Cameron Graves, who joined a select DeKalb County career club with 3,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing in the game, dropped back to pass on fourth and seven, scrambled to his right and tight-roped the sideline before diving to the pylon for the touchdown. Zach Davis’s extra point tied the game to 24-24 with 8:03 to play.
Pierce County (11-1) then marched 58-yards in eight plays all on the legs of quarterback Caden McGatha. McGatha finished the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run with 1:05 to play. Garrett Stevenson hit his fourth PAT of the night to make it 31-24. The drive used up seven minutes of the remaining 8:03 leaving the Eagles little time to rally.
The Eagles who fought from behind all night managed just four yards on their final drive as the Bears defense held to seal the win.
Both teams went scoreless in the first quarter and almost four minutes into the second when McGatha, who had 248 yards on 32 carries and four touchdowns, scored the first on a fourth and one at the Columbia two on a straight run up the middle. Stevenson hit the PAT to make it a 7-0 lead.
Columbia lost the ball on an apparent fumble on its possession following the Bears score as Graves dropped to pass and seemed to throw a pass intended for a running back that hit a lineman and began bouncing on the ground. Peirce picked the ball up and scored.
Following a conference the referees ruled the play a fumble and recovery by Pierce which incurred an illegal participation penalty on the play for players rushing the field. McGatha capitalized on the first play after the call going 23 yards to put the Bears up 14-0 with 7:26 left in the first half.
The Bears were driving after stopping the Eagles’ next possession when a deep pass by McGatha was intercepted by Jamarion Davis and returned it 22 yards to the Columbia 43-yard line.
Columbia quarterback Cameron Graves dives to the pylon for a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter against Pierce County. (Photo by Mark Brock)
It took the Eagles just one play to get back into the game as Graves hit Nick Hill on a wheel route down the right sideline for a 67-yard touchdown play. Zach Davis pulled the Eagles within 14-7.
McGatha led the Bears quickly down the field after the Eagles’ score and Stevenson hit a 40-yard field goal just inside the left upright to make it 17-7 at the half.
Columbia took the opening possession of the second half down to the Bears 11-yard line where the drive stalled. Davis closed the gap to 17-10 with a 27-yard field goal.
The Bears were driving at the Eagles 22 when Cain Jefferson stripped a ball carrier of the football and Charles Harris picked it up and chugged 78 yards for a scoop and score. Davis’s extra point knotted the game at 17-17 with 6:54 left in the third quarter.
McGatha, had 32 of the Bears 34 carries in the game, finished off another drive with seven-yard touchdown run. Stevenson made it 24-17 with the PAT.
Columbia then went on its game-tying march converting two big fourth downs one for the touchdown.
Graves finished the night 10-20 passing for 153 yards and a touchdown and added 57 yards and a score on nine carries to lead the Eagles.
DCSD FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Friday, November 22
CLASS 3A
HALLFORD STADIUM
Stephenson (9-3) 41, Jenkins (10-2) 7
CLASS 2A
COBB STADIUM
Pierce Co. (11-1) 31, Columbia (5-7) 24
DCSD FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, November 29
CLASS 3A
HALLFORD STADIUM (Tentative)
Southeast Bulloch (10-2) vs. Stephenson (8-3), 7:30 pm