By Micheal Coleman
Patterson - Appling County Midget (11/12) Football All Stars downed Patterson 28-0 here last night with stifling defense and efficient offense. The Appling team scored on three one play drives and one of three plays to gain their 28 points, while holding Patterson to 9 yards of total offense for the game.
Appling opened the game on offense with a 17 yard burst up the middle, which ended in a fumble recovered by Patterson at their 17-yard line. This would be the last misstep for Appling’s offense and the beginning of a strong defensive display.
Patterson’s offense was unable to get going in the right direction and ended up punting from their 1-yard line. A short punt set up Appling’s offense on the Patterson 10. One play later Cody Hallman carried the ball into the end zone straight up the middle, with Hallman scoring the conversion the score was quickly 7-0.
Following the kickoff Patterson was unable to move the ball again and punted to Appling after three plays. This time Johnny Vann was called on to carry the ball around right end on a toss sweep. Midway through the run he reversed directions and outran the Patterson defenders for a 59 yard score. Vann ran the PAT in to bring the score to 14-0 with 2:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Once again Appling’s defense held Patterson in check and set up at the Patterson 24 following a short punt. It took three plays, all runs by Japeth Morris, to get their third touchdown in the first half. Morris carried for 8 yards on each of the three runs with the final carry being a sweep to the right side where he dove in at the pylon. Morris carried for the extra point and made the score 21-0 early in the second quarter.
Patterson followed with their longest drive of the night, 22 yards, but turned the ball over on a fumble. Appling County ran one play as time expired in the half.
With a running clock in the second half the game moved quickly. Patterson was unable to move the ball on its opening possession of the second half and Appling took over on downs at the Patterson 40. Hallman once again took the ball up the middle and bulled his way through the line and outran the defense for a 40-yard touchdown run. The PAT was converted on a run by Jason Dahliwal, bringing the score to the final tally of 28-0 Appling County.
Appling County Midget Football All Stars will be back in action on Thursday, December 3, at 7:30 in the “Swamp” in Charlton County. If able to come out victorious in that game they will advance to the GRPA District 2 Semifinals in Waycross next Saturday.