QUITMAN — The Brooks County Trojans head to the Okefenokee Swamp tonight for the second round of the Class AA state playoffs.
Brooks (9-2) faces Charlton County (10-0-1) tonight in a battle of historically-strong small-school South Georgia football programs. Kickoff at Indian Field comes at 7:30 p.m.
Brooks County head coach Maurice Freeman looks forward to tonight’s matchup.
“I’m pumped up,” Freeman said. “It’s the playoffs. We’ve got to take it to another level at this point. The players need to take it to another level, and the coaches do, too.
“We’re ready. I’m just happy to be in the playoffs. I want to play as long as we can. We want to be practicing during Thanksgiving week.”
Freeman is impressed with Charlton, a perennial AA power that, as usual, is loaded with talent. And, as Brooks’ coach points out, speed.
“They’re a great program,” he said. “Their tradition says they can play. I’m real impressed with their team speed. They run the spread, with four and five wide (receivers). Their wide receivers are fast. Their quarterback’s about 6-1 or 6-2, 190 (pounds), and he’s fast. He’s left-handed, and he throws the ball well. Their running back is about 5-7, and he’s fast. They play an exciting brand of football.
“On defense, they run a 3-5, and they’re fast on that side of the ball, too.”
Beating Charlton, especially in Folkston, will be difficult. But Brooks also understands that, in the playoffs, the competition is usually tough.
“We’re looking forward to playing them,” Freeman said. “We like lining up against those kinds of teams, because then you learn what you’ve got.”
“It’s a tough place to play,” he added. “Their crowd gets loud. They love their Indians ... We want all of our fans to come on down to the swamp and support us. We’ve got a great group of fans, and I know a lot of them will make the drive.”
So what do the Trojans have to do to beat Charlton tonight?
“We’ve got to come ready to play,” Freeman said. “We’ve got to do the same things we did against Putnam. We’ve got to tackle on defense. Our offense did an outstanding job of keeping Putnam off the field. We’ve got to move the ball, and have some long drives. Our defense has to play four quarters.”
Brooks and Charlton clashed three times in the 1990s, during Freeman’s first tenure at Brooks, and four times earlier this decade, back when both schools were in the same region. Charlton leads the all-time series between the two schools, 6-3.
“They’ve been good for a long time,” Freeman said. “Back (in the 1990s), they had those Bailey boys (including Champ and Boss Bailey, who went on to play in the NFL).”
Charlton averages 41 points per game, and allows 19 points per game. Last Friday, the Indians beat Dublin 30-8 in the first round.
Last week, Brooks defeated Putnam County 35-12 in Eatonton. The Trojans’ option offense put five touchdowns on the board, and their defense shut down the War Eagles’ offense, limiting them to just 12 yards in the second half.
The Trojans were led by their 1-2-3 punch last Friday. Quarterback Keojuan Rose (No. 1) rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown, and passed for another 49 yards. Keith Christopher (No. 2) rushed for 104 yards on 12 carries, and scored four touchdowns. Kendrick Christopher (No. 3) added about 55 more yards for Brooks.
“Our guys did everything they needed to do,” Freeman said. “Our offensive and defensive lines did a great job. Keojuan Rose turned into Superman. He had (219) total yards. Keith Christopher had (104 rushing yards) and Kendrick Christopher had about 55 yards. Our defense limited Putnam County to 12 yards in the second half.
“I’m going to ask (our team) to do it again this week.”
Directions to Charlton County: Take U.S. 84 east to Waycross. In Waycross, head south on U.S. 1. Turn left when you get to the school.
Local Sports
Brooks heads to Charlton
- Local Sports
-
-
VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
A shortened, diminished roster for the Valdosta State men's basketball team took another blow Thursday following the suspension of senior guard Sidney Harris.
-
Big weekend ahead for Lady Blazers
It might be an understatement to call this weekend’s two home games for the Valdosta State women’s basketball team a big deal, because that is exactly what they are.
-
Blazers fall to Albany State, 7-3
The Valdosta State baseball team was handed a third-straight loss Wednesday night, as the Blazers fell to in-state foe Albany State, 7-3.
The Blazers were held in check for much of the night, despite being aided by nine Golden Ram walks. With runners on base, the Blazers were unable to produce enough offense to score runs, leaving 12 runners stranded in the game. -
Wildcats rally for 50-40 win over Brooks
Valdosta’s boys basketball team came alive in the fourth quarter, and rallied for a 50-40 victory over Brooks County on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats outscored Brooks 24-9 in the fourth quarter, and turned a five-point deficit into a 10-point win. -
VSU soccer announces 2012 signing class
Valdosta State and Head Coach Melissa Heinz announced the signing of Blazer Soccer’s second recruiting class.
After bringing in a large class of 31 in its initial signing day, the now established program that went to the Gulf South Conference Championship match welcomes seven new players with a few more expected. -
Valdosta celebrates 2011 season
On Tuesday night, the 2011 Valdosta High football team was honored at the team’s annual awards banquet for a season that included the program’s first region championship since 2003.
The Wildcats went 8-3 in 2011, won their first Winnersville Classic in eight years and earned their 41st region title. -
Lowndes junior varsity tennis earns two wins
Lowndes High tennis opened up the 2012 season with a JV double-header in Waycross Wednesday afternoon
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
The Colquitt County Lady Packers handed the Lowndes Vikettes a second straight loss Tuesday night, 55-48.
Jamesia Jones led Lowndes with 10 points, while Courtne Washington had nine. Tasia Brown finished with eight. -
Braves unveil another alternate home uniform
Hank Aaron recognized the look. Just not the feel.
The Atlanta Braves unveiled a new alternate home uniform Monday that is based on the attire worn when the team moved from Milwaukee in 1966, with Aaron as its biggest star. -
Valdosta native Garland named to Armstrong Atlantic HOF
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced its latest induction class for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the six inductees and one Service Citation award winner is Valdosta native Nikki Garland, who ran cross county and track and field with the Pirates.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
