Cole Segraves and Colquitt County were shocked by a last-second field goal.
File photo by Dennis Carter
It may not have been pretty, but
North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) will certainly take the win.
The suburban Atlanta school stunned
No. 18 Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) 16-14 on a game-winning 33-yard field goal from
Michael D'Angola as time expired.
The wild finish concluded a sloppy season opener for both squads, as each team committed three turnovers in the first half.
Colquitt County got on the board first, kicking a field goal after recovering a botched punt return by North Gwinnett to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
North Gwinnett responded, taking a 7-3 lead thanks to a 33-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by
Andrew Westbrook. Following a safety, Colquitt County trimmed the lead to 7-5. North Gwinnett almost added to its lead late in the second quarter before a Colquitt County interception by
Tim Sanders thwarted the drive.
After nearly recording another safety late in the third, Colquitt County began with excellent field position following a North Gwinnett punt. It was forced to settle for a 30-yard field goal, but it was enough to grab an 8-7 lead.
Donnie Miles, North Gwinnett
File photo by Cecil Copeland
However, North Gwinnett regained momentum when North Carolina commit
Donnie Miles found a seam and outraced Colquitt County's defense for a 77-yard touchdown run as time expired in the third quarter to take a 13-8 lead into the fourth.
Cole Segraves, Colquitt County's 6-foot-5 senior quarterback, started to find his rhythm on the next drive, connecting with
Bobby Hill on a 42-yard pass. That enabled a 5-yard touchdown run by
John Boatright, making it 14-13. Colquitt County failed to convert on the two-point conversion attempt.
North Gwinnett looked like it had an opportunity for a late game-winning score, but Miles fumbled inside the 30-yard line to give the ball back to Colquitt County. It seemed as if Colquitt County would hold on for the victory, but North Gwinnett forced a punt and regained possession with roughly a minute to play and no timeouts.
D'Angola's field goal followed a quick drive led by North Gwinnett quarterback
Michael Haynes. Haynes was sacked on the next-to-last play, and North Gwinnett scrambled to get its kicking unit on the field. It was able to hike the ball with four seconds remaining, allowing for D'Angola's heroics.
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