The North Georgia defense recorded its first shutout of the season on Saturday against the Metro Atlanta Giants.
The Bulldogs were able to take advantage of a tired Giants team that came into the game with around only 20 players. North Georgia scored 27 points in the last 19 minutes of the game.
The game did not start well for North Georgia (5-1). The team came in shorthanded as they entered the United South Football League match-up without their starting quarterback Lacey Herring, who was out of town visiting family.
The Bulldogs were also without fullback Anthony Hall do to an injury, and right tackle Logan McDaniel came out of the game early because of effects caused by a concussion suffered in the previous week’s game against the Horsemen. Also missing for unknown reasons was the team’s best receiver Mike Page.
“Mike draws a lot of attention and without him they were able to double team our other receivers,” said Coach Mark Bramblett. “We really missed his presence.”
Starting in Herring’s place was backup QB Joseph Corson. Corson, who has been limited to playing only when the Bulldogs were up big this season, is the oldest player on the team and oldest QB in the league, which he is more than willing to talk about.
“At the start of the game he was a little jittery but he started getting better as the game went on,” said Bramblett. “But you could tell without Lacey hear we were hesitant at times.”
Despite the missing players, North Georgia still had the first opportunity to score, which came early in the first quarter. However, a bad handle on a snap caused kicker Tyler Jones to shank the ball left and short of the post on a field goal attempt.
Jones would get a second opportunity late in the quarter and this time would connect on a 19-yarder to give North Georgia a 3-0 lead with 2:09 left in the first.
The Bulldogs controlled the ball for the majority of the second quarter and had a chance to score just under the 2-minute mark.
Set up at the Metro Atlanta’s 2-yard line, North Georgia quarterback Joseph Corson attempted a sneak but while trying to stretch out fumbled the ball and the Giants (2-3) picked it up and took it out of the end zone.
The Bulldogs defense played up to its stellar expectations by frustrating the Metro Atlanta offensive line and quarterback Kerry Brown. The Giants never came close to scoring in the first half.
Despite the defensive onslaught, North Georgia’s offensive struggles only allowed them to limp into halftime with a 3-point lead.
The second half started as the first half ended with North Georgia making a big play but then coughing the ball up.
Corson hit Jamall Hall with a short pass up the middle and Hall then took the ball 30-plus yards to midfield but fumbled it to the Giants at the 50-yard line.
Despite the good field position it was a quick 3-and-out for Metro Atlanta as the Bulldog defense again put the pressure on.
With both offenses struggle, it was the Giants defense that gave North Georgia their best opportunity to score late in the third quarter.
After an unsportsmanlike penalty, the Bulldogs took the ball at Metro Atlanta’s 5-yard line. Jeff Phillips, who took over at QB for Corson, took the snap and ran the ball into the end zone for six points. Jones connected on the point-after and the Bulldogs were finally able to stretch the lead to 10-0.
Garret Knaebel broke off the first big play for North Georgia with 12:31 remaining in the game. Knaebel busted through he Metro Atlanta line for a 52-yard TD run. Jones hit the point-after despite another bad snap to give the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead.
On the next drive North Georgia’s Quinton Kent saved a Giants touchdown pass when he was able to jump up at the last minute, and with his body fully stretched, knock down a 50-yard pass from new QB Traval Alexander. Metro Atlanta would turn the ball over on downs.
JT Hamilton got into the action with 6:17 left in the fourth on a 2-yard run for six points. Hamilton set up the touchdown run with a 20-yarder two players earlier. Jones connected on the PAT for a 24-0 North Georgia lead.
Hamilton added a 5-yard TD in the final minute of play to give North Georgia a 30-0 lead. A bad snap cost Jones the point-after try.
“Some guys really stepped up for us tonight and we were able to pick up the win,” said Bramblett.
The Bulldogs will travel to Tennessee on Saturday to play against the Express. The Bulldogs beat the Express at home earlier this season.
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