TALLAHASSEE — For some who waited all week let alone all year for the match-up between the Godby Cougars and Lincoln Trojans … it was a bit of a let down. The Cougars won their second straight “city” title by beating the Trojans 33-3 at Gene Cox Stadium Friday night.
“We don’t take this game lightly. This is a good test always before playing in the playoffs,” said Ronnie Cottrell, head coach of the Cougars.
Godby’s quick tempo spread attack seemed to be too much for the Trojans at times. Despite not hitting his mark passing, 3 of 16 for 42 yards and an interception, recent Liberty University commit J.T. Bradwell more than made up with his feet running for 85 yards not the night.
Godby’s Kenny Young got things started when he rushed for a touchdown on his first carry of the night from 14 yards out. The score came after the Cougar special teams unit recovered a mishandled punt by the Trojan’s punter.
Not soon after Santonio Wiggins, a senior defensive lineman for the Cougars, forced and recovered a fumble that led to another score not soon after for Godby.>
This prompted a change at quarterback for the Trojans. Darius Harvey was pulled for Kendall Randolph. Randolph usually plays in the defensive backfield but saw time at quarterback last year so he was the Trojans first choice to replace Harvey.
“We just wanted to sit him down to get Darius’s head in the game,” said head coach of Lincoln, Yusuf Shakir.
Harvey although was later inserted after the offense sputtered without him. He finished the night 11 for 27 with 126 passing yards. Also throwing an interception and losing a fumble.
After scoring on a Revonte Robinson 9 yard carry the Cougars took a 13-0 lead with 4:38 left in the first quarter.
Javon O’neal, a junior corner and backup quarterback, electrified the crowd with a 90 yard punt return with a little over two minutes left in the first quarter. The Cougars opted to go for two following the return and failed to score. The score at the close of the first was 19-0.
The second quarter was riddled full of mistakes by both teams. Not only were penalties a factor but also turnovers. Bradwell threw his first and only interception of the night on his second attempted pass. While on the Trojan side they turned the ball over 2 times in the quarter with a Harvey interception and also a Harvey fumble.
“It’s tough closing the year out like this. We want to send our seniors out on top. At this point going into the playoffs everybody is 0-0 so we have a second chance,” said Shakir.
After the half the Cougar offense returned to running their offense through their lead running back Kenny Young to get the job done. Young opened the quarter with 5 straight carries. He was able to close the series out with some nifty moves and find the end zone from 35 yards out to cap off a 73 yard drive. The score extended Godby’s lead to 25 points after Lincoln blocked the extra point attempt.
Although on the next series Young did manage to cough up the ball and fumble. Young finished with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
This turnover was taken advantage of by Lincoln. The Trojans avoided the shutout bid with a Brian Crews 32 yard field goal. Lincoln trailed Godby 25-3 going into the last quarter.
After an exchange of punts the Trojans drove down the field to set up a scoring opportunity that would have brought them one step closer to a comeback. But once again the turnover bug plagued the Trojans and they fumbled the ball which was their fourth turnover on the night.
Upon the recovery of the fumble the Cougars took to air with a couple of nice Bradwell passes to get down the field in a hurry. But after a bone crushing hit from Kendall Randolph the Cougars starting quarterback went to the bench with a shoulder injury.
He was replaced by Peyton Scharinger.
Scharinger and running back P.J. Simmons led the attack late and tacked on a late touchdown with 2:10 left in the game.
“We have two capable backups if J.T. can’t go next week. All we have to do is come out and play fast and physical and we will be fine,” said Simmons.
Next up for both teams are playoff games in their respective classes. Lincoln will host Tate in the first round of the 7A class playoffs. While the defending 5A champion Godby Cougars will begin their title defense against visiting West Florida.
