Class A Div. II Blog: Early County and Lincoln County meet in semifinals for first time

Clinch County and Early County will host Bowdon and Lincoln County in the semifinals, respectively. In the quarterfinals, Clinch County defeated an undefeated Wheeler County team 27-22. Clinch County led 14-6 after the first quarter and 21-14 at the half before weathering an 8-6 effort from Wheeler County in the fourth quarter to advance. Clinch is two victories away from its ninth state title – 1988, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018. The Panthers will play host to Bowdon in the semifinals. Bowdon’s quarterfinal victory saw the Red Devils defeat Jenkins County 49-22. Joshua Hopkins scored on a 12-yard run to put Bowdon ahead. Joshua Chandler scored on a five-yard run to expand the lead to 14-0.

Hopkins passed to Kaiden Prothro with four minutes left in the first half to put Bowdon ahead 21-0. Prothro passed to Hopkins to expand the margin to 28-0 for Bowdon. Hopkins passed 30 yards to Keilan Prothro early in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 35-0. Hopkins’ pass to Kaiden Prothro with eight minutes left in the third quarter put Bowdon ahead 42-0. Bowdon capped its scoring on a seven-yard pass from Hopkins to Kaiden Prothro with nine minutes left in the game. Bowdon will play Clinch County in the semifinals

On the other side of the bracket Eary County advanced to the semifinals with a 27-20 win over Screven County. Early County trailed 14-0 after the first quarter after a 20-yard run from Demarko Ward and a short run by AB Hilton. But the team rallied to tie the game at 14 at the half after a run from Evan Grist and a pass from Jimmy Jones to Grist. Early County took the lead on a pass from Drayden Roberts to Dard with two minutes left in the third quarter. Leading 21-20, a rushing touchdown by Devonis Lee proved the deciding pay with three minutes left in the game to expand the lead to 27-20. Early County will play Lincoln County in the semifinals. The No. 1 ranked Red Devils cruised past Brooks County 52-16. Lincoln County led 21-3 after the first quarter and 28-10 at the halfway point. Lincoln expanded the lead by a 14-6 advantage in the third quarter and put the game out of reach outscoring Brooks 10-0 in the fourth quarter.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

The battle between host Clinch County and Bowdon will be the third all-time meeting between the schools. This is Bowdon’s fourth straight semifinal appearance. Bowdon is trying to reach the finals for the fourth season in a row and is a three-time defending champion. Bowdon is 7-3 all-time in semifinals. This is Clinch County's first semifinal appearance since 2020. Clinch County is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class A public in 2018. Clinch County is 10-9 all-time in semifinals. Across the bracket, Lincoln County and host Early County will meet for the first time in school history.

This is Lincoln County's first semifinal appearance since 2022. Lincoln County is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class A in 2006. Lincoln County is 18-9 all-time in semifinals. This is Early County's first semifinal appearance since 2006. Early County is trying to reach the finals for the first time since 2001. Early County is 3-6 all-time in semifinals.

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