Ridgeland repeats

Mason Harris thought the Region 7-AAA championship had just been lost.

Allatoona kicker Nathan Shaw’s potential winning field goal whizzed by the Ridgeland defensive end’s hand as it headed toward the goal post on a low trajectory. However, much to Harris’ surprise, the kick missed wide left as the final horn sounded, securing Ridgeland’s 13-12 win and the program’s third conescutive region championship.

“I thought it was good,” Harris said with a shrug. “I first thought I was going to block it, but once it got past me I thought he hit it. What a way to win. We didn’t play that well, but we won our third title in a row.”

Ridgeland (9-1) will host the fourth-seeded team from Region 5 next week, while Allatoona (8-2) will host the No. 3 seed from that region.

The Buccaneers took over at their own 18 with 3:05 remaining following a Ridgeland drive that stalled deep in Allatoona territory. A 12-yard Jordan Holder reverse moved the ball into Ridgeland territory, and two plays later Miles Jones ripped off 24 yards to the Ridgeland 24.

That was within reach of kicker Shaw, who already had booted two field goals.

Three runs netted another first down before Allatoona coach Gary Varner let the clock run down to two seconds. A Ridgeland offside penalty moved the ball to the 13, but Shaw’s kick, following a high snap, sailed low past the left upright to trigger a wild celebration.

“I’m getting too old for games like this,” said Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis, whose team avenged an earlier loss to the Bucs. “That’s a good football team we just beat. We knew once they got inside the 30 that they were going to have a shot to kick it. Our kids just seemed to want it more. Holding them to the two field goals earlier is really what won this game, and that was all effort.”

The Bucs dominated the first half, outgaining the Panthers 151 yards to 79 and running 29 plays to Ridgeland’s 12, yet trailed 7-6 at halftime. Two time-consuming drives reached the Ridgeland 11 and 9, respectively, leading to short Shaw field goals.

In between, the Panthers showed off their big-play ability. Deonte Marsh returned the kickoff to the Allatoona 44, and two plays later fullback Paul Walton sprinted 38 yards untouched for a touchdown.

The Bucs regained the lead in the third quarter when their opening drive went 62 yards in 11 plays, with Jones (145 yards in 32 carries) and backup T.J. Herron (55 yards) doing most of the damage. Herron scored on fourth-and-1 from the 2, though the Bucs’ two-point conversion attempt failed for a 12-7 lead.

As it did earlier, Ridgeland needed just seconds to retaliate. Marsh returned the kickoff to midfield, and three plays later Walton (132 yards on 14 carries) burst in from the 25. Mariakis elected to go for two points, but Trey Stewart’s pass fell incomplete for a 13-12 lead, setting up the wild finish.

“We held them when we needed to on defense, and our offense got the big plays,” Mariakis said. “I’m so proud of this team, and now we have to get to work.”

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296.