CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. - It was billed as a showdown between two of the best Class A running backs in Georgia, but the big boys made the ultimate difference in Darlington's 42-20 win over Gordon Lee.
Darlington junior star Tijai Whatley rushed for 209 yards and two touchdowns and added another on a 9-yard reception, while Gordon Lee's Drew Cobb had a respectable 105 yards on 27 hard carries and a pair of scores.
While each defense packed their fronts to limit runs, the Darlington front line, after a slow start, won the battle.
"Their physicality was the difference," Gordon Lee coach Greg Ellis said. "Both their lines were awesome and we couldn't deal with them. They had Cobb's number. The problem was we couldn't throw the ball, and that's what we had to do to open things up."
His Trojans (3-1), who came in with the No. 1 power ranking in Class A public school, scored the game's first points on a 69-yard drive in which sophomore quarterback Austin Thompson was 3-for-4 through the air for 31 yards. Cobb, who had a 13-yard run in the drive, scored on a 9-yard run late in the first quarter, but the point-after kick try was missed.
The Tigers (3-1), ranked No. 2 on the private school side, answered right back, marching 64 yards as Whatley broke off a 29-yard run and quarterback Cameron Evans found his groove with two 15-yard completions. Whatley capped the seven-play drive with a 5-yard run.
"We woke up after they took it us early," Darlington coach Tommy Atha said. "That credit goes to Gordon Lee. We know when we play here or they come to our place that they are ready to play. They've got a good football team, and that Cobb kid is scary every time he touches the football.
"It took us a few minutes until we could figure out where we wanted to attack them, but we found a few creases and things we liked. Fortunately, we were able to throw the ball a bit, too, and convert some things, especially the way they were packing the box."
The score was still just 7-7 with under five minutes left in the first half when Whatley broke off a 55-yard run on Darlington's opening play following a Gordon Lee punt to make it 14-7. Following a quick three-and-out, the Tigers needed just two plays to make it 21-6 when Evans, on a nice play-action fake, hit Elijah McKoy with a 33-yard touchdown pass.
Any comeback hopes were lost when the visitors scored on their first two drives of the second half, the first drive set up by a Skyler Sledge interception at the Gordon Lee 28 and capped by Evans' 7-yard keeper.
Moments later Evans capped a 44-yard drive with a 9-yard pass to Whatley, effectively ending the game.
"Our kids have got to learn how to compete and get stronger in the weight room," Ellis said. "We've got a new week next week, and we go for four (wins) next week."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22