Sale Creek football coach Ron Cox speaks with his team during a break in a scrimmage at Silverdale Baptist on Aug. 4, 2017. Last Friday, the Panthers beat Copper Basin for their first region win in two years.When Sale Creek's varsity football team rallied late for a 27-26 Region 3-1A win over Copper Basin last Friday at Finley Stadium, it put the Panthers on the cusp of earning a goal that has been six years in the making.
The gutsy win has set up Sale Creek to earn its first state playoff berth in the program's six-year history.
"Our goal before the season was to finish with a .500 record and to earn a playoff spot," Panthers coach Ron Cox said after his team's first region win since 2016. "We knew what was on the line going into the game, and I'm really proud of the way our guys fought till the end to get a huge win for our program.
"The players have handled it well. We celebrated quite a bit right after the game, but they came back Monday ready to practice and try to win our next game and help us get to our other goal for the season. Now we want to go out and win next week and get third."
If the Panthers defeat Lookout Valley next week at Finley, they will earn at least the No. 3 seed from the region, but regardless of the outcome of that game, unless winless Copper Basin can knock off both South Pittsburg and Lookout Valley later this season, Sale Creek will finish no worse than fourth in the region.
It had been a frustrating season until last Friday, with the season opener getting canceled by inclement weather while the Panthers were leading Sunbright 21-0 in the first quarter. That was followed by shutout losses to Grace Academy and South Pittsburg, and after the loss to Grace, four starters quit the team.
With 1:28 remaining in last week's game, Sale Creek had the ball near midfield, trailing Copper Basin 26-20. A halfback pass and several key runs later, the Panthers were at the Cougars' 1-yard line, where, with 17 seconds remaining, Tanner Harvey scored on a quarterback sneak.
"When that clock hit all zeros, that was a great feeling. It was a blessing," said Cox, whose team narrowly missed the postseason last year with a 7-0 loss at Copper Basin. "We had a touchdown called back and fumbled at their 15, but our guys never gave up.
"I'm really happy and proud for our seniors and all those kids who have stuck it out with us that will get to play in the playoffs now."
Colts also celebrate
Coahulla Creek coach Caleb Bagley knew the next win for his football team would be huge, but even he was surprised at the reaction after last Friday's 35-7 win over Murray County, his alma mater. The victory ended a 27-game losing streak, the state of Georgia's longest.
"It has definitely been great. What an awesome night for the whole school and community," the second-year Colts coach said. "It has injected our kids with some confidence, which was the biggest thing lacking here. We've got a new pep in our step, for sure. It's been great for the whole school, not just the football team."
Quarterback Cade Bates threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, while Michael King caught one of the touchdown catches and returned an interception 80 yards for another score. The win came a week after the Colts lost in overtime to Southeast Whitfield.
"It was a roller coaster of emotion for our kids, but they learned a lot from it," Bagley said of the loss to Southeast. "We had a couple of touchdowns called back due to penalty, and those were great examples of how the little things can lead to losses. We definitely played the best all-around game of my time here against Murray, so lessons were learned."
Special start for Lions
Fresh off an upset win over top-ranked Mount Zion of Carrollton that improved Christian Heritage's record to 4-0, the Dalton school was rewarded this week by ascending to the top of the GHSA Class A private school power ratings.
The Lions, who overcame a 26-point halftime deficit the week before to defeat Class AAAA LaFayette, are enjoying the quick rise, though coach Jay Poag is preaching restraint.
"It's obviously exciting for our school," he said. "Our kids have worked so hard and it's reinforcing the fact that hard work really does pay off. We've certainly had a very cool last couple of weeks. But, I know this, we have to keep developing and getting better each week, because we have to play some very good football teams over the next five weeks.
"All we can ask out of our kids is to stay focused on the little things and continue to improve each week. I trust that our guys are committed to doing that."
The Lions' quest to remain on top continues next Friday with a home game against undefeated Darlington.