Devils Grab 31st Region Title with 30-0 Rout of Warren County

October 21, 2005

Lincoln County continued its resurgence from early-season woes as it walloped the visiting Warren County Screaming Devils 30-0 Friday night to capture the 2005 Region 7-A Football Championship.

The region title is the 31st for the Devils, second in Georgia to only Valdosta with 34. The big win provides Lincoln County with home field in at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. Jefferson High looks to be the first round opponent November 4.

The win continued the Red Devils' dominance over Warren County, as the Screaming Devils have beaten LCHS since 1971.

Warren County had averaged over 40 points per game during its past 5 wins, but did not get inside the Lincoln 25 during the game. Warren lost 5 fumbles as their Devils were hit hard by our Red Devils.

Lincoln's diversified offense clicked well. QB Brandon Barden completed 7 of 12 pass attempts for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Those yards represent his best game so far this year. Eight different rushers contributed to 162 yards on the ground, with Shawntavius Jennings scoring twice.

Big Red took the opening kickoff and drove from its 26 to the Warren 12. Franklin Jones went the final yards around the left side untouched with 7:41 left in the first quarter.

Warren County looked to come right back, connecting on a 44-yard pass on its first play to the Lincoln 31. The Screamers fumbled on the next play, with the guys in Red recovering at the 32. Lincoln showed it could pass as well, when Barden found Ricardo Norman open on a 68-yard TD pass. Big Red had scored 12 points in just over half-a-minute of game time.

After an exchange of punts, Warren started from its 31. Jeffrey Porter recovered the second Warren fumble at their 32. Barden connected with Rontae Norman for 18 yards before Tyler Beale rushed for 4. One play later, Brandon found Rontae open at about the 6, with Rontae scoring after a great block by Jatheus Jones at the 5. The Devils led 18-0 at the half.

Warren County fumbled on the second half kickoff return, with Lincoln recovering at the WC 24. Six plays later Shawntavius Jennings scored from the 3 with 8:26 left in the third quarter. After another punt, the Devils drove from the WC 44 to the 16 where they faced 3rd-&-1. Barden connected with Jones for 14 yards to the 2. Jennings then scored with 3:04 left in the third quarter and the Red Devils in control 30-0.

The fourth quarter was played with a running clock under the GHSA's "mercy rules."