Brookwood storms past Terrell

Published 11:50 pm Friday, August 31, 2018

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Brookwood Warriors hit the Terrell Academy Eagles with a deluge of points.

In a game truncated to one half by storms, the Warriors ran back two interceptions for touchdowns and got three rushing TDs from Joe Parker in a 42-7 rout Friday night at Warrior Field.

With the win, Brookwood improved to 2-1.

“We played well. We played well in all three phases,” said Brookwood coach Shane Boggs. “It’s the first time this year we’ve put them all together on one night.”

The Warriors and Eagles were tied 7-7 barely three minutes into the game. But on fourth down at the Warriors 16-yard line, Eagles quarterback Blane Grace attempted to throw back across the field.

Instead of a receiver, his pass found Bridger Middleton, and the Warriors defensive back raced 90 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

“The pick-six by Bridger obviously turned it,” Boggs said.

Ethan Myers’ interception at the Warriors 20 off a tipped pass set up the next score. Quarterback Joe Parker darted through the Eagles defense, knocking over two Terrell defenders at the Eagles 20, and scored on a 46-yard run with 10:25 to go in the half.

“Joe’s gotten a lot stronger,” Boggs said, also complimenting Colin Grimsley’s kick-out block. “He’s always had the ability to make people miss. Now he’s starting to run over some people. That adds a whole new element.

Brookwood’s defense got into the scoring act on the next Eagles possession, as Nic Lauderdale dashed 53 yards with an interception return and 28-7 lead.

After a short Terrell punt, Parker scored from 26 yards out with 8:12 left in the half, and his Nick Knifer’s leaping fourth down grab at the 1 led to Parker’s third rushing score.

The Warriors had a chance for more points but Jonathan Burns’ 36-yard field goal midway through the second quarter sailed just wide.

Brookwood’s final interception of the half came when Jarcariaous Lewis picked off Grace in the end zone with 15.3 seconds left in the half.

The Warriors sprinted down the field on their first possession, going 80 yards in five plays. Parker connected with Jacob Atkinson, who made a diving catch in the end zone, for a 25-yard scoring strike just 1:32 into the game.

But the Eagles answered quickly. On their second play from scrimmage, Grace hit 6-foot-4 receiver Jordan Weekly for a 68-yard touchdown.

“To start with, I was really pleased. You take the opening kickoff and score,” Boggs said. “That was a great thing for our offense. I don’t think our guys were expecting them to punch back like they did. But I am pleased with how our approach was after that. We had 28 points on offense with no turnovers, 14 defensive points and played really solid on special teams as well. It was a great night.”

Including the four interceptions, the Warriors defense came up with a fourth-down stop and did not allow a third-down conversion. Brookwood also recovered an onside kick.

“We took care of the football on offense,” Boggs said. “We forced some turnovers. To have defensive touchdowns is always a big deal.”