Dodge enjoys a record night

Dodge County had its fill of being an annual whipping boy for Dublin. The Indians had lost to their regional rival for eight straight years and 10 of the last 11. Dodge’s last win in the series was in 2003. But no one could have anticipated Friday’s 61-7 landslide.

The 61 points set a record for the most scored by either team in the series, which dates back to 1957. Dublin had scored 56 in 2004, but Dodge had never scored more than 39 and only five times had scored more than 22. Dodge ran the ball for 421 yards and Roscoe Wilcox had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Dodge has now scored 96 points and allowed only 12 in winning its first two games. The last time Dodge opened with two wins was 2007, the school’s last trip to the postseason.

The win pushed the Indians into the state rankings at No. 10. Their last appearance in the state rankings was 2007, when they got as high as No. 4.

Look who’s 2-0

Central Carroll handed Douglass coach Rodney Cofield a defeat in his debut with the Astros. Central won 14-9 and improved to 2-0. Jayleen Terry rushed for 73 yards to lead Central. Jacob Lewis had 11 tackles, two sacks and recovered a fumble for Central. The Lions have won the first games of the season since 2005, when they finished 7-5.

Jackson of Atlanta blanked Therrell 14-0 and has its first 2-0 start. The Jaguars, in the fifth year of existence, is trying to make the playoffs for the first time. Last year’s team went 5-5 for its first non-losing season.

Dawson County blanked Lumpkin County 35-0, as quarterback Tyler Dominy continued his stellar play with 235 yards and four touchdown passes, along with one TD run. Just as impressive was the Tigers defense, which notched its second shutout despite missing two seniors. Lumpkin rushed for only seven yards against Dawson last week.

The Best for the B.E.S.T.

B.E.S.T. Academy isn’t your typical school. The Atlanta school was started as a boys-only school with small classrooms, designed to prepare its students for college. The students are exposed to a strong academic curriculum in language, social studies, reading and math. (Coretta Scott King High is the girls-only equivalent.)

The school offers a limited number of athletic teams, including football are are competing in varsity sports for the first time. So far, so good. The Eagles whipped Cross Keys 64-0 in the season opener – the school’s first varsity game — to set a tone for the season. Deshaun Waller ran for 104 yard and two touchdowns, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and returned an interception for a touchdown. Running back Wasonu Allen also ran for two scores. Linebacker Rontavious Belcher had five sacks and caused a fumble.

B.E.S.T. is playing a Region 4-AAA schedule this year. The Eagles play at Carver on Friday at Lakewood.

First impressions

It was a very success debut for North Murray coach David Gann. The Mountaineers ran for 441 yards and only threw two passes in a 37-14 win over Southeast Whitfield. Quarterback Brady Swilling ran for 229, tailback Jacob Mays ran for 113 and fullback Christian Bukle ran for 84 yards. The win snapped a 15-game losing streak for North Murray. . . .

Jackson County won its debut under first-year coach Benji Harrison. The Panthers, who haven’t had a winning season since 1992, defeated Winder-Barrow 21-10. . . . Hart County, starting its second term under William Devane, lost its opener to Cedar Shoals 21-0. Devane coached Hart from 1998-2000, leading the Bulldogs to a 38-3 record, before leaving for stints at Greene County and Clarke Central.