Pike County running back Artez Oglesby (2) looks for running room as Spalding's Tevarus Harris (57) and Xeryous Dewberry (2) are in pursuit during their preseason scrimmage Aug. 17. Oglesby, a junior, had 5 TDs and 197 yards rushing against Upson-Lee last week. (Photo courtesy of Steve Knight)
Local football fans who ventured to Memorial Stadium in Griffin got the chance to witness Spalding High nearly upset the Lamar County Trojans, the No. 2 state-ranked team in Class AA, while up the road in Zebulon, Class AAA Pike County had a wild contest against Spalding and Griffin’s subregion foe, the Upson-Lee Knights.
Pike County 40, Upson-Lee 39 (2OT):
ZEBULON — The Pike County Pirates football team started the 2012 season in dramatic fashion Aug. 31, defeating the Knights of Upson-Lee 40-39 in double overtime to begin 1-0.
Junior running back Artez Oglesby did yeoman’s work for the Pirates against Upson-Lee, rushing for 197 yards on 18 carries and scoring four touchdowns. He even had a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown, to boot.
“This was an unbelievable game,” Pirates head coach Brad Webber said. “I tell you what, I am definitely drained.”
Pike led Upson (0-1) 14-3 at halftime and the game was tied at 26-26 at the end of regulation. Webber and Upson head coach Tommy Watson both agreed to go into overtime and that’s when the party truly started.
Oglesby scored a TD for Pike and Upson scored a TD right after to knot the first overtime period at 33-33. In the second OT, Upson took the lead 39-33 on a TD and the Knights tried to go for a 2-point conversion afterward. But Pike’s defense rose to the occasion and stuffed the 2-point attempt and the score remained 39-33, Upson-Lee. Pike then got a rushing TD from quarterback Tyler Gregory to tie the game at 39 and kicker Jarrod Fuqua’s point-after gave the Pirates the wild victory, 40-39, as Fuqua was mobbed by his teammates.
Pike travels to Macon to face First Presbyterian Day Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Lamar 3, Spalding 3:
Lamar County junior twins Lance and Lawrence Austin combined for more than 200 yards rushing, but the Trojans couldn’t dent the end zone against the Spalding Jaguars last Friday and both teams settled for a 3-3 tie to start their seasons at 0-0-1. Lance, the Trojans’ quarterback and Lawrence, the tailback, accounted for 59 yards on their frantic final drive of the fourth quarter to get Lamar within field goal range. Tyler Scandrett booted the game-tying field goal in a game marked by tremendous defensive plays all night.
Lamar hosts Eagle’s Landing Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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