The Junior Team was never really challenged in the 37-7 victory over the seniors in the second game of the Georgia Elite Classic at historic Barron Stadium in Rome. Beginning with Mack Mikko’s 45-yard field goal early in the game which – because of Georgia Elite Classic rules – gave four points to the underclassmen, the Juniors never let up.
DJ Rogers (Pepperell) put the Juniors up 11-0 on a 14-yard run with 8:52 left in the second quarter. The Senior team’s only offensive production, a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Mauldin (Paulding County) to LaShaun Lester (Chattooga), cut into the lead 11-7 but the juniors controlled the remainder of the game.
Levi Linowes (Riverwood) caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Mayers (Holy Innocents’) to put the Juniors up 17-7 with 12:03 left in the third quarter. Just before the end of the third quarter, Rogers scored on a 3-yard run to push the lead to 24-7. Josh Brockman’s 21-yard field goal with 10:24 left in the game put the lead to 27-7. On the next play, Branden Strozier (St. Francis) intercepted a pass and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. Mack Mikko’s (Heritage) 33-yard field goal brought the score to its final tally.
Rogers had 10 carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns to lead the juniors. Mayers was 5-of-9 passing for 29 yards and a touchdown. Linowes finished with two receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Gabe Harris led with five solo tackles, three assists, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
For the seniors, Mauldin was 6-of-9 passing for 53 yards and a touchdown. Cole Spence (Pisgah) had three receptions for 33 yards and Lester had one reception for a touchdown to lead senior receivers.
You can watch the other two Georgia Elite Classic All Star Games by following the link or check out the GEC Scoreboard.