Hart County 23, Dunwoody 7 in playoff football

Anderson Independent-Mail, 11/17/06, by David Pittman

Hart County rolls Dunwoody

From the story:

HARTWELL, Ga. — Dunwoody head coach James Teter had the understatement of the night.

"We kind of self destructed," he said of his team’s second half performance.

Dunwoody turned the ball over on its first six possessions of the second half, helping Hart County to a 23-7 opening-round 8-AAA playoff victory.

Every time Dunwoody was close to scoring, the Wildcats either fumbled or threw an interception to score.

"I didn’t realize it was happening that much," Hart County head coach Joby Scroggs said of Dunwoody’s never-ending flow of turnovers. "We’ll take that anytime we can get it."

Dunwoody was able to stay close for much of the game despite its eight turnovers on the night.

With the score 14-7 early in the third quarter, Dunwoody was about the run the ball in for a touchdown from the 1-yard line. But Hart County’s Steve Burton caused a fumble that was recovered by teammate Shane McCord.

Dunwoody was running away from the Kentucky-signee in the first half, so Hart coaches switched McCord’s position on the defensive line and good things started happening for the Bulldogs.

"It was a good move and I started making big plays when we need it," said McCord who had two fumble recoveries in the game.

In the first half, Hart County was almost outplayed by the Wildcats. Dunwoody had 11 first downs and nearly 200 yards on offense. Hart’s usually explosive offensive was held to just 100 yards in the first half.

Hart’s junior quarterback Kurvin Curry said his team made too many mistakes in the first half.

"They did everything we expected them to do," Curry said. "We just kept shooting ourselves in the foot."

Hart scored one of its two first-half touchdowns thanks to the first Dunwoody turnover that gave the Bulldogs the ball on the Dunwoody three-yard line.

Jerod Jackson picked off Dunwoody’s Jeron Sykes’ slant pass and returned it 57 yards. On the next play, Ren Teasley ran off the right side of the line for the game’s first touchdown.

Dunwoody scored its only touchdown on a 17-play, 99-yard first half drive. But whatever first half success Dunwoody was able to get was wiped out by its disastrous second half.

"Every time you hit them, they caved in," said junior defensive back Richie Rucker, who had two interceptions.