Georgia's Tim Wansley of Buford High School outruns Florida All-Star Standford Samuels of Miami-Carol City High School as he scores a touchdown in the first half of the Georgia-Florida All-Star game Saturday, June 20, 1998, in Atlanta. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Georgia edges Florida in all-star game

Washington County's Terrence Edwards was the holder on the game-winning field goal

Web posted June 21, 1998

By Dwight Foxx
Staff Writer

ATLANTA -- The 14th annual Florida-Georgia High School All-Star Game came down to one play and Chance Gwaltney delivered.

Gwaltney booted a 33-yard field goal on the game's final play as Georgia edged Florida 23-21 in a thriller at the Georgia Dome on Saturday.

It's the first time since 1987-88 that Georgia has won consecutive games in the series. Florida leads the all-time series 6-5-3.

Washington County's Terrence Edwards was the holder on the game-winning field goal.

``I was thinking just catch the ball and get it on the tee so he (Gwaltney) can kick it,'' Edwards said.

Florida led 21-20 at intermission in a first half filled with turnovers and big plays.

The Washington County duo of Tyrie Williams and Terrence Edwards helped Georgia stay in the game in the first half despite five turnovers.

Edwards, who started at quarterback, had an 18-yard keeper on the first play of the four-play, 30-yard drive that led to Burns' score.

Williams batted a pass that forced a field goal that Florida missed.

Edwards would make one of the most spectacular plays of the day on the next play from scrimmage. Matt Schell, a Clemson signee, threw a jump ball that Edwards outleaped Florida-signee Derick Corker for and sprinted 69 yards for the score to tie the game at 14-14 with 2:20 remaining in the half.

``The ball was underthrown but I used my 39-inch vertical to outjump him for the ball,'' Edwards said.

Edwards had 93 all-purpose yards -- 70 receiving, 22 rushing and three returns -- in the opening half and finished with 104 all-purpose yards.

Buford's Tim Wansley was the Most Valuable Player in the game.

``I thought about it in the back of my mind,'' Edwards said. ``But a Bulldog (Wansley) got it so it doesn't matter.''

The fireworks in the second quarter were exhilarating after Edwards' touchdown reception. Florida came back when Bellisari connected with North Carolina-signee Bosley Allen on a 36-yard score to take a 21-14 lead with 1:26 remaining.

But the Georgia All-Stars had an answer. Tim Wansley, a Georgia signee, took a reverse-left play and blazed 69 yards to cut his squad's deficit to 21-20 with 28 seconds remaining in the half. The extra point was blocked.

Georgia turned the ball over five times on fumbles in the first half, which resulted in 14 Florida points.

In the second half, Georgia had one pass interception.

Florida had one turnover which resulted in seven Georgia points in the opening half and two turnovers for the game.

Neither team threatened to score in the third period.

A third Washington County player, linebacker Jessie Miller, saw extensive action at linebacker and Burke County's Lannis Baxley saw action on the offensive line at left guard.

Florida -- 6 15 0 0 - 21
Georgia -- 7 13 0 3 - 23

GA: Joe Burns 4 run (Chance Gwaltney kick)

FL: Steve Bellisari 1 run (kick failed)

FL: Earnest Graham 1 run (Quinton Callum kick)

GA: Terrence Edwards 70 pass from Matt Schell (Chance Gwaltney kick)

FL: Bosley Allen 36 pass from Steve Bellisari (David Wasielewski kick)

GA: Tim Wansley 69 run (kick blocked)