WAYNESBORO, Ga. - After Greenbrier's 21-0 win over Burke County on Friday night, Wolfpack coach Mickey Derrick wasn't going to give his team too much time to celebrate.
After all, a huge region matchup with Thomson awaits next Friday night. So it's back to the grind as Greenbrier begins its film session at 9 a.m. today.
"They better enjoy (Friday) night," Derrick said. "We'll be eating Bojangles biscuits and drinking orange juice in the morning."
After a 35-28 loss to Lakeside, Greenbrier (7-1, 5-1 Region 3-AAAA) has reeled off five consecutive victories. The Wolfpack are in position to win their first region title if they can defeat their remaining two opponents - Thomson and Statesboro.
"I think we have a good chance," Greenbrier junior running back J.C. Jennings said. "We've come a long way. We've been working hard in practice, and it's starting to show on the field."
Jennings rushed for two touchdowns and scored another on a trick play. Greenbrier's showed a balanced offensive attack, passing for 123 yards and rushing for 129.
Burke County (2-5, 0-5 Region 3-AAAA) could only dream of having a balanced offense - or any offense for that matter. The Bears, who have gone scoreless in five region contests, never drove inside the red zone. They gained 171 total yards.
The Bears were plagued by penalties, 14 for 121 yards. They drove to the Greenbrier 26 in the first half, but never got any closer after a holding penalty was called.
"A lot of penalties early hurt us with scoring," Burke County coach Steve Summers said.
The Bears pinned Greenbrier at the 1 midway through the second quarter. Quarterback Brooks Robinson helped lead his team downfield, completing three passes during an 11-play drive. On first-and-goal from the 3, Jennings swept left for his second touchdown. Greenbrier led 14-0 with 2:20 left in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the Wolfpack called a trick play it struggled with in practice. After Eugene Rogers ran for 32 yards on third-and-23 to move Greenbrier across midfield, Robinson pitched the ball to Rogers again. He stepped back and hit Jennings streaking down the sideline for a 36-yard touchdown.
"I was just saying on the bus over here that I hope I caught it if we ran the play," Jennings said.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 868-1222, ext. 114.
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