NORTH AUGUSTA --- Friday night's showdown between North Augusta and Irmo didn't seem to fit in a Week 7 game in October.
The humidity hinted at late August, but the atmosphere between the top two teams in Region 5-AAAA felt more like a postseason game in November.
Irmo escaped with a 31-24 victory and all but hoisted the region championship trophy.
"Everybody was tired out there by the end," Irmo coach Bob Hanna said. "Everybody just played their hearts out, and battled for 48 minutes. In the end, it was the big plays."
Both teams turned in their share of highlight plays, but Irmo emerged with a pair of clutch defensive stands to win it. North Augusta gained possession on its own 11-yard line in a 24-24 game with 3:23 on the clock, but quarterback Loranzo Hammonds fumbled on the second play of the drive and the bouncing ball ended up in the hands of Irmo's Bryce Douglass in the end zone for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
North Augusta's next possession ended with Johnathan Detouche picking off Hammonds in the end zone to seal the victory.
While Hammonds' fumble and desperation pass-turned-interception ended North Augusta's chances at a comeback victory, the junior quarterback also kept it in the game for 31/2 quarters.
"Yeah, people might say it was Loranzo's fumble, but without Loranzo, the game's not even close," North Augusta coach Dan Pippin said.
Hammonds finished with 299 yards and three touchdowns through the air and another 95 yards on the ground. He orchestrated two second-half scoring drives of 80 and 79 yards to tie the game, and completed 27 of 36 pass attempts to eight different receivers.
Irmo quarterback Dave Olson wasn't as accurate, completing 9 of 20, but the senior still managed 224 yards through the air. He threw touchdowns of 38 and 83 yards, both to David Frazier, who ended up with six receptions for 154 yards.
Irmo backup tailback Dawan Scott also rose to the occasion in place of starter Mustafa Greene, who stood on the sidelines in street clothes with an injured right foot. Scott rushed for 120 yards on 22 carries.
Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
IRMO 31, NORTH AUGUSTA 24
PLAY OF THE GAME: In a tie game with 3:02 left, Irmo's Bryce Douglass pounced on a North Augusta fumble in the end zone for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Irmo defensive end Markeem Blount spent plenty of time in North Augusta's backfield and came up with the hit on quarterback Loranzo Hammonds to cause the game-deciding fumble.
WHY IRMO WON: It capitalized on North Augusta's turnovers and produced just enough big plays to hold on.
WHY NORTH AUGUSTA LOST: Three fumbles cost the home team the game.
WHAT'S NEXT: Orangeburg-Wilkinson at North Augusta, 7:30 p.m., Friday; Irmo at Lexington, 7:30, Friday.
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