NewsAthleticsUpper School
Tigers at 3-0 Continue Streak; Have Won 18 Straight Games
Oct 1, 1999 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Darlington’s varsity football team, ranked number five in Georgia’s Class A, has won its first three games of the season, continuing a remarkable streak that began the first game of last year’s state championship season. The team has won 18 games in a row, and 29 out of its last 30 games.
In the third game of the season Sept. 17, the Tigers came from behind to beat homestanding Callaway 14-6 in LaGrange. The team used a tremendous defensive effort to overcome a 6-0 first half deficit and numerous mistakes.
Callaway took the lead in the second quarter on a seven yard run, only to see the extra point blocked by Senior Vann Knight.
Less than three minutes into the second half, the Tigers took control on a Blake Rolan 7-yard touchdown pass to Scott Foss. Place kicker Stephen Whatley put the Tigers ahead 7-6 with the first of two extra points on the night. Foss scored the final touchdown to close out the scoring.
The season’s second game, Sept. 10, was dominated in the second half by Darlington, as the team pulled out a 28-10 win over Greater Atlanta Christian. Behind 10-0, the Tigers responded with a 43-yard touchdown pass by Rolan to Chris Presley just before halftime. In the second half, Darlington added three touchdowns, with Barrett Fleming scoring on an 88-yard Rolan pass, and Foss and Rolan scoring on short running plays.
The opening game, at home on Sept. 3, was a high-scoring affair, with the Tigers racking up 35 points against Rockmart’s 21. Scoring for Darlington were Knight (runs of 5 and 60 yards) and Fleming (35-yard, 1-yard, and 18-yard passes from Rolan).
“There is something to be said for a team that knows how to win, and so far that is what this team has managed to do,” Coach Jerry Sharp said. “I hope we can take our off-week and heal up some dings and grind off some rough edges.”
The Tigers’ next game will be at home against Calhoun Friday, Oct. 1.
For more information on Darlington’s football program, including photographs, descriptions of plays, and analyses of opponents, see the Tiger Football website, created by assistant coach Tim Green and senior Barrett Fleming. To see the site, go to www.darlington.rome.ga.us and select the Tiger Football option from the menu to the left.
Junior Varsity Team 1-1
The junior varsity football team started the season in promising fashion with a 35-8 victory over Model Sept. 16, but the Tigers lost to Lovett 41- 0 on Sept. 22. “The JV Tigers dress out 40 players and are impressive in size and skill,” Coach Greg Griffeth said.
In the third game of the season Sept. 17, the Tigers came from behind to beat homestanding Callaway 14-6 in LaGrange. The team used a tremendous defensive effort to overcome a 6-0 first half deficit and numerous mistakes.
Callaway took the lead in the second quarter on a seven yard run, only to see the extra point blocked by Senior Vann Knight.
Less than three minutes into the second half, the Tigers took control on a Blake Rolan 7-yard touchdown pass to Scott Foss. Place kicker Stephen Whatley put the Tigers ahead 7-6 with the first of two extra points on the night. Foss scored the final touchdown to close out the scoring.
The season’s second game, Sept. 10, was dominated in the second half by Darlington, as the team pulled out a 28-10 win over Greater Atlanta Christian. Behind 10-0, the Tigers responded with a 43-yard touchdown pass by Rolan to Chris Presley just before halftime. In the second half, Darlington added three touchdowns, with Barrett Fleming scoring on an 88-yard Rolan pass, and Foss and Rolan scoring on short running plays.
The opening game, at home on Sept. 3, was a high-scoring affair, with the Tigers racking up 35 points against Rockmart’s 21. Scoring for Darlington were Knight (runs of 5 and 60 yards) and Fleming (35-yard, 1-yard, and 18-yard passes from Rolan).
“There is something to be said for a team that knows how to win, and so far that is what this team has managed to do,” Coach Jerry Sharp said. “I hope we can take our off-week and heal up some dings and grind off some rough edges.”
The Tigers’ next game will be at home against Calhoun Friday, Oct. 1.
For more information on Darlington’s football program, including photographs, descriptions of plays, and analyses of opponents, see the Tiger Football website, created by assistant coach Tim Green and senior Barrett Fleming. To see the site, go to www.darlington.rome.ga.us and select the Tiger Football option from the menu to the left.
Junior Varsity Team 1-1
The junior varsity football team started the season in promising fashion with a 35-8 victory over Model Sept. 16, but the Tigers lost to Lovett 41- 0 on Sept. 22. “The JV Tigers dress out 40 players and are impressive in size and skill,” Coach Greg Griffeth said.
