Cedar Grove receiver Jesse Reverio (4), shown here against Southwest DeKalb, had touchdown catches of 68 and 47 yards to help rally the Saints to a 28-14 Class 3A state playoff victory over Oconee County. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Cedar Grove receiver Jesse Reverio (4), shown here against Southwest DeKalb, had touchdown catches of 68 and 47 yards to help rally the Saints to a 28-14 Class 3A state playoff victory over Oconee County. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Twenty-eight second half points rallied the No. 3 ranked Cedar Grove Saints to a 28-14 Class 3A high school football state playoffs second round road victory over the Oconee County Warriors on Friday in Watkinsville.

Oconee County (9-3) led 7-0 at the half before the Saints (10-1-1) went on to score 28 unanswered points in rallying for the victory.

The first Saints score of the night tied the game at 7-7 as quarterback Jalani Woods connected with Jesse Reverio on a 68-yard pass and run.

After stopping the Warriors again, the Saints marched downfield on the back of All-State running back Labron Morris (20 carries, 183 yards rushing). Morris broke away for a 47 yard run to the Warrior 11 to set up Tre’ Shaw’s 11-yard touchdown run to give Cedar Grove the lead for good at 14-7.

Morris made it 22-7 with a six-yard touchdown run to open the fourth quarter as the Saints also made good on the two-point conversion after the touchdown.

Oconee County pulled back within 22-14 on its next possession.

The Saints answered with Reverio taking in another Woods pass for 47 yards and the touchdown to seal the 28-14 victory with three minutes to play in the game.

The Saints defense was led by linebacker Adrian Fendell who had three sacks, one causing a fumble.

Jelani Woods finished 8 of 13 passing for 210 yards and two touchdowns while his big target Reverio had 5 receptions for 143 yards and the two big touchdown plays.

The Saints will host Westside-Macon (9-3), the Region 2, No. 4 seed which defeated Sonaraville 43-10 at Calhoun on Friday night in a 7:30 pm Class 3A quarterfinal playoff game at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston.

South Forsyth 42, Tucker 35
Down by 21 points the Tucker Tigers put on a furious rally attempt, but came up short 42-35 to the South Forsyth War Eagles to fall out of the Class 6A state football playoffs on Friday in Cumming.

The Tigers (8-4) had jumped out to a 21-14 in the second quarter only to see the War Eagles (11-1) knot the game just before the half on a Davis Shanley to Ronnie Chambliss 26 yard pass play.

The War Eagles struck on three big runs in the third quarter the first one of 50 yards by Stanley Opeagba to break the tie at 28-21. Shanley escaped for a 70 yard run for a TD and Sam Outlaw scored on an 87-yard run as South Forsyth took a commanding 42-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Tigers scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull within 42-35. The War Eagles’ defense then came up with a bit interception by Curtis Roach and forced Tucker to turn the ball over on downs to preserve the victory.

DEKALB FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS
Friday, Nov. 20
Class 6A State Playoffs
South Forsyth (11-1) 42, Tucker (8-4) 35
Class 3A State Playoffs
Cedar Grove (10-1-1) 28, Oconee Co. (9-3) 14

DEKALB FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Class 3A State Playoffs
Westside-Macon (9-3) vs. Cedar Grove (10-1-1), Hallford, 7:30 pm