The Winder-Barrow High School football team was fresh off its first win since 2009, but that emotion was not enough to carry the Bulldoggs to victory this past Friday night.
WBHS fell 38-7 on the road against Clarke Central as the Gladiators locked up a playoff spot with the win.
It took Clarke Central until midway through the first half to get on the scoreboard on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Johnson to Amir Wilson.
The Gladiators then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return and took advantage of the turnover on a 38-yard field goal.
Austin Johnson then checked into the game at quarterback and threw a 34-yard touchdown for a 17-0 advantage. The lead moved to 24-0 on a 14-yard run by Jalani Payne. Clarke Central took that lead into halftime.
WBHS had some first half opportunities, but could not cash in. Al Schotter picked up a fumble and had a big return which was taken away on a penalty.
Chandon Sullivan also had an interception to stop a Gladiator drive, but the Bulldoggs would then turn the football over after a fumble.
Clarke Central closed the door on the game early in the second half on a a touchdown pass from Johnson to to Denzel Maxey.
Christian Hodge put WBHS on the board on a 34-yard pass to Sullivan in the fourth quarter. The final score came on a 14-yard touchdown run by Clarke Central’s Tre White.
Both teams will close out the regular season against their county rivals. Clarke Central will will face Cedar Shoals for the Classic City Championship while WBHS will host Apalachee in the Battle of Barrow.
