South Gwinnett responds to 13-point deficit with 44 unanswered points in 52-21 win over Archer
After starting the season with 29-3 win in the Corky Kell Classic, the South Gwinnett Comets were slowed down by back to back losses to Gwinnett County rivals, Parkview and Brookwood respectively, but got back on track and on Friday, opened region play with their fourth consecutive win, defeating the Archer Tigers, 52-21.
And while the Comets keep momentum behind them heading into next week's showdown with Grayson, they would have to overcome a somewhat sluggish start to the night, before rolling to victory. As the game got underway, South Gwinnett would score on the opening drive as senior quarterback, CJ Peoples connected with senior wide receive, Jayden Juniors for 27-yard touchdown pass, as the Comets would take an 8-0 lead with a successful two-point conversion.
Flipping the switch
Despite the quick score, the Comets would find themselves trailing 21-8 at the end of the first quarter as Archer responded by scoring the next three touchdowns of the game, but once the second quarter began, South Gwinnett turn things around scoring 44 unanswered points in route to a 52-21 win. "I don't know that we turn a switch on, I just thought we were sleep," South Gwinnett head coach, Bryan Lamar said of his team turnaround performance in Friday's win.
"We came out here not ready to play," Lamar continued as he explained with his players being on fall break from school, he believes their focus was not where it needed to be ahead of kickoff. "They weren't focused from the time they came into the building and when you come out here and get behind against a good team, which I told them all week, this is a really good team, they have really good players, an excellent coaching staff, we're going to really have to be at our best," Lamar said of his conversation with his team prior to the game. "We kind of came out here going through the motions and got hit in the mouth,".
One play at a time
The Comets come from behind win began with field goal in the second quarter, followed by Peoples throwing his second touchdown of the night as he connected with senior Tristian Hayes and by halftime a second South Gwinnett field goal in the quarter would tie the game 21-21 at halftime. In the third quarter, South Gwinnett senior running back, Jamarcus Petite would score the first of his three touchdowns on the night, as the Comets took a 28-21 lead and then would follow it up with another field goal and then Peoples throwing his third touchdown of the night, connecting with Petite and South Gwinnett tsking a 38-21 lead.
While both Peoples and Petite would add rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the South Gwinnett defense was responsible for putting the Comets' offense back on the field as they forced four turnovers, three interceptions and one fumble recover. "Really proud of that piece, that they came out and responded. We could have quit, we could have turned on each other, but they stuck together as a group, they played hard, they stayed focus and I just told them, we're just trying to play one play at a time," Lamar said, adding that will have to be the Comets mindset as they turn their attention to Grayson.
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