FRIDAY NIGHT PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP: Wilcox County routs Calhoun County; Charlton County too much for Miller in 38-14 first-round loss

ROCHELLE — Calhoun County coach John Williams summed up what happened to his team pretty succinctly Friday night.

“Let’s just say I see now why they’re one of the best — if not the best — teams in the state,” Williams said after the Cougars’ 38-6 loss to Wilcox County, which led, 32-0, at the half and let off the gas in a game that could’ve easily gotten out of hand quickly after intermission.

Calhoun (4-7) got its only TD of the game on a special teams score after Marquil Middleton recovered a botched punt that went over the Wilcox kicker’s head.

“They’re a great, great football team,” Williams said of Wilcox. “They score quick, they’re fast and they’re big. But I’m glad we played a team like this in the first round because it gave my kids a chance to see the level we need to get to if we want to (make a run at a state title).”

That could very well happen next year as whispers around Southwest Georgia from opposing coaches have the Cougars — who have one of the most talented young crop of JV players and middle-schoolers ready to make the jump — being the team in beat in Region 1-A next season.

“Hopefully these young kids will come along like we think they will and work hard,” Williams said. “If they do, we’ll come back next year and do this a little better.”

Calhoun loses just three seniors on offense and three on defense.

WARE COUNTY 21, BAINBRIDGE 14: After one of the best seasons in school history, it