Southwest topples East Laurens 20-7 to virtually guarantee playoff spot on Senior Night

On an electric Senior Night at Ed Defore Stadium, the Southwest High School Patriots seemingly clinched their playoff berth with a 20-7 victory over the East Laurens Falcons. 

The win not only celebrated the contributions of the team’s seniors but also fulfilled one of their major season goals, assuming the power rankings deem the Pats worthy of making a postseason appearance.

While Southwest’s playoff fate will not officially be determined until after Saturday’s games are complete, the win almost certainly confirms its status as a playoff team. Head coach Joe Dupree summed up the importance of the night. 

“It’s a big win for our team. You know just getting to the playoffs was one of our season goals, and we were able to reach that tonight by beating East Laurens,” he said. “It was a team victory. The guys played well. The coaches prepared them all week long, so I’m just excited to have the opportunity to make the state playoffs.”

The Patriots took command early in the game, with senior Steve Robinson leading the offense with precision and poise. Midway through the first quarter, Robinson connected on a deep pass to junior wide receiver Jamarea Watkins, setting Southwest up with a strong scoring opportunity. Shortly after, Robinson handed the ball to junior Kadyn Parker, who bulldozed his way into the end zone for the Patriots’ opening touchdown. 

Though the PAT missed, Southwest grabbed an early 6-0 lead that energized the home crowd and set the tone for the evening.

As the game moved into the second quarter, Robinson’s arm remained hot. He once again found Watkins down the sideline, this time for a touchdown to extend Southwest’s lead to 12-0.

Though East Laurens’ defense struggled to keep up, a spark of tension arose when East Laurens’ Jackson Thomas collided with Southwest’s Kartell Hardy after a punt. The scuffle added intensity to the game, firing up the Patriots even more and creating a determined focus among the Southwest players.

Feeding off the momentum, Robinson showcased his mobility and playmaking ability on a crucial drive. Evading defenders and scrambling left, he broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run that stretched the Patriots’ lead to 18-0. Opting for a two-point conversion, Robinson hit Watkins again, pushing the score to 20-0.

East Laurens responded with a touchdown of their own just before halftime, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 20-7, but that was as close as the Falcons would get. 

The second half turned into a defensive showcase for the Patriots, as their front seven consistently disrupted East Laurens’ offense. Senior Marquis Hutchings and the defensive line anchored a unit that refused to give up ground, effectively neutralizing the Falcons’ running game and preventing any significant gains.

Coach Dupree praised his team’s ability to execute their game plan and contain East Laurens’ star players. 

“Well, offensively we want to establish the run, defensively we want to stop the run and stop number 2. He’s a great football player for East Laurens, and we did a good job corralling him,” Dupree said. “Just a great team victory on special teams and offense and defense.”

The evening held a special significance for the seniors, who have helped build the program’s culture over the past four years. Dupree acknowledged the leadership and resilience shown by the seniors, especially in overcoming adversity this season. 

“Our goal is to get 1% better every day, 1% percent better every game, and they did that all season long, overcame a lot of adversity,” Dupree said. “These seniors are great leaders. It’s the second year we are making the playoffs with these seniors. When they came in as ninth graders, I knew then they were going to be leaders.”

After the game, Southwest celebrated with the traditional ice bath for Coach Dupree, who joked about the surprising November warmth. 

“Yes, most definitely. A November night. It’s real warm for that, so I’m glad it’s warm because it’s cold. This water’s cold,” Dupree said after the game in a social media post by Bibb Athletics.

The victory was a fitting conclusion to the regular season for Southwest, which has its sights set on making a statement in the playoffs. 

With the senior class leading the way and a defense that has shown its tenacity, the Patriots are poised to carry their momentum into the postseason.