Marist falls to Brookwood in top 50 matchup

On Sept. 11, Georgia’s No. 15-ranked Brookwood (3-0) stepped into Hughes Spalding Stadium to take on No. 45 Marist (2-0) in a game that came down to the last possession.

The first quarter consisted of highlight plays for both teams. Marist scored the first touchdown of the game as senior quarterback Hayes Rollauer rushed for a 24-yard touchdown to give Marist the 7-3 lead. Brookwood responded with a unique sequence as senior running back Brayden Tyson fumbled on a carry, only for a teammate to recover the loose ball and take it to the endzone for a Brookwood touchdown. This gave Brookwood a 10-7 lead heading into the second quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Marist drove the ball down the field with a series of carries from running backs Dylon Chiock and Cullen O’Leary that put them at Brookwood’s 16-yard line. Marist then fumbled, with Brookwood defensive back Orlando Brown recovering the ball and returning it 84 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Brady Palma tacked on the extra point to give Brookwood a 17-7 going into halftime.

On their first drive of the second half, Brookwood senior quarterback Gary Chatman was sacked and fumbled, with Marist recovering the ball and returning it two yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good, bringing Marist within three points at 17-14. On their following drive, Brookwood reached the Marist 25-yard line but were unable to convert on third down. Palma was sent out to attempt a 42-yard field goal, but it was blocked by senior linebacker Owen Hare. This play kept the score 17-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Marist leaned heavily on Rollauer in the fourth quarter, as he carried the ball three times on their opening drive before ultimately punching it in for a five-yard touchdown.

On their first play of the fourth quarter, Brookwood’s Chatman connected with wide receiver Zy’Aire Conaway for an exciting 80-yard touchdown. This gave Brookwood a 24-21 lead as the game remained close.

Marist went three-and-out before electing to go for it on fourth down, but failed to convert, turning the ball over on downs.

Brookwood’s ensuing drive started on the Marist 26-yard line, but they also went three and out. Palma then nailed a 40-yard field goal to extend Brookwood’s lead by three and bring the score to 27-21 with 1:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Brookwood’s kickoff resulted in a touchback, with Marist starting its critical drive at its own 20- yard line. Marist reached the Brookwood 45-yard line and faced a critical third down. In what appeared to be a questionable decision by Marist head coach Alan Chadwick, Rollauer spiked the ball, putting Marist in a difficult position and forcing the team to convert on fourth down.

Rollauer’s pass fell incomplete on fourth down, and Brookwood celebrated as the team secured the victory.

Brookwood improved to 4-0 with the victory. Marist dropped to 2-1 and has a chance to bounce back against Campbell High School on Sept. 18.

Written by Ziarre Walker