Jackets top Temple in opening round

The Rockmart Yellow Jackets moved onto the next round of the Class AA playoffs with a 24-7 win over Temple, and will get to stay at home as they continue their perfect-season run.

The win came at a cost for No. 1 Rockmart as junior quarterback Javin Whatley exited the game in the second quarter after suffering an apparent knee injury.

Whatley was replaced temporarily by Juke Boozer, then by Paine Culver in the second half, who got the offense rolling again by the fourth quarter. Whether Whatley will be back under center was still in question as Rockmart head coach Biff Parson said he would be evaluated over the weekend.

“We survived,” Parson said. “You could tell that with him going out, it took a lot of our breath. We talked about it in the locker room, and when one of our leaders goes down, we get to see the true character of our team.”

Rockmart put up two touch

ROCKMART —

Rockmart’s Mehki Floyd comes up with a 35-yard reception for a first down in the fourth quarter during a 24-7 playoff win. downs on the ground early “Our backs were against the off clock-eating drives as Patrick wall, and our defense played Gardner capped a series lights out,” Parson said. “Those from 2 yards out, which was two big defensive stands — followed by Whatley scoring fourth and goal at inches — hats on a 1-yard keeper. off to those guys for playing

Temple put points on the hard and finishing the drill.” board in the second quarter, Culver came up big on capping a drive with a 3-yard a third-down play deep in touchdown, though the Jackets Rockmart territory to find defense came up big before Mehki Floyd on a 35-yard halftime twice to keep the lead. pass and later found Boozer

Rockmart’s defense proved for a 34-yard gain. Cooper pivotal as the offense came Yanzetich finished the drive up short in the third quarter, with a 25-yard field goal. keeping the Tigers out The Yellow Jackets will of the end zone twice on big host Brooks County next Friday fourth-down plays, including after the Trojans took a a sack of quarterback Scooter 42-14 win over Washington Tanner for a 15-yard loss. County to open the playoffs.