Georgetown gets two TDs from an unlikely source in lopsided victory over Aynor

Melquan Cromedy had never scored a varsity touchdown entering Friday’s game against Aynor.

In a span of one minute and 20 seconds of game time, the Georgetown junior scored two TDs – on defense nonetheless.

Cromedy, a linebacker who also plays some tight end on offense, returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown and an interception 50 yards for a touchdown six plays apart in the second quarter to help the Bulldogs open Region VI-3A play with a 44-12 win.

In his elation, Cromedy incurred a 15-yard penalty for diving into the end zone on his first score. “That was my first time grabbing the ball and I was on the field running,” he said. “I looked back and saw somebody and the adrenaline just came out, and I just dived and tried to score for the team.”

On his fumble return, the ball popped out of the arm of the ball carrier and into Cromedy’s arms, and he broke a tackle and raced to the end zone to give Georgetown a 23-6 lead late in the second quarter. On the interception, he pressured quarterback Spencer Sarvis and snagged a pass that was over his head.

Aynor turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter and its final four drives of the first half ended fumble, fumble, interception and turnover on downs, and Georgetown turned all three turnovers into points.

“I don’t know what happened. I thought we were playing pretty well,” Aynor coach Jody Jenerette said. “The defense was playing their tail off and really did all night. A bunch of self-inflicted wounds on offense and things we haven’t done all year. At times we ran the ball well then we’d have a play where we kind of whiff on a guy. It was really a weird, weird game. But they kicked our butt.”

Aynor had terrible field position in the first quarter, starting two drives on its own 1 following a goal-line stand and punt, and another on the 6 after forcing a turnover on downs.

Georgetown (3-3) has won three straight after an 0-3 start and Aynor (4-2) had a three-game winning streak snapped.

“They turned it over a little bit and kind of got us kick-started and we got some momentum, and with high school kids that’s real important,” Georgetown coach Ken Cribb said. “I’m pleased with our guys effort and hopefully we’re starting to buy in.”

Turning point

Aynor trailed by three points in the second quarter and reached the Georgetown 30-yard line when the Bulldogs forced a fumble following a catch and Jahbriel Walker returned it 70 yards to the end zone. A penalty brought the ball back to the Aynor 36, but Brett Kirtley squeezed a 23-yard TD pass to Alex Smith between two defenders over the middle to put Georgetown ahead 16-6, and Cromedy followed with his two scores for three touchdowns in 3 minutes of game time.

Key performers

Georgetown quarterback Brett Kirtley: The junior threw three touchdown passes of 42, 23 and 40 yards to three different receivers.

Georgetown linebacker Melquan Cromedy: The junior returned a fumble for a touchdown and an interception for a touchdown in less than 1:30 of playing time.

Aynor receiver Nathan Williamson: The senior caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Spencer Sarvis in the fourth quarter.

By the numbers

94

Yards covered by Aynor in its first scoring drive

3

Consecutive possessions that ended in turnovers for Aynor in the second quarter

1

The starting field position for Aynor’s first two possessions, leading to a safety and turnover on downs at the 10

They said it

“We finally got to practice a little bit. This weather has been so crazy. We finally got to practice four days this week. It’s the first time all year we got four days of practice without something crazy happening with the weather, so I think we’re getting a little better.” - Georgetown coach Ken Cribb

“I’d like to thank God, and I’d like to thank my family for coming out and supporting me. They drive me to come out here and grind like this. I just came out. It was homecoming.” - Georgetown linebacker Melquan Cromedy

“We prepared our tail off for this game. I know it didn’t look like that way with the final score. Our kids have got to decide what are they going to do on Monday? Are they going to stay the same old Aynor, or are they going to come out Monday and let’s compete and let’s kind of see where we’re going to wind up at.” - Aynor coach Jody Jenerette

Up next

Aynor: vs. Waccamaw on Friday

Georgetown: at Lake City on Friday

This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 11:28 PM with the headline "Georgetown gets two TDs from an unlikely source in lopsided victory over Aynor."