The rivalry between Worth County and the Cairo Syrupmakers is historic in many ways. A Ram fan cannot make that desolate trip down the Thigpen Trail and West into Grady County without imagining the glory days of South Georgia football. Two powerhouses competed each year for region, or even state titles as the Makers and the Rams collided. Indeed, the state championship in 1990 between these two teams was the first time in Georgia history that the state championship was played between a pair of teams from the same region.
The teams’ first contest took place on October 9, 1970 and the game ended in a draw, 12-12. After this first match up, the rivals traded wins on an even keel until the mid-1990s. Worth County won a close game in 1998, 35-32. But, the Rams have not won since. In fact, the Rams have only won once against Cairo in the last 19 years.
Last Friday, Worth County hoped to carry some momentum into West Thomas Football Stadium as the boys were well rested after an off week, and they were still riding the thrill of a big homecoming win against Crisp County in the previous game. Meanwhile, Cairo has looked a little off this season, the Makers are always tough, but in 2014 they seem to be making mistakes. In the previous week, the Syrupmakers squeaked by Westover in overtime, 20-19. As the game commenced, the cool fall air seemed ripe with potential for a Worth County upset. But, it was not meant to be.
On the other hand, the Rams had four good players who were sidelined for the first quarter or even the entire first half. And, Cairo is not the team that a coach would choose to bench a few of his most talented athletes, but the choice reflects an overall commitment to the success of Worth County football. The Rams need players who are dedicated to achieving goals as a team. Their absence was noticeable, and it made a difference in the outcome of the game.
As the game got underway, the Rams received the opening kickoff. But, the Worth team never got the ball moving and quickly punted away. As for Cairo’s first drive, the Syrupmakers picked up a few first downs to find themselves on the Worth 30-yard-line before pulling a trick play in which the quarterback tossed left to a receiver who then threw the ball downfield to a wide open man. The Cairo receiver practically walked into the end zone for the first score of the game and the Makers were on top early, 7-0.
Then, the Cairo kicker pooched a short, end over end kickoff that barely crossed midfield. As a Worth lineman jumped to catch the ball at midfield, the football bounced from his hands. A Cairo player fell on the loose ball, and the Syrupmaker offense returned to the field.
The Worth defense held in Cairo’s second series, and the Makers were forced to punt the ball away. But again, the Rams offense was on their heels. After getting back to the original line of scrimmage on third and long, the ball was punted away again.
Now, Cairo set up in Worth territory with excellent field position, and they worked their way down to the 11-yard-line before the Rams’ defense stiffened. On fourth down, Cairo sent out their field goal kicker and the sophomore split the uprights from 27 yards out. The Syrupmakers increased their lead to 10-0 halfway through the second quarter.
On the Rams next possession, the offense still struggled to make forward progress, and Cairo was given the ball one last time before the half ended. The Worth defense stuffed their opponents yet again, and on third and 20, the Cairo QB attempted to run the ball. Dontavious Buford took him down well behind the first down marker, but the Rams drew a facemask penalty. The penalty still would not equate to a first down for the Makers, but Cairo was allowed to replay third down in addition to the free yardage.
According to GHSA rules, it should have been fourth and long after Buford tackled the quarterback. Instead, Cairo converted and moved down to the Rams’ 38. With 20 seconds left in the half, junior Jamill Curry broke through and sacked the Cairo QB. Then, just before the half ended, the Syrupmakers’ field goal unit returned to the field. The phenomenal kicker once again split the sticks from 47 yards out and the Rams left the field for halftime with a 13 point deficit.
To start the second half, Cairo received the kickoff and strung together a long series of plays before scoring their second TD halfway through the third quarter. Though the place kicker nailed a pair of long field goals already in the game, he missed this point after attempt. Now, the Makers led, 19-0.
On the Rams first possession of the second half, they began moving the ball with consistent five to ten yard gains for first downs. Just before the third quarter ended, the Worth quarterback handed the ball to Buford, and the running back punched it in from three yards out. With a quarter left to play, the Rams were finally on the board, 6-19.
The Syrupmakers would score twice more in the fourth quarter as the kicker proved that the 47 yard field goal was no fluke. He kicked another from 47 yards out three minutes into the fourth. Finally, the Cairo team scored their third touchdown of the evening with five minutes left to play. This was another controversial call as the ball carrier fumbled crossing the goal line. The refs called it a touchdown and the score stood. The Rams would not score again before the game ended.
While this 29-6 loss may seem devastating, the score does not reflect how well the Worth defense played. The “D” stepped up and mostly held Cairo throughout the game. The field goals were most likely a school record for Cairo. Nine points were gained on field goals. To keep the Cairo offense out of the end zone on those three stands would have meant no points for most teams in South Georgia. The Rams just have to shake it off, and get the offense into the end zone this weekend in Albany.
The Rams now hold a 1-2 overall record and a 1-1 record in region play. This Saturday, the Worth team will travel to Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany to take on the Dougherty County Trojans. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
