FITZGERALD - What started as a close nip-and-tuck game ended in a blowout a the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes defeated the visiting Irwin County Indians, 56-19, Friday.
It was the most points scored by Fitzgerald in the long series since a Canes' 61-19 victory in 1961.
Fitzgerald put up 469 total yards in the game. Playing only the first half, Oklahoma State commit JD King had 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Junior quarterback James Graham had 12 carries for 75 yards rushing and was 4-for-8 passing for 80 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters of work.
Taylor Gauldin added 80 yards on eight carries for Fitzgerald.
Irwin had 175 yards of offense in the game. Senior Jay Ashley had 84 yards rushing on 12 carries.
While the game ended with a running clock in the fourth quarter, the game's start made you think both teams may put up triple digits in points.
A 58-yard return on the game's opening kickoff by Irwin's Cartavion Benyard gave the Indians great field position.
Ashley took advantage scoring on a 24-yard run to give Irwin a 6-0 advantage after a missed extra point just 1:04 into the game.
A mere 14 seconds later the score was 6-6 as Fitzgerald"s Montreal Harris went 89 yards on the ensuing kickoff. A try for two failed after that score.
A brief time later, Graham hit Gauldin on a 37-yard scoring pass to make the score 13-6 in favor of Fitzgerald.
The points frenzy continued when Irwin's Benyard went 82 yards on the following kickoff for an Irwin touchdown. A try for two failed and it was 13-12 in favor of Fitzgerald with 5:38 still left in the first quarter.
The Hurricanes then took firm control finally scoring three unanswered touchdowns to end the first half.
King scored on runs of 32 and 6 yards, while Graham hit Lectius Smith on a 14-yard scoring pass.
Leading 35-12 at the half, Fitzgerald scored three times in the third quarter. Ethan Gordon scored on a 14-yard pass from Graham, Gauldin scored on a 23-yard run and Marquarious Harper returnad an interception 19 yards.
Ashley scored from 3 yards for Irwin's last score during the third quarter.
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