By Walter Geiger When the #1 ranked Lamar County Trojans and Benedictine Cadets, both undefeated at 13-0, tangle at Trojan Field Friday night, a standing room only crowd will see the biggest game in the tradition-rich football history of Barnesville-Lamar County. The Trojans have won 13 games for the first time ever. It is the second time the Trojans have reached the semifinals ‘“ the first was last season ‘“ and this will be the first GHSA state semifinal ever played here. According to The Herald Gazette sportswriter and football historian Ken Green, Gordon Institute claimed eight state titles during the period 1904-1920. ‘They were either declared champions or chosen to play in a championship game at a neutral site. That’s not the same,’ Green said. The Gordon Military Bulldogs’ best-ever finish was 7-2-1 in 1969. Those Dogs never made the postseason, according to Green. Barnesville Academy hosted a GISA semifinal in 1977, losing 13-12 to Bulloch Academy and finishing 7-3-1. So, Coach Franklin Stephens’ Trojans are rewriting the record books and history books every time they step onto the field. A win Friday will propel them to the state title game against the winner of this week’s Brooks County-Lovett battle. The championship game will be played at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Georgia Dome. Getting there won’t be easy. The Cadets have sailed through the season thus far and gave the Trojans all they wanted in the second round of the playoffs last season before falling 24-21 on a last second field goal by Lamar’s Tyler Scandrett. The Cadets are averaging 47 points per game and giving up only six. Lamar averages 44 and surrenders 11. Benedictine’s opponents were 71-68-1 overall while Lamar’s were 74-66. The teams have two common opponents. The Cadets routed Macon County 63-10 and Metter 42-7 while Lamar shut out Macon County 48-0 and walloped Metter 58-15.The Trojans have home field advantage which is big. You can make it bigger. Show up early. Get loud and stay loud when the Cadets have the ball. Bring a milk jug containing coins or washers to help shake down the thunder. Root hard for the home team but be gracious hosts. Be the Trojans’ 12th man. Be a part of history. We are Lamar!
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