The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets kicked off their game against Liberty County with a statement. On the very first play, Colby Smith snagged the ball and sprinted down to the Liberty 35-yard line, setting the tone for what was going to be an electric night.
Moments later, Smith found the end zone for the first touchdown of the game, with Thomas Edge sealing the deal with an extra point kick.
Jayden Murphy showed off his speed, racing all the way down the field, and not long after, Michael Dixon made a crucial stop, living up to his reputation as a tackling powerhouse. Trent Jones came through with a clutch recovery after a fumble near the Panthers’ red zone, shifting momentum in their favor once again.
Colby Smith continued to be a force, sprinting long distances and later securing the third touchdown, adding to the Yellow Jackets' lead. Kyle O’Brien made a major tackle that had the crowd on their feet, as the first quarter wrapped up with Southeast Bulloch in command.
In the second quarter, Colby Smith proved his versatility by intercepting a pass in the Liberty County end zone, preventing any scoring threats. Dixon, once again, delivered a big tackle, and another standout play came from Jeremiah Williams, who made a crucial stop. But Liberty County wasn’t backing down—they responded with a touchdown and an extra point. Trent Jones made another big tackle, bringing the second quarter to a close.
As the game moved into the third quarter, the Panthers made it clear they were still in the fight, scoring a touchdown but missing the extra point. The Yellow Jackets held strong, with Michael Dixon continuing to prove himself as a tackling unit.
Heading into the final quarter, Colby Smith wasn’t done yet, charging in for another touchdown. The Panthers answered back with a touchdown of their own, but when they went for a two-point conversion, Southeast Bulloch’s defense shut it down.
When the clock finally ran out, the scoreboard reflected another Yellow Jacket victory, along with Coach Zito’s 100th career win. This game was a showcase of talent, determination, and the kind of grit that keeps Southeast Bulloch fans coming back every week.
Coach Zito's post-game talk
Coach Zito’s post-game remarks were a mix of praise and strategy. He highlighted the team's strong start, emphasizing how they quickly took control on both offense and defense. The 21-point lead early on was a testament to the whole team's effort, which he found crucial. However, he acknowledged that the game had its ups and downs, saying the team "wobbled" as games naturally do, but he noted their resilience when it mattered most.
Zito pointed out that the defense made critical stops, especially during two-point plays that shifted momentum and drained the opposition's hope. He praised his assistant, Coach Brandon Peterson, for putting in the necessary adjustments and loading up the line with big bodies to power through on offense. Coach Zito praised his players for playing tough the entire game.
His strategy was clear: when it came down to it, he leaned on the big guys and hard-nosed backs to push the ball downfield. He stressed the importance of playing physical, old-school football with powerful runs and strong blocking, crediting his linemen for their critical role in securing the win.
Zito wrapped up by reiterating his belief that great defense wins championships—if the other team doesn’t score, they can’t win. He expressed pride in his secondary for preventing big plays and praised his linemen for delivering when the team needed it most. Looking ahead, he told the players they’d get a five-day break before returning to practice, gearing up for a big game against Long County. He closed by expressing pride in his team and gratitude for the staff’s hard work.
What's next?
Southeast Bulloch will travel to Long County to play against the Blue Tide on October 25th in Ludowici, Ga.