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Linden headed to semifinals after dispatching Georgiana 52-12

Jeremy D. Smith , , , , , , ,
11-18-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Linden's Dequan Charleston (7) looks to get past a Georgiana defender in Friday night's game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)
11-18-16 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Dequan Charleston (7) looks to get past a Georgiana defender in Friday night’s game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)

Linden is in the state semifinals for the fifth time in the Andro Williams era after routing Georgiana 52-12 Friday night.

C.J. Robinson stepped in front of a Panther pass on the second play from scrimmage and returned it to the Georgiana 8 before DeAntonio Williams ran the ball in from there, putting the Patriots up just 29 seconds into the game.

“Our defense played great. I’m proud of our guys, proud of our effort for playing fast and physical and trying to mix it up and doing it the right way,” Andro Williams said.

11-18-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Linden's Dequan Charleston (7) tackles Georgiana's Jamarcus Sims (8) in Friday night's game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)
11-18-16 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Dequan Charleston (7) tackles Georgiana’s Jamarcus Sims (8) in Friday night’s game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)

The Patriots showed little letup from there, tacking on 19 points in each of the second and third quarters to solidify the blowout.

Deauris Jones scored on a 15-yard run to make it 13-0. Dequan Charleston returned a punt 48 yards to make it 20-0 and then hauled in a 17-yard pass from Robinson to push it to 26-0.

Cameron Longmire got Georgiana on the board with a 3-yard run just before halftime. Linden then picked up where it left off in the third quarter as Charleston broke a 54-yard touchdown sprint to stretch the lead to 33-6. Christian Williams attempted to keep his team in it with a 56-yard touchdown run but the Linden offense proved far too much.

Charleston scored on a 14-yard run and a 16-yard run with a 40-yard Isaiah Scott touchdown run sandwiched in between.

11-18-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Linden's Deauris Jones (44) runs behind the block of Bryce Chaney (73) in Friday night's game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)
11-18-16 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Deauris Jones (44) runs behind the block of Bryce Chaney (73) in Friday night’s game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)

Charleston made his presence felt in all phases of the game, running for 140 yards and three touchdowns on seven attempts in addition to the receiving and punt return touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass on defense. Bruce McIntosh paced the defense with 10 total tackles including five for loss.

Following the game, Andro Williams expressed his excitement for Linden-based Marengo Academy, which won the AISA Class A state championship 34-33 over Chambers earlier in the day before a number of the Longhorn faithful returned to cheer on the Patriots.

“I want to congratulate Marengo Academy for winning the state championship today. That’s a great win,” Williams said. “It’s big for this program, big for this community, and big for Webb Tutt just stepping in as the head coach and winning the state championship.”

Linden (13-0) moves to the state semifinals next week where it will host Maplesville.

11-18-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Linden's Davontae Poole (4) and Graderius Brown (5) pressure Georgiana QB Jamichael Stallworth (7) in Friday night's game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)
11-18-16 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Davontae Poole (4) and Graderius Brown (5) pressure Georgiana QB Jamichael Stallworth (7) in Friday night’s game in Linden. Linden won by a final score of 52-12. (WAW | Stewart Gwin)