WARNER ROBINS — There was Houston County, cruising along into the red zone on its first possession.
And fumbling inside the 5.
And there was Houston County, cruising along into the red zone on its second possession.
And fumbling.
The Bears more than got over the early control problems, however, scoring on their next five possessions en route to a 53-6 thumping of South Effingham in the first round of the GHSA Class AAAAA playoffs at McConnell-Talbert Stadium.
The third-ranked Bears improved to 10-1, and they’ll host Mays in six days in the second round. Mays, who broke Jones County’s hearts with a 44-41 win in the quarterfinals a year ago, beat Creekview 31-0.
South Effingham’s season ended at 7-4.
Early possession struggles aside, Jake Fromm had a relaxing evening, completing 31-of-44 passes for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. Six teammates caught at least four passes, and all hauled in at least one pass of 24 yards or more.
Eli Watson caught four passes.
It wasn’t completely relaxing for Fromm, who spent a fair amount of the night being chased by an impressive Mustangs’ defense that forced Fromm into an odd 12-yard loss on one pass.
Houston County’s second 50-point game of the season didn’t start out well on offense, even after a safety recorded by its defense on South Effingham’s first play.
The Mustangs did nothing with the two fumbles against a Bears’ defense that had another bruising night.
A good sign came six plays before Chris Brinson went in from 2 yards out for a score when Fromm scrambled, threw a stutter-step move out to a South Effingham defender, and gained 14 on third and 7.
Alex Sanders’ interception set up another Brinson touchdown, a 16-yard pass reception after which Brinson powered his way into the end zone.
Five plays later, Rontravious Byron forced a fumble and Bennie Steadman recovered. Brinson’s touchdown catch less than a minute into the second quarter was from 25 yards, and Jordan Strevig’s kick made it 23-0.
But Patrick Brown found room up the middle on South Effingham’s first play after that for a 71-yard touchdown. The Bears countered with a 5-play, 68-yard scoring drive capped by Watson’s 26-yard touchdown catch.
Soon after, Mack McCullough got the 14-yard sack and forced fumble, covered by Stefan Hill.
Watson was on the receiving end of a 2-yard touchdown pass.