Head coach Danny Britt and his Benedictine football team have been on a mission to reach the postseason since the first day of training camp.
On Monday night, the Cadets came through in a pressure-packed three-team playoff to reach their goal.
Playing in a 10-minute mini-game format against Toombs County at Long County High School in Ludowici, the BC defense made some big plays while the offense provided just enough firepower as the Cadets prevailed in a 6-0 victory.
When Bacon County beat Toombs County in the next mini-game, the Cadets secured the No. 3 seed in Region 2-AA because they had beaten Bacon County in the regular season.
Benedictine (7-3) will go on the road to face Laney of Augusta (7-3) on Friday night in the first round of the GHSA Class AA playoffs.
BC kicked off to start the playoff and forced Toombs to go three and out.
On the Cadets’ first possession, sophomore quarterback Stevie Powers threw a pass that deflected off his receiver’s hands before being intercepted. The first 5-minute half was scoreless.
On the Cadets’ first possession of the second half, BC’s spread offense delivered when Powers hit Jon Gaines on a wheel route for a 30-yard touchdown, but the extra point was missed.
On Toombs County’s next possession, BC safety John Solitario made an interception. BC was running out the clock but lost the ball on a fumble. Toombs County had one last chance, but Conrad Fonseca sealed the game with the Cadets’ second interception of the night.
“Looking back, we felt like we shouldn’t have lost to Toombs during the regular season,” Britt said, recalling the 14-12 setback against the Bulldogs in October. “But we’ve got a team of fighters. We’ve started 38 different players this year because of injuries. ... This win is a testament to the kids. They are survivors.”