For the third consecutive year, Trenton put a major hurt on South Fulton.
The Red Devils suffered a significant injury for the third straight season against Peabody — losing their best lineman Zach Vaughn early Friday in what was ultimately a 50-0 blowout loss to the Tide.
Vaughn was injured on SF’s first defensive series and taken via private vehicle to be examined where it was revealed he had a torn medial collateral (MCL) ligament in his knee with a possible torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), according to head coach Kelly Spivey.
Vaughn’s injury marked the continuance of an unfortunate trend for South Fulton against Trenton as the Devils lost starting quarterback JaQuay Garmon to a torn ACL two years ago and Chance Hamlin last season to a badly broken leg.
The Redmen also had another injury scare in Friday’s contest when Tyler Morris had to be taken from the field by ambulance after suffering a neck injury on a special teams play. Spivey said Morris suffered a “stinger” with no major damage and should return to action this season.
The contest was delayed for nearly two hours by lightning and heavy rains after Vaughn’s injury and SF put up little fight afterward, according to its coach.
“It sort of looked like a lot of them were standing around and just not wanting to do anything where they might get hurt,” Spivey said. “We had a few show a little fight, but not very many.
“And that was disappointing. Trenton has a very good football team, but they’re not 50 points better than we are.”
Unfortunately for the Big Red, Peabody was on Friday.
Tavarian Barnett ran for 248 yards and four touchdowns for Peabody (4-3), which remained unbeaten in three 14A games and hosts two-time reigning league champion Humboldt (5-2, 3-0) this week in a district showdown that could determine this year’s titleist.
Trenton outgained South Fulton by a whopping 499-85 margin in all. The clock ran continuously in the second half via the mercy rule.
Barnett opened the scoring with a 23-yard run in the first quarter, then had paydirt dashes of 17 and 69 yards before capping his night with a one-yard plunge.
William Harris also neared the 100-yard rushing mark for the Tide, running for 98 and two touchdowns in the second half.
Ty Fields had a hand in two scores for Peabody, blocking a punt for a safety and then on a receiving end of a 14-yard TD pass from  Braxton Baugus.
“The thing that killed us is that we’d stop them for a play or two, and — just like Humboldt did — they’d gash us then for a 30- or 40-yard gain,” Spivey added.
South Fulton’s best offensive series was its opening drive when the Red Devils drove into the Trenton 30 before stalling.
Garmon completed 4-of-11 passes for 67 yards for SF, but Peabody stuff the Devils’ ground game to the tune of 18 yards in 21 carries. South Fulton managed just three first downs the entire game.
Skylar Britt had easily the biggest gainer of the night for the Devils with a reception for 50 yards.
J.P. Fowler had a team-high 29 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Willie Kneuppel was the top tackler on the defensive chart for the Redmen with nine stops. Ryan Moore had seven tackles and Hunter Wade was in on six.
South Fulton (3-5, 1-3), which likely still needs one more win in its last two games to qualify for the postseason, will celebrate Senior Night in its final home game this week, hosting Lake County.
The Falcons suffered a heartbreaking 34-28 overtime decision to Union City this past Friday.

Published in The Messenger 10.8.12