On a huge night for Atlanta sports, the Falcons got a draw in its second preseason game, the Braves won their 11,000th game, the Atlanta Dream got their win, and high school football started in earnest across the Atlanta Metro area. It was all a part of a start of a long season of Atlanta-style sports.
The highlights…
FALCONS
ATL 13, CIN 13
The Atlanta Falcons survived a rash of drive-killing penalties to score a draw against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes Benz Stadium tonight, scoring 13 apiece. Starting QB Desmond Ridder played in the first quarter, with a toss to the endzone that ended in an interception, then the rest of the snaps were handled by Taylor Heinike, who scored a touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Bijan Robinson showed promise, scoring his first 12-yard drive that lead to the draftee’s first credited down. Younghoe Koo, after missing his first field goal, made the FG that would lead to the tie at the game’s end.
The pre-snap penalties were what got everyone’s attention, however, and are likely to be the topic of conversation at Flowery Branch in the coming days. Head Coach Arthur Smith refused to blame the overload of penalties on officiating and says the team has work to do to clean up those errors. “That’s not who we want to be,” he said at the postgame press conference. He had positive reviews of Robinson, Ridder, and DeMarcco Hellams‘ performances.
Wide receiver Penny Hart was taken out of the game on concussion protocol. His status is unknown at the time of this writing.
BRAVES
ATL 4, SF 0
Atlanta Braves continued to impress in the start of the series against the San Francisco Giants. It’s the third consecuitve shutout performance the team has turned in and the 11,000th francise win since the team joined the National League in 1876. Braves pitcher Spencer Strider would go 7 innings and record 10 strikeouts. Hot hitter Michael Harris went 4-4 on the night.
DREAM
ATL 78, CHI 67
Cheynne Parker lead the Atlanta Dream to a convencing victory over Chcago Sky. She scored a career high 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Her shooting tonight was 50%.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
High school football in metro Atlanta started in earnest this week. The annual Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Classic began this Wendsday hit marquee games over the weekend. Tonight, other non Corky Kell high school games also commenced tonight. One game, St. Francis and Buford, ended in an brawl drew attention away from Buford’s stunning win over St. Francis. For high school games that have concluded, click here.
