TIFTON — Down 13-6 early, the Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricanes well — stormed — back to defeat the Pepperell High Dragons, 41-19, Friday night in the quarterfinals of the state Class AA football quarterfinals.

After traveling to the Rome area for the quarterfinals, Fitzgerald’s win over Pepperell means coach Robby Pruitt’s team will now be on the road again for the semifinals.

Pruitt and the Hurricanes will take on the Buford High Wolves in Buford in the state semifinals. Buford advanced Friday with a 41-10 win over Dublin.

In the game against Pepperell, the Hurricanes scored on their first play from scrimmage as Juwan Alexander went 69 yards for a touchdown. A try for two failed, and Fitzgerald was up 6-0.

After Pepperell went up 13-6, Jemea Thomas responded for the Hurricanes as he went 80 yards on a kickoff return. Again a try for two failed, and Pepperell was up 13-12.

The floodgates opened up then for the Hurricanes.

Fitzgerald got first half touchdowns from Trenton Pruitt on a 28-yard run, and on a 65-yard interception return by Thomas.

Quarterback Brad Taylor went in from two yards out for a touchdown in the third quarter. Mauro Meza added the point after.

Pruitt would later add another touchdown on a 16-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Nick Williams led the Hurricanes with 98 yards rushing on 17 carries. Alexander had 75 yards on three totes, and Thomas had 13 carries for 54 yards. Pruitt added five rushes for 52 yards, as the team rushed for 279 yards.