Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
2021 State Championship Games
THURSDAY
Flag Football
A-4A: Southeast Bulloch 20, Portal 0
5A-6A: Dodge Co. 6, Lithia Springs 0
7A: Hillgrove 20, Marietta, 6

Class A Private
Trinity Christ. 55, Prince Avenue 28

Class A Public
Brooks County 56, Irwin County 28
TODAY
Class 2A
Fitzgerald vs. Thomasville, Noon

Class 4A
Carver, Col. vs. Benedictine, 3:30

Class 6A
Hughes vs. Buford, 7
SATURDAY
Class 3A
Cedar Grove vs. Carver, Atl., Noon

Class 5A
Warner Robins vs. Calhoun, 3:30

Class 7A
Milton vs. Collins Hill, 7
Watch The Games: All 11 state championship games will be televised by Georgia Public Broadcasting and can be seen online at gpb.org/sports and the NFHS Network. Live and final stats for the football championship games will be provided by West Georgia Sports Information Services, LLC, and can be found by clicking here.
Brooks County 56,
Irwin County 28
Recap: Omari Arnold rushed for 320 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries and scored on a 69-yard yard run on the second play from scrimmage and on an 86-yard run after Irwin County had pulled within 35-28 in the fourth quarter. Brooks County scored on seven of its eight drives, three lasting just one play, another lasting two. QB Jamal Sanders’ 23-yard run immediately after an Irwin County fumble made it 21-0 in the first quarter. Irwin got within 28-21 at halftime and 35-28 in the fourth quarter but couldn't solve Arnold. His 320 yards, though unofficial, surpass Herschel Walker’s 318 in 1979. The five touchdowns tie the state finals record set by Creekside’s Dexter Knox in 2013.

History: Brooks County won its first state title since 1994, avenging eight-point losses in the 2021 regular season and 2020 championship. Both titles came under coach Maurice Freeman, an alumnus. Arnold finished unofficially with 6,558 career rushing yards, good for 12th all-time in Georgia, according to GHSFHA. Irwin County fell short of its bid to become the first Class A Public school to win three straight titles since 1985-87 Lincoln County.

GAME STATISTICS

Irwin County*********0**21***0***7*-*28
Brooks County*******21***7***7**21*-*56

First quarter
BC - Omari Arnold 69 run (Reagan Chastain kick), 11:22
BC - Arnold 3 run (Chastain kick), 2:29
BC - Jamal Sanders 23 run (Chastain kick), 1:36
Second quarter
IC - Malachi Hadden 17 interception return (Cooper Yanzetich kick), 11:14
BC - Arnold 36 run (Chastain kick), 8:26
IC - Demarkas Lundy 5 run (Yanzetich kick), 3:54
IC - Shane Marshall 2 run (Yanzetich kick), 0:08
Third quarter
BC - Tramine Demps 15 pass from Jamal Sanders (Chastain kick), 4:16
Fourth quarter
IC - Lundy 6 run (Yanzetich kick), 11:30
BC - Arnold 86 run (Chastain kick), 11:12
BC - Arnold 56 run (Chastain kick), 9:29
BC - Jeremiah Henderson 69 interception return (Chastain kick), 6:27

*************************IC********BC
First Downs************ *14********16
Rushes/Yards (Net)*****45/201*** 38/385
Pass C/A/I*************6/16/2****5/9/1
Passing Yards (Net)**** *66******* 85
Total Offense***********267 ******470
Fumbles/Lost*********** 1/1 ******1/0
Penalties/Yards ********2/10 *****6/29
Time of Possession ****28:03 ****19:57
Sacks By: No./Yards**** 0/0*******0/0

Rushing: Irwin County - Demarkas Lundy 17-106; Shane Marshall 16-59; Cody Soliday 8-18; Marcus Edwards 2-11; Bryce Clements 2-7. Brooks County - Omari Arnold 21-320; Jamal Sanders 10-45; Janavien Leggett 5-21; Chris Cole 1-5; Team 1-(-6).
Passing: Irwin County - Cody Soliday 6-16-2-66. Brooks County - Jamal Sanders 5-9-1-85.
Receiving: Irwin County - Eli Roberts 1-31; Bryce Clements 1-19; Malachi Hadden 1-11; Matthew Payne 1-6; Mason Snyder 1-1; Bo Payne 1-(-2). Brooks County - Ja’maurion Fountain 2-47; Willie Brown 2-23; Tramine Demps 1-15.
Helmet images courtesy of the Georgia High School Helmet Project. To see more, click here.
Trinity Christian 55,
Prince Avenue Christian 28
Recap: David Dallas threw a 65-yard TD pass to Aaron Gates on the first play from scrimmage, and Bryce Wilcox and Christian Hanson returned interceptions for touchdowns in the first half as Trinity Christian took a 35-0 lead. Prince Avenue got no closer than 42-28. Dallas became the sixth player in finals history to throw four TD passes in a game, and Trinity became the third finalist to return two interceptions for touchdowns in a game (2018 Bainbridge, 1971 Bowdon). Jimbo Batchelor and Josh Dallas also intercepted passes for Trinity.
 
History: Trinity Christian, a Sharpsburg school that started varsity football in 2011 and joined the GHSA in 2018, won its first state title and avenged its 2020 state finals defeat. Trinity’s state title also was the first for a Coweta County school. Trinity (14-0) is the first unbeaten Class A Private champion since Eagle’s Landing Christian in 2017. Prince Avenue finished 13-2 in what some thought might be a rebuilding season without 2020 all-class player-of-the-year Brock Vandagriff, now at Georgia.

GAME STATISTICS

Trinity Christian***14**21***7**13*-*55
Prince Avenue Chr.***0***7**21***0*-*28

First quarter
T - Aaron Gates 65 pass from David Dallas (Noah Maupin kick), 11:46
T - Bryce Wilcox 34 interception return (Maupin kick), 7:43
Second quarter
T - Gates 12 pass from Davis (Maupin kick), 7:35
T - Javan Harrison 15 pass from Dallas (Maupin kick), 1:23
T -Christian Hanson 34 interception return (Maupin kick), 1:23
P - Elijah Dewitt 2 pass from Aaron Philo (Bryson Franklin kick), 0:0
Third quarter
T - Wilcox 7 pass from Dallas (Maupin kick), 11:24
P - Bailey Stockton 52 pass from Philo (Franklin kick), 9:48
P - Dewitt 2 pass from Philo (Franklin kick), 3:03
P - Philo 16 run (Franklin kick), 1:04
Fourth quarter
T - Dallas 12 run (Maupin kick), 11:10
T - Maupin 20 field goal, 8:25
T - Maupin 32 field goal, 0:48

*************************TC*******PAC
First Downs************ *22********21
Rushes/Yards (Net)*****37/156*** 18/33
Pass C/A/I************14/20/1***39/53/4
Passing Yards (Net)*** *263****** 335
Total Offense***********419 ******368
Fumbles/Lost*********** 2/2 ******1/0
Penalties/Yards ********6/64 *****5/25
Time of Possession ****23:11 ****24:49
Sacks By: No./Yards**** 2/13******2/16

Rushing: Trinity Christian - Lane Werling 9-55; Dominick Cosper 10-50; David Dallas 13-49; Tyson Wall 4-6; Aaron Gates 1-(-1). Prince Avenue Christian - Bailey Stockton 5-16; Aaron Philo 7-12; Mac Bradley 4-6; Luke Lanier 1-0; Elijah Dewitt 1-(-1).
Passing: Trinity Christian - David Dallas 14-20-1-263. Prince Ave Christian - Aaron Philo 39-52-4-335; Ethan Christian 0-1-0-0.
Receiving: Trinity Christian - Aaron Gates 5-165; Javan Harrison 3-30; Joshua Dallas 2-26; Dominick Cosper 2-23; Bryce Wilcox 2-19. Prince Avenue Christian - Elijah Dewitt 13-122; Bailey Stockton 11-138; Josh Britt 7-29; Luke Lanier 3-8; Ethan Christian 2-18; Nick Hurley 2-8; Mac Bradley 1-12.
Class 7A
Hillgrove 20, Marietta 6
Recap: Lauren Render scored two touchdowns, caught an extra-point pass and had three interceptions to lead Hillgrove (17-1) to its third victory of the season against its Cobb County rival. Render's 35-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Hawks a 7-0 lead in the first half, and her 1-yard touchdown reception from Lacey Carder made it 13-0 with 14 minutes remaining in the game. Carder put the game away with an 11-yard touchdown run with four minutes left after Marietta cut the lead to 13-7 on a touchdown pass from Claire Hennessey to Laila Perryman. Render is committed to Virginia Tech in lacrosse and was an all-region basketball player last season. The state championship was the second in school history for Hillgrove, which opened in 2006 (the girls cross country team won in 2009). The Hawks were the flag football runners-up in 2020.

SCORING SUMMARY
Hillgrove****************7***13***-**20
Marietta*****************0****6***-***6
First half
H - Lauren Render 35 interception return (Ava Carpinteri pass from Lacey Carder)
Second half
H - Render 1 pass from Carder (pass failed)
M - Laila Perryman 2 pass from Claire Hennessey (pass failed)
H - Carder 11 run (Render pass from Carder)
Class 5A-6A
Dodge Co. 6, Lithia Springs 0
Recap: Ileisha Mitchell scored on a 4-yard run in the third overtime for the game's only points after Lithia Springs had thrown incomplete on fourth down on its possession. Neither team threatened to score in the first two overtimes. Dodge County, a Class 2A school playing up, finished 15-1.
SCORING SUMMARY
Lithia Springs********0**0**0**0**0*-*0
Dodge County**********0**0**0**0**6*-*6
Third overtime
D - Ileisha Mitchell 4 run
Class A-4A
Southeast Bulloch 20, Portal 0
Recap: Ainsleigh Littles threw two touchdown passes and two extra-point conversions and scored on a 3-yard run. Delanie Thames caught both touchdown passes, a 21-yarder in the first half and a 16-yarder with 12:30 remaining in the game. Littles' touchdown run with four minutes to play in the first half gave Southeast Bulloch (19-0) a 13-0 halftime lead. Portal finished as the state runner-up for the second straight season. The state title was Southeast Bulloch's first in any sport since 2003 (girls track and field).

SCORING SUMMARY
Portal*******************0****0***-**00
Southeast Bulloch*******13****7***-**20
First half
S - Delanie Thames 21 pass from Ainsleigh Littles (Alex Odom pass from Littles)
S - Littles 3 run (pass failed)
Second half
S - Thames 16 pass from Littles (Odom pass from Littles)
Please send all-region teams to GHSF Daily at [email protected]. We will publish any team that we receive. GHSF Daily encourages those selecting and providing all-region teams to include each player's year in school. All-region players who are recognized as underclassmen have a better chance of being recruited and getting recognition on preseason all-area or all-state teams in 2022.

Region 8-6A
Player of the year: LB/RB Kyle Efford, Dacula, Sr.
Offensive player of the year: WR Isaiah Bond, Buford, Sr.
Defensive player of the year: LB Ryan Green, Shiloh, Sr.
Two-way player of the year: WR/FS Xavier Wright, Shiloh, Sr.
Two-way player of the year: RB/LB Aidan Thompson, Winder-Barrow, Jr.
Athlete of the year: RB/DB C.J. Clinkscales, Buford, Sr.
Lineman of the year: OL/DL Luke Jones, Lanier, Sr.
Specialist of the year: K/P Caylan Barron, Winder-Barrow, Sr.
Coach of the year: Casey Vogt, Dacula

First-team offense
QB - Justin Johnson, Central Gwinnett, Jr.
RB - Bryan Williams, Lanier, Jr.
RB - Matt Haber, Dacula, Jr.
TE - Davis Peek, Buford, Sr.
WR - K.J. Bolden, Buford, So.
WR - Moussa Barry, Dacula, Sr.
WR - Reese Scott, Lanier, Sr.
WR - Zeke Whittington, Habersham Central, Fr.
OL - Christian Culbreth, Shiloh, Sr.
OL - Jacob Atkinson, Winder-Barrow, Sr.
OL - Manny Boyd, Dacula, Jr.
OL - Jackson Favors, Buford, Sr.
OL - Paul Mubena, Buford, Sr.
K - Alejandro Mata, Buford, Sr.

First-team defense
DL - Lorenzo Moore, Shiloh, Sr.
DL - Alex Aaron, Habersham Central, Sr.
DL - Josiah Wyatt, Buford, Sr.
DL - Jonathan Williams, Dacula, Jr.
ILB - Isaac Prince, Shiloh, Sr.
ILB - Jayden Bethea, Dacula, Jr.
ILB - Aubrey Smith, Buford, Sr.
ILB - Nate Norys, Buford, Sr.
OLB - Malik Spencer, Buford, Sr.
OLB - V.J. Payne, Buford, So.
DB - Brice Pollock, Shiloh, So.
DB - Will Green, Dacula, Jr.
DB - Caleb Wade, Habersham Central, Sr.
DB - Jake Pope, Buford, Sr.
DB - Ryland Gandy, Buford, Sr.
P - Blandon Grizzle, Habersham Central, Jr.
RET - Ty White, Buford, So.

Second-team offense
QB - Ashton Daniels, Buford, Sr.
RB - Jamir Imuzai, Shiloh, So.
RB - Simarcus Burney, Habersham Central, Sr.
RB - Victor Venn, Buford, Sr.
TE - Deavon Garnett, Central Gwinnett, Sr.
WR - Myles Smith, Shiloh, Jr.
WR - Stewart Allen, Winder-Barrow, Sr.
WR - Percy Williams, Dacula, Sr.
WR - Tobi Olawole, Buford, Sr.
OL - Elijah Johnson, Shiloh, Sr.
OL - Kevin Smith, Dacula, Jr.
OL - Christian Ingram, Dacula, Jr.
OL - Ben Claypole, Lanier, Jr.
OL - Anthony Ramos, Lanier, Sr.
K - Nick Daniel, Dacula, Sr.

Second-team defense
DL - Mandjou Berte, Shiloh, Jr.
DL - Simeon Boulware, Dacula, So.
DL - Colin Seymour, Dacula, Sr.
DL - Isaiah Taylor, Lanier, Sr.
DL - Eddrick Houston, Buford, So.
ILB - Lassana Simaga, Central Gwinnett, Sr.
ILB - Bryson Banks, Buford, So.
OLB - Festus Davies, Dacula, Sr.
OLB - Matthew Laughlin, Lanier, Sr.
DB - Jamarious Smith, Winder-Barrow, Sr.
DB - Omarious Smith, Winder-Barrow, Sr.
DB - Nick Nelson, Dacula, Sr.
DB - Tywan Royal, Lanier, Jr.
P - Tason Murray, Central Gwinnett, Sr.
RET - Jason Jackson Jr., Central Gwinnett, So.

Honorable mention: Buford - Eli Parks, River Wilson, Dawson Andrew, Sho Mitchell. Central Gwinnett - Josiah Johnson, Nathaniel Wilson, Rhyheem Camel Jr., Ashille Hodge, Domonique Anglin. Dacula - Chuma Okoye, Tyler Cooper, Dre Wilson, Jackson Sims, Amari Ephriam. Habersham Central - Carter Barrett, Noah Wilson, Carson Parker, Braydon Wright, Jonathan Adams. Lanier - Carson Thomas, Keller Hartl, Isaiah Taylor, Ryan Jean. Shiloh - Jayden Ellis, Joshua Robinson, Jermaine Carter, Joshua Harden, Dion McDowell, Mandjou Berte, Damon Gaskin. Winder-Barrow - Alex Cha, Reese Maxwell, Tyreeck Hall, Grant Fredrickson.

Region 1-5A
Player of the year: QB Thomas Castellanos, Ware County, Sr.
Offensive player of the year: WR Damare Franklin, Veterans, Jr.
Defensive player of the year: DL Victor Burley, Warner Robins, Jr.
Athlete of the year: WR/DB JaFredrick Perry, Warner Robins, Sr.
Special teams player of the year: PK/P David Vaughn, Coffee, Sr.
Coach of the year: Marquis Westbrook

Offense
QB - Christian Lane, Warner Robins, Sr.
QB - Matthew Bruce, Veterans, Jr.
RB - Maurice Turner, Coffee, Sr.
RB - Malcolm Brown, Warner Robins, Jr.
RB - Cartevious Norton, Ware County, Sr.
WR - Matthew Adams, Coffee, Sr.
WR - Tyriq Edwards, Coffee, So.
WR - Preston Bird, Veterans, So.
WR - Jarvis Hayes, Ware County, Jr.
WR - James Daniels, Ware County, Sr.
WR - Daveon Walker, Warner Robins, Sr.
TE - Rhett Robinson, Coffee, Sr.
OL - Payton Adams, Coffee, Sr.
OL - Cole Edge, Coffee, Sr.
OL - Alex Harvey, Veterans, Sr.
OL - C.J. Brooks, Warner Robins, Sr.
OL - Jose Gonzalaz, Warner Robins, Sr.
OL - Noah Stovall, Warner Robins, Sr.
OL - Sharvon Pierre, Ware County, So.
OL - Zach Watson, Ware County, Jr.
OL - Cameron Gonsalves, Ware County, Jr.
OL - Jake Trebil, Wayne Co., Jr.
PK - Henry Bates, Ware County, Sr.

Defense
DL - Demetrius Baldwin, Ware County, So.
DL - Erius Morris, Ware County, Jr.
DL - Chayce Smith, Warner Robins, Jr.
DL - Deandre Kennedy, Veterans, Sr.
DL - Cameron High, Coffee, Sr.
DL - Alex Alba, Coffee, Sr.
LB - Brandon High, Coffee, Sr.
LB - Trey Landers, Coffee, Sr.
LB - Luke Mathis, Veterans, Sr.
LB - Trey Hargrove, Ware County, Jr.
LB - Jemario Barkley, Ware County, Jr.
LB - Jacarious Carter Jr., Warner Robins, Sr.
LB - Montrez Dinkins, Warner Robins, Sr.
LB - Tavaris Wilkins, Wayne Co., Sr.
DB - Brady Skipper, Coffee, Sr.
DB - Travis Adams, Coffee, Sr.
DB - Anthony Paulk, Coffee, So.
DB - Nate Brooks, Veterans, Sr.
DB - Jeremiah Hogue, Veterans, Sr.
DB - Antwan Jackson, Warner Robins, Sr.
DB - Deuce Petty, Warner Robins, Sr.
DB - Chris Pittman, Wayne Co., Sr.
P - Jackson McCook, Warner Robins, Sr.
 
Honorable mention: Coffee – QB Justin Swords, Sr.; OL Dane Rish, Jr.; OL Luke Lariccia, Jr.; RB Dreshawn Taylor, Jr.; RB Fred Brown, So.; WR Xazavion Simpson, Sr.; WR Zarion Simpson, Jr.; TE Mason Roberts, Jr.; DL Jahquese Waring, So.; DL Parker Hines, Sr.; DL Jackson Banks, Jr.; LB Anthony Gaskin, Sr.; LB Larry Daniel, Jr.; Defensive Back - Emarion Graham, Sr.; Defensive Back - Antron Rolax, Sr. Veterans - DL Chance Carver, Sr.; DL Malachi Patterson, Sr.; LB Jaron Benjamin, Jr.; WR Shamaar Murray, So.; WR Chandler Thomas, So.; TE/HB Thomas Orell, So.; PK Brayden Black, Fr. Ware County – OL Carter Barnes, Sr.; DL Malik Mitchell, Sr. Warner Robins – OL E. J. Carter, Jr.; DL Nathaniel Sanford, Sr. Wayne County - PK Hampton McIlwain, Fr.; LB Matthew Fuller, So.; OL Owen Spell, Sr.; OL Miles Starling, Sr.
Exit Strategy Planning - Family Owned Businesses
Are you a business owner considering how you plan to pass down your company to family, sell it, or continue to grow it? If so, we can help. We specialize in financial planning and exit strategy planning for family owned companies. Please contact Casey Bradley via email by clicking here to schedule a call.

GPSA helps students grow in athletics, education and life skills
Georgia Storm Prep Academy, named for owner and head coach Storm Johnson (a former UCF standout and NFL running back), is a pre- and post-graduate football program. The program includes a complete academic program with NCAA approved classes, athletic training and competitions against other Prep programs and JUCOs to gain additional exposure. We will provide the best opportunity for student-athletes to grow and mature within athletics, education, and life skills while in attendance. For information, call 678-346-8144 or contact us via email by clicking here.
 
Fundraise from anywhere with Double Good virtual app
The Double Good virtual app provides an excellent way to stay focused on your team while providing the funds you need to participate at the highest level. Our platform is 100% contactless, and our popcorn ships directly to your supporters. You could have results like these football programs which profited: Eastside - $26,000; East Coweta - $27,000; Milton - $25,000; Westlake - $39,000; and Woodstock - $24,000. For more information or to get started, contact Westlake head coach Robert May via email by clicking here.
 
Let’s build your financial game plan
At Thrivent, we believe everyone deserves a financial plan. But money can seem complicated and life gets busy, especially during football season. I know this first-hand, as a financial advisor who is also blessed to coach high school football in this state. Whether it’s investment guidance, budgeting, life insurance, debt management or retirement planning, I can help. Please reach out with any questions or needs. Have a great season! Contact Andrew Frerking by phone at 404-772-0909, via email by clicking here, or on the web at www.thrivent.com.

Register for Southeast, Kicking, Punting and Snapping Competition
Be a part of the Southeast Kicking, Punting and Snapping Competition to be held Dec. 12 at Mount Pisgah Christian School. Participants will compete against other top kickers, snappers and punters and get a chance improve their skills to become an All-State kicker, punter or snapper. Winners will get honored at the Georgia Kicking Punting and Snapping Awards. Each participant will also be placed into our ranking system based on their performance at the competition to assist them with college recruiting. Contact Cedric Oglesby via email by clicking here if you have questions. Click here to register.
  
New sports fiction book geared toward teen athlete readers
Mike Tierney, a former longtime sports editor and writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has drawn from his experiences as a basketball coach in the Decatur school system to write the sports teen fiction book "Perfect To A Fault" about a high school player who goes through an entire season without missing a shot. Mike now coaches at Notre Dame High in the Los Angeles area, where he briefly worked with Ziaire Williams, the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft. Order the book by clicking here.
 
'Nobles Strong' out in paperback
Jon Nelson followed the story of the Irwin County Indians' 2019 season for GPB Sports and the chronicling of the eventual Single-A Champs is now in book form. Head Coach Buddy Nobles was given a cancer diagnosis before the season started. An entire community - on the field and off - united with the Nobles family and the Indians for a season no one touched by the story would ever forget. Order the book by clicking here.
 
McIntosh seeks head football coach
McIntosh High School, located in Peachtree City, Ga., is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of head varsity football coach. The teaching vacancy is in physical education/health. Interested individuals can apply at www.fcboe.org. In addition, please submit a letter of interest and resume to athletic director Leon Hammond via email by clicking here.
About Us
Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced and owned by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 35-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.