Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023

2023 State Championship Games

MONDAY

Flag Football (A-4A)

Southeast Bulloch 14, North Oconee, 0


Class A Division I

Prince Ave. Christian 49, Swainsboro 32


Class A Division II

Bowdon 28, Manchester 27

TUESDAY

Flag Football (5A-6A)

Greenbrier vs. Lithia Springs, 11 a.m.


Class 2A

Pierce County vs. Rockmart, 1 p.m.


Class 4A

Stockbridge vs. Perry, 4 p.m.


Class 6A

Woodward vs. Thomas Central, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Flag Football (7A)

Pope vs. Allatoona, 11 a.m.


Class 3A

Cedar Grove vs. Sav. Christian, 1 p.m.


Class 5A

Creekside vs. Coffee, 4 p.m.


Class 7A

Walton vs. Milton, 7 p.m.

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.

Class A Division I

Prince Avenue 49, Swainsboro 32

Recap: Aaron Philo was 31-of-40 passing for 320 yards and three touchdowns, each to C.J. Dockery, and broke Trevor Lawrence’s career passing yards record. Prince Avenue Christian led 21-6 after the first quarter and never trailed while withstanding an epic performance from Swainsboro’s Demello Jones, who scored four touchdowns and a two-point conversion. With Prince Avenue leading 21-6 midway in the second quarter and facing a fourth-and-goal from the 5, Jones stepped in front of a Philo pass and returned the interception 96 yards for a touchdown. Jones had scored on a 59-yard pass reception for Swainsboro’s first score. Swainsboro then got within 28-26 late in the third quarter after Bryson Tarver blocked a punt and returned it to the Prince Avenue 4. Taking a direct snap, Jones scored on the next play. Swainsboro got no closer as Prince Avenue scored on its final four full possessions and held Swainsboro to 114 rushing yards, nearly 200 below the Tigers' average.

History: Philo finished unofficially with 13,922 career yards, 20 ahead of Lawrence, the former Cartersville and current NFL star. Philo had 56 TD passes this season, tying K’hari Lane’s 56. Prince Avenue won its third championship in four seasons and second in a row. Jones became the first player in finals history to score touchdowns three ways (run, reception, interception). He was the seventh to score on offense and defense, joining a group that includes Garrison Hearst (1989 Lincoln County). The 96-yard interception return was the second-longest in finals history behind Khaleb Hood’s 100-yarder for Eagle's Landing Christian. 

GAME STATISTICS

 

Swainsboro******************6***12****8****6**-**32

Prince Avenue Christian ***21****0***14***14**-**49

 

First quarter

P - C.J. Dockery 36 pass from Aaron Philo (Tyler Denny kick), 9:35

S - DeMello Jones 59 pass from Kason Edenfield (run failed), 9:17

P - Mac Bradley 1 run (Denny kick), 6:52

P - Aaron Philo 3 run (Denny kick), 0:11

Second quarter

S - Jones 96 interception return (run failed), 5:09

S - Jones 4 run (pass failed)

Third quarter

P - Connor Causby 20 run (Denny kick), 7:43

S - Jones 2 run (Jones run), 2:39

P - Dockery 12 pass from Philo (Denny kick), 1:40

Fourth quarter

P - Philo 9 run (Denny kick), 8:34

S - Qin Brown 37 run (run failed), 6:02

P - Dockery 8 pass from Philo (Denny kick), 2:37

 

***********************************SHS********PAC

First Downs********************** **9******** *34

Rushes/Yards (Net)***************28/114***** 39/230

Pass C/A/I***********************7/10/1*****31/40/1

Passing Yards (Net)*************** 100********320

Total Offense**********************214 ****** 550

Fumbles/Lost********************** 3/2 ****** 1/1

Penalties/Yards *******************3/25 ***8**2/7

Time of Possession ***************18:39 ***8 29:21

Sacks By: No./Yards*************** 0/0********2/16

 

Rushing: Swainsboro - Jordan Williams 7-55, Qin Brown 7-50, DeMello Jones 10-21, Kason Edenfield 4-(-12). Prince Avenue Christian - Connor Causby 24-136, Aaron Philo 13-84, Peyton Talmadge 1-9, Mac Bradley 1-1.

Passing: Swainsboro - DeMello Jones 0-2-0-0, Kason Edenfield 7-8-1-100. Prince Avenue Christian - Aaron Philo 31-40-1-320.

Receiving: Swainsboro - DeMello Jones 4-76, L.J. Morgan 1-15, Qin Brown 1-6, Jordan Williams 1-3. Prince Avenue Christian - Hudson Hill 12-123, C.J. Dockery 8-100, Connor Causby 5-29, Thornton Hester 4-52, Nick Hurley 2-16.

Class A Division II

Bowdon 28, Manchester 27

Recap: A penalty on an extra-point attempt with 7:23 left kept Manchester a point behind, and Bowdon ran out the clock on a 14-play, 74-yard drive (all runs) that required three third-down conversions and ended in victory formation near Manchester’s goal line. Kyler McGrinn rushed for 221 yards and three touchdowns and would’ve scored a fourth but purposely slid down at the Manchester 1 in the final seconds so as not to give Manchester the ball back. Manchester got within 28-27 on a nine-play, 75-yard drive. On the extra point, Manchester was flagged for a chop block. Backed up to the 18, Manchester lined up for a 35-yard extra point and faked it, but the holder threw hopelessly incomplete. Bowdon set off on the clinching drive but faced three third downs, one a third-and-14 from the Bowdon 22 that McGrinn converted with a 15-yard scramble. McGrinn converted another when he drew an encroachment penalty on a third-and-4. Bowdon had started fast, taking a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Manchester got back into the game with big plays by Jayden Terry, who caught TD passes of 28 and 55 yards in the second quarter. He set up the third touchdown with an interception returned 36 yards to the Bowdon 25. In the third quarter, breaking a 21-21 tie, McGrinn scored from the 4 at the end of a 12-play, 76-yard drive. Bowdon’s Malykie Vickers had a team-leading eight solo tackles, two for 13 yards in losses. Kentrez Lay also had two tackles for losses. Manchester’s Qua Cooper led his team in rushing (80 yards) and solo tackles (seven). Javon Favors was second in both categories (70 yards, six tackles).


History: Bowdon, despite an 0-2 start, won its second consecutive state title and fourth in history. Bowdon avenged its opening-game loss, also by one point, 21-20. McGrinn, an offseason transfer from Cleburne County, Ala., finished unofficially with 2,186 yards rushing and 33 touchdowns and 1,968 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. Manchester played valiantly in the wake of devastating news Sunday, when one of its players, sophomore Brandon Smith, was found dead after going missing for two days. Manchester came close to joining only a dozen teams all-time that have won GHSA finals after trailing by 14 points.

GAME STATISTICS

 

Bowdon*********************14****7****7****0**-**28

Manchester******************0***21****0****6**-**27

 

First quarter

B - Kyler McGrinn 1 run (Brandon Jones kick), 2:53

B - Kaiden Prothro 22 pass from McGrinn (Jones kick), 1:48

Second quarter

M - Jayden Terry 28 pass from Daryus Bryant (Jack Underwood kick), 10:27

M - Qua Cooper 9 run (Underwood kick), 6:59

M - Terry 55 pass from Bryant (Underwood kick), 4:14

B - McGrinn 1 run (Jones kick), 1:23

Third quarter

B - McGrinn 4 run (Jones kick), 5:02

Fourth quarter

M - Darius Favors 4 run (pass failed), 7:23

 

***********************************BHS*********MHS

First Downs*********************** *19**********14

Rushes/Yards (Net)***************52/282***** 40/186

Pass C/A/I************************7/9/1*******3/6/0

Passing Yards (Net)************** **60********* 89

Total Offense**********************342 ********275

Fumbles/Lost********************** 1/0 ********1/1

Penalties/Yards *******************4/34 *******9/71

Time of Possession ***************30:09 ******17:51

Sacks By: No./Yards*************** 2/27********0/0

 

Rushing: Bowdon - Kyler McGrinn 31-221, Jordan Beasley 18-76, Team 3-(-15). Manchester - Qua Cooper 14-80, Darius Favors 14-70, Daryus Bryant 5-18, Keelan Whitaker 1-9, Ken’derius Hines 3-9, Kiwan Anderson 1-0, Benji Kempson 2-0.

Passing: Bowdon - Kyler McGrinn 7-9-1-60. Manchester - Javon Favors 1-1-0-6, Daryus Bryant 2-5-0-83.

Receiving: Bowdon - Jordan Beasley 4-15, Berkley Perkins 2-23, Kaiden Prothro 1-22. Manchester - Jayden Terry 2-83, Justus Terry 1-6.

Helmet images courtesy of the Georgia High School Helmet Project. To see more, click here.

Class A-4A

SE Bulloch 14,

North Oconee 0

Recap: Korine Talkington threw two touchdown passes and ran for an extra point to lead Southeast Bulloch (23-0) to its third consecutive state championship. Her 9-yard touchdown pass to Ava King midway through the third quarter broke a scoreless tie, and her 23-yarder to Alex Odom in the fourth quarter put the game away. The Yellow Jackets also had a scoring opportunity in the first half, with second-and-goal from the 5, but an interception in the end zone by Taylor Dillard ended the threat. Talkington finished with 73 yards passing and 18 yards rushing on three carries, and Kitchings ran for 57 yards. Chloe Cochran had 34 yards receiving on four catches. Southeast Bulloch is 62-0 since starting its program in 2021 and is the only school with more than one championship in the sport's four-year history. Lithia Springs can win its second straight with a victory against Greenbrier in the 5A-6A final on Tuesday.


SCORING SUMMARY

North Oconee*0**0**0**0*-**0

SE Bulloch***0**0**7**7*-*14


Third quarter

SE - Ava King 9 pass from Korine Talkington (Talkington run)

Fourth quarter

SE - Alex Odom 23 pass from Talkington (Jaci Kitchings run)

Please send all-region teams to GHSF Daily at ghsfdaily@bellsouth.net. 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 2024.

 

To see all of the teams that we have received, visit the 2023 All-Region Teams page on our website.

Region 5-7A

Offensive player of the year: QB Jeremy Hecklinski, Walton, Sr.

Defensive player of the year: LB Ashton Woods, Walton, Sr.

Coach of the year: Luqman Salam, Osborne

 

First-team offense

QB - Nick Grimstead, North Cobb, Jr.

QB - Marcus Romain, Wheeler, Jr.

RB - Makari Bodiford, Walton, Sr.

RB - David Eziomume, North Cobb, Sr.

RB - Josiah Allen, Wheeler, Jr.

WR - Cameran Loyd, Walton, Sr.

WR - Jordan Bride, Walton, Sr.

WR - Wyatt Sonderman, Walton, Sr.

WR - T.J. Smith, North Cobb, Sr.

TE - Hunter Teal, Walton, Sr.

OL - Daniel Calhoun, Walton, Sr.

OL - Sam Trainor, Walton, Sr.

OL - Justin Krueger, Walton, Sr.

OL - Zach Addison, North Cobb, Sr.

OL - Elvin De La Crus, North Cobb, Sr.

PK - Eliezar Lara, Wheeler, Jr.

 

First-team defense

DL - Lota Ugokwe, Walton, Sr.

DL - Kam Cullins, North Cobb, Jr.

DL - Dom Moody, North Cobb, Jr.

DL - Javon Hobson, Cherokee, Sr.

DL - Gregory Blanks III, Wheeler, Sr.

DE - Wendell Gregory, Walton, Sr.

DE - Orlando Wilson, North Cobb, Jr.

DE - Dayton Wilson, Osborne, Sr.

LB - Jake Thorner, Walton, Jr.

LB - Grayson Hodges, North Cobb, Sr.

LB - Malachi Young, Wheeler, Jr.

LB - Aidan Williams, Osborne, Sr.

DB - Jordan Bride, Walton, Sr.

DB - Tyson McCrary, Walton, Sr.

DB - Cayden Trotter, North Cobb, Sr.

DB - Phillip Gladney, North Cobb, Sr.

DB - Ian Williams, Osborne, Jr.

P - Reed Chandley, Cherokee, Sr.

ATH - Jordan Bride, Walton, Sr.

ATH - Emilio Cervantes, Osborne, Jr.

 

Second-team offense

QB - Tanner Savasir, Cherokee, Jr.

RB - Austin Williams, Walton, Sr.

WR - Kobe Lewis, Kennesaw Mountain, So.

WR - Pops Jameson, Cherokee, Sr.

WR - Gracen Sexton, Cherokee, Jr.

WR - Ja’Von Broussard, Wheeler, Jr.

TE - Tyree Cook, Osborne, Sr.

OL - Hudson Pruet, Walton, Sr.

OL - Patrick Burris, Walton, Jr.

OL - Nick Thorner, Walton, So.

OL - Dom Moody, North Cobb, Jr.

OL - Alan Ortega, Cherokee, Sr.

PK - Reed Chandley, Cherokee, Sr.

 

Second-team defense

DL - Justin Krueger, Walton, Sr.

DL - Daylin Clarke, Kennesaw Mountain, Jr.

DE - Dylan Bois, Osborne, Jr.

DE - Keynon Hunter, Cherokee, Sr.

DE - Kobe McInnis, Wheeler, Jr.

LB - Hudson Beard, Walton, Jr.

LB - Cooper Negron, North Cobb, Jr.

LB - Emilio Cervantes, Osborne, Jr.

DB - Ethan Stannard, Walton, Jr.

DB - Christian Ferrell, Walton, Jr.

DB - Justin Wilson, Wheeler, Sr.

DB - Jesse Santos, Wheeler, Sr.

ATH - Kentrel Brown, Wheeler, Sr.

P - Tanner O’Brien, Walton, Sr.

 

Honorable mention: Cherokee - Jared Jones RB, Spencer Kelley OL, Christian Irwin RB, Wyatt Tash TE, Pat. Crowley OL, Spencer Radnoti DE, Jayce Carson LB, Chase Montgomery LB, Weston Bergman. DB, Elijah Foote DB. Kennesaw Mountain - Dylan Moorehead OL, Jacob Smith OL, Andrew Smith OL, Ty. Roldan K, Damari Brinson DE, Christian Wilson LB, Hayden McDougal LB, Michael Bell DB. North Cobb - James Roe TE, Jason Grier LB, Elijah Lee DB, Josh Keyes DL. Osborne - Licori Humprey RB, Derrick Mack OL, Malec Coppage OL, DJ Washington LB. Walton - Jude Cascone TE, Sebastian Banai K, Hayden Halpaus DL. Wheeler - Kentrel Brown RB, Tre Vaughn Calhoun WR, Donovan Smith OL, Rodney Hester. OL, Eliezar Lara P, Justin Wilson Athlete, Shamar Yarber DE, Jordan Whitehead LB, Elijah. Muhammad DB, Terrell Harris DB

Region 5-3A

Player of the year: QB Elliott “EJ” Colson, Cedar Grove, Jr.

Offensive player of the year: RB Amari Latimer, Sandy Creek, So.

Co-defensive player of the year: DB Jontae Gilbert, Douglass, Jr.

Co-defensive player of the year: DE/LB Jamontez Hines, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

Co-offensive lineman of the year: OL Justin Moore, Sandy Creek, Sr.

Co-offensive lineman of the year: OL Jaylen Slaughter, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Co-defensive lineman of the year: DL Chase Kerns, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Co-defensive lineman of the year: DL Kyle Mosley, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Special teams player of the year: Alex Brock, Cedar Grove, Fr.

Athlete of the year: QB Dalen Penson, Sandy Creek, Jr.

Athlete of the year: CB/WR Terrious Favors, Carver, So.

Athlete of the year: ATH Malachi Miller, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Athlete of the year: WR/CB Darien Harden, Douglass, Sr.

Scholar athlete of the year: Adonis McCrary, Douglass, Jr.

Scholar athlete of the year: Elliott “E.J.” Colson, Cedar Grove, Jr.

Scholar athlete of the year: Joshua Stone, Carver, Sr.

Scholar athlete of the year: Carter Mason, Sandy Creek, Sr.

Offensive freshman of the year: Jordan Christie, Cedar Grove, Fr.

Defensive freshman of the year: Corey Hadley Jr., Sandy Creek, Fr.

Coach of the year: John Adams, Cedar Grove

 

First-team offense

QB - John Wilson, Douglass, So.

RB - Boden Walker, Cedar Grove, Jr.

RB - Lataious Stepp, Carver (Atlanta), So.

TE - Arlando Crafton Jr., Carver (Atlanta), So.

WR - Taurin Kemp, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

WR - Kenyon Stocker, Douglass, Sr.

WR - Devin Carter, Cedar Grove, So.

WR - Kyshon Kenney, Sandy Creek, Sr.

WR - Andrew Leslie, Cedar Grove, Jr.

WR - Calik Hill, Carver (Atlanta), So

OL - Xavier Canales, Douglass, Jr.

OL - Ja’Corey Johnson, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Kelton McCrary, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Jordan Thornton, Cedar Grove, Sr.

OL - Kameron Foley, Cedar Grove, Jr.

OL - Nick Watts, Sandy Creek, Sr.

 

First-team defense

DL - Lamarcus Parks, Cedar Grove, Jr.

DL - Evan Harvey, Sandy Creek, So.

DL - Jaquon Fletcher, Douglass, Jr.

DL - Michael Johnson Jr., Carver (Atlanta), So.

DL - Javon Beckford, Cedar Grove, Jr.

LB - Torrance Polk, Douglass, Sr.

LB - Marcus Young, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

LB - Andreco Griggs, Douglass, So.

LB - Wesley Brown, Cedar Grove, Jr.

LB - Carter Mason, Sandy Creek, Sr.

LB - Jaiden Dowdell, Carver (Atlanta), Jr.

DB - Chase Usher, Sandy Creek, So.

DB - Rodrick Hunter, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DB - Rod Smith Jr, Sandy Creek, So.

DB - Sheron McKee, Douglass, Sr.

DB - Lakhi Roland, Cedar Grove, Sr.

DB - Joshua Stone, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DB - D’Marcus Clements, Cedar Grove, Jr.

 

First-team specialists

K - Charles Lynch III, Carver (Atlanta), So.

P - Jacob Johnson, Cedar Grove, Sr.

LS - T’Andre Harper, Douglass, Sr.

 

Second-team offense

QB - Dalen Penson, Sandy Creek, Jr.

RB - Chase McDowell, Sandy Creek, Jr.

RB - Antoine Watkins, Douglass, Jr.

TE - De’Sean Hendrix, Cedar Grove, So.

WR - Jace Ferguson, Sandy Creek, Sr.

WR - Rich Van Zant, Sandy Creek, Jr.

WR - Justin Johnson Jr., Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Joshua Tucker, Douglass, So.

OL - Jacob Thomas, Carver (Atlanta), Jr.

OL - Carl Anderson, Sandy Creek, Sr.

OL - Diontae White, Douglass, Jr.

OL - Javon Braden, Cedar Grove, Jr.

 

Second-team defense

DL - Jonathan Printup, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DL - Demarius Willabus, Payne, Sandy Creek, Sr.

DL - Cohen Jordan, Sandy Creek, Sr.

DL - Evan Gooden, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DL - Martez Sadler, Douglass, Jr.

LB - Tybri Singletary, Sandy Creek, Jr.

LB - Keith Bass, Cedar Grove, Jr.

LB - Dylan Thompson, Sandy Creek, Sr.

LB - Quinton Moss, Carver (Atlanta), So.

LB - Jamir Morton, Douglass, Sr.

DB - Jontavious Smith, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DB - De’Marco Hayes, Sandy Creek, Jr.

DB - Olanzio Clay, Douglass, Jr.

DB - Dana Greenhow, Sandy Creek, So.

DB - Joseph Slaughter, Cedar Grove, Sr.

DB - Tony Forney, Cedar Grove, So.

 

Second-team specialists

K - Jakob Norris, Sandy Creek, Jr.

P - Akeleen Davis, Carver (Atlanta), So.

LS - J.T. Austin, Sandy Creek, Fr.

 

Honorable mention: Carver (Atlanta) - QB Montavious Banks, QB Adam Sheely, RB Amari Russell, WR Jayden Baker, OL Jadarius Armour, OL Tydario Montford, OL Patrick Perry II, DL-Gerald Smith, DL Jaquavious Bryant-Brown, DL Preston Russell. Cedar Grove - ATH Zsewaun Smith, ATH Kaiden Hambrick. Douglass - WR Dekari Carter, OL Marion Rucker, OL Jerrod Sumlin, DL Prince Cooper, DB Dale Bostick, DB Keontae Langford, DB Malique Johnson, K Issac Sanchez-Bautista. Sandy Creek - TE Colin Janeski, WR Jace Campbell-Sandy Creek, OL Ryan Moore, OL Isaiah Sotherland, OL Jaden Godfrey-Sandy Creek, LB Eddie Springer

Pure Athlete Podcast with Jeff Francoeur

Pure Athlete, a podcast empowering young athletes, parents, and coaches to navigate the complex culture of youth sports, features hosts Jeff Francoeur, Britt Lee, and Brad Williams. Through insightful conversations with sports icons and experts, they generate content rich in inspiration and information to support the development of competitive athletes both on and off the field. For more information, visit PureAthleteInc.com or contact Britt Lee via email by clicking here.

 

Character Education Athletic Program: The Mike Jones Story

Looking to improve the character and discipline on your team? Former professional and All-American athlete Mike Jones is looking to save the lives and careers of our youth by sharing with them the mistakes he made that sidetracked his career. The Mike Jones Story is relatable for ANY athlete in ANY sport. Let us reinforce the same messages that I know you try to instill into your athletes daily. Character education saves lives, and that is a fact! Contact Terry White at 706-442-1337 or via email by clicking here for bookings, or visit the website by clicking here.

 

Senior players needed for Global Ambassadors Bowl 2024 in Spain

From 2008-2019, a Team Stars & Stripes squad of high school seniors each spring chose to experience a fascinating foreign country as a team over a nine-day period. Global Travel is rolling again, and we are reaching out to players and coaches nationally as we build a solid team of committed, enthusiastic high school seniors not likely to receive a college football scholarship to join and play one more game – in Spain. The tour highlight will be a ‘friendly match’ against a Spanish Under-19 All-Star team. The tour will run Saturday, March 16, through Sunday, March 24, starting in Barcelona on the Mediterranean Sea and then heading to Madrid where the Bowl game will be played. Click here for the trip itinerary and inclusions, or for more information contact coach Greg Vandagriff at 678-877-6293 or via email by clicking here.

 

Let The Steak House Restaurant serve your team’s next pre-game meal

The Steak House Restaurant in Hawkinsville specializes in high school football team pre-game meals. We have a private dining area for traveling parties of 140 guests. We serve high school football teams every week from all over the state traveling through central Georgia. We offer special rates for football teams. Let us cater your next pre-game meal. We are located at 341 Bypass, 9 Buchan Dr., Hawkinsville. Please contact Lewis Fowler at 487-892-3383 or via email by clicking here for reservations or to get more information.

 

GHSA is recruiting officials for all sports

The GHSA is actively attempting to recruit contest officials in all sports. If you are 18 years of age or older, go to the GHSA website (ghsa.net), then click on the Officials section to access the Playing for Another Team program. Individuals merely need to provide a name and email address and indicate the sports interested in to receive registration information. For more information, contact GHSA associate director Don Corr via email by clicking here.

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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 38-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.