♪♪ ♪♪ >>> YES, IT'S FINALLY HERE ON A BEAUTIFUL THURSDAY MORNING AT CENTER PARC STADIUM, CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK IS UPON US.

AND WE BEGIN WITH THE CLASS A THROUGH 4A FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS FEATURING TWO SCHOOLS FROM THE SAME COUNTY, THE PORTAL PANTHERS AND THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH YELLOW JACKETS MEETING FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEASON.

GOOD MORNING, I'M WILEY BALLARD, JOINED BY THE STATE OF GEORGIA'S FOREMOST EXPERT ON ALL THINGS FLAG FOOTBALL, DAVE REYNOLDS.

WE'RE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU WITH US AS WE KICK OFF THIS THREE-DAY MARATHON COVERAGE OF THE GHSA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE GROWTH OF THIS SUPPORT AND IT'S SECONDS YEAR AS A GHSA-SANCTIONED SPORTS, FLAG FOOTBALL HAS GROWN LEAPS AND BOUNDS SINCE IT STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL SANCTIONED FOR FLAG FOOTBALL FOR GIRLS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

INCREDIBLE SUPPORT, INCREDIBLE ENERGY.

AND IT'S GROWN, IN 2021 WE HAD 181 SCHOOLS PLAYING FLAG FOOTBALL.

STILL PLENTY OF ROOM FOR GROWTH FOR FLAG FOOTBALL.

BUT 110% GROWTH IN ONE YEAR IS FANTASTIC.

>> AS YOU SEE THE COIN TOSS UNDER WAY, PORTAL HAS WON IT AND DEFERRED.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR RULES NOW.

THE KEY TO SANCTIONS BETWEEN FLAG FOOTBALL AND TACKLE FOOTBALL, THERE ARE PLENTY.

>> THE FIELD WILL BE 80 YARDS LONG AND 40 YARDS WIDE.

WE'LL PLAY TWO 20-MINUTES HALF.

ONCE BY GET UNDER ONE MINUTE OF THE HALF, THE CLOCK WILL RUN SIMILAR TO TACKLE FOOTBALL, THE CLOCK WILL STOP.

EVERY PLAYER IS ELIGIBLE TO CATCH A FORWARD PASS.

FLAG FOOTBALL IS A NONCONTACT SPORT.

THINK OF BASKETBALL WHERE PLAYERS CANNOT INITIATE CONTACT WITH THEIR OPPONENTS.

WE'LL SEE A LOT OF SCREEN BLOCKING ON THE FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD TODAY.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THOSE DISTINCTIONS AND RULES AND THINGS THAT MAKE FLAG FOOTBALL DIFFERENT FROM TACKLE FOOTBALL.

TO ME, THE KEY TO KNOW IS POSSESSIONS ARE PRECIOUS IN FLAG FOOTBALL WITH THAT RUNNING CLOCK.

THESE HALVES MOVE QUICKLY.

TWO-SCORE DEFICIT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME.

LET'S GET TO OUR PLAYERS TO WATCH.

NOW FOR THE PORTAL PANTHERS, AGAIN, RETURNING TO THE STATE FINALS, THEY FELL 6-0 TO CAVALRY DAY LAST YEAR.

THEY FEATURE A JUNIOR IN BLAIR BRANNEN WHO WAS THEIR GO-TO RECEIVER AND A SHUTDOWN CORNER ON RECEIVE.

>> BLAIR BRANNEN PLAYED CENTER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON, NOW A WIDE RECEIVER FOR THE PANTHERS.

YOU CAN'T TEACH SPEED, AND BLAIR BRANNEN HAS PLENTY OF IT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FOOTBALL.

>> IT'S NO SURPRISE IN FLAG FOOTBALL, THERE ARE A LOT OF MULTISPORT ATHLETES ON THE FIELD.

FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH THEY FEATURE A FUTURE GEORGIA SOUTHERN SOFTBALL PITCHER IN ALANA BARNARD.

BUT ON THE FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD, SHE'S A HEADHUNTER.

>> NUMBER 20 ALREADY HAS EIGHT INTERCEPTIONS ON THE SEASON.

ONLY PLAYING A SHORT SEASON BECAUSE OF SOFTBALL.

SHE'S A HEADHUNTER.

BIG PLAYMAKER.

A FUN PERSON TO BE AROUND.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HAS NOT GIVEN UP ANY POINTS IN THE PLAYOFFS AND FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH YELLOW JACKETS, TO BE SUCCESSFUL, I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ALANA BARNARD TO PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THAT SUCCESS.

>> NOW, BECAUSE THESE CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BE PLAYED ON THE SAME FIELD AS THE TACKLE CHAMPIONSHIPS, THE YARD LINES, THE PAINT ON THE FIELD IS NOT NECESSARILY ACCURATE FOR FLAG FOOTBALL.

THE FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD IS ONLY 80 YARDS LONG, WHICH MEANS THAT THE END ZONES BEGIN AT EACH 10-YARD LINE ON THE FIELD AND MIDFIELD IS THE 40 YARD LINE.

THOSE ZONES TO GAIN, THERE'S NO CHAIN GANG, IF YOU WILL.

IT'S STRICTLY, GOT TO GET TO MIDFIELD, THEN THE 20, OR ON YOUR SCREEN, THE 30 FOR ANOTHER FIRST DOWN.

AS YOU SEE THE YELLOW JACKETS EMERGING FROM THEIR LOCKER ROOM.

THEY'RE LED BY HEAD COACH MARCI COCHRAN AND HER HUSBAND, NICK COCHRAN.

THEY'RE 18-0.

THEY HAVE NOT LOST A GAME THIS SEASON.

THEY SURRENDER ON AVERAGE 3 1/2 POINTS PER GAME.

THEIR DEFENSE HAS BEEN ONE OF THEIR DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS.

FOR PORTAL, THEY HAVE JAY REDDICK, THEIR SECOND-YEAR HEAD COACH.

HE'S TRYING TO GIVE THE PORTAL PANTHERS THEIR THIRD STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

THE OTHER TWO WERE FROM THE GIRLS GOLF TEAM, WHERE COACH REDDICK WAS ALSO THE HEAD COACH.

ONE OF THE SMALLEST SCHOOLS ACROSS ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND THEY'RE COMPETING IN YET ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND THERE IS A LOOK AT MARCI COCHRAN AND HER HUSBAND, NICK.

THEY MET ON THE INTERMURAL FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN IN STATESBOROUGH.

20 YEARS LATER, THEY'RE COACHING IN A GHSA SANCTIONED FLAG FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

IT'S FUNNY, THE TWISTS AND TURNS THAT LIFE TAKES.

WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN 20 YEARS AGO, FLAG FOOTBALL WOULD BE A CENTRAL PART OF THEIR LIVES, AS WELL AS THEIR LIVES WITH EACH OTHER.

>> QUICK SHOUT-OUT TO GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, THE MECCA OF FLAG FOOTBALL.

A BUNCH OF NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AND ALL-AMERICANS COMING OUT OF GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

>> BOTH OF THESE COOLS FROM BULLOCH COUNTY.

PORTAL HAS 240 STUDENTS.

THEY'RE A SINGLE-CLASS A SCHOOL.

THE FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE 7A.

WE BEGIN.

IT IS FIRST AND SIX FROM THE 14 YARD LINE.

I KNOW THAT LOOKS LIKE THE 24, IF YOU WATCH A LOT OF TACKLE.

THE FIRST TOSS FROM THE YELLOW JACKETS CORNERBACK IS CAUGHT.

WHAT A GRAB BY DELANEY THAMES.

THAT'S JUST HER EIGHTH CATCH OF THE YEAR.

>> A LITTLE SURPRISING TO HEAR.

TAKES SOME NERVES OUT OF THE GAME MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

NICE JOB DOWN FIELD THREAT RIGHT THERE.

>> 34 YARD PASS FROM AINSLEIGH LITTLES TO DELANIE THAMES.

A POP PASS AHEAD CALLED BY THE CENTER, ABIGAIL MORGAN.

>> WE USE THE CENTER A BUNCH.

EXPECT NUMBER 24, ABIGAIL MORGAN, TO BE INVOLVED HERE.

SETTING UP THE SECOND DOWN HERE IN 12.

>> SECOND AND 12, AS YOU SAID.

THEY'VE GOT TO GET TO THE 30 YARD LINE FOR A FIRST DOWN ON THE RUN.

THIS PASS CAUGHT BY KORINE TALKINGTON AND HER FLAG PULLED BY KELSI WILLIAMS.

>> BRINGS UP A NICE THIRD AND SHORT HERE.

AGAIN, TAKING WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU.

IF IT'S NOT THERE TO THE RIGHT, SCRAMBLE TO THE LEFT.

A LITTLE PITCH AND CATCH THERE.

SETS UP A NICE, MANAGEABLE THIRD AND SHORT HERE.

>> A GAIN OF TEN.

IT IS THIRD DOWN AND TWO.

AND THAT WILL MOVE THE CHAINS AT FIRST DOWN.

THE 20 YARD LINE IS REALLY THE 10 YARD LINE.

IT WILL BE GOAL TO GO HERE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE STARTING LINEUPS NOW FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

YOU CAN SEE KORINE TALKINGTON, KAYLEE HAAS, ADDIE HOOD AND ALEX ODOM.

AND A DIRECT SNAP AGAIN.

THAT FLAG WAS PULLED BEFORE THAT PITCHBACK COULD BE MADE BY KORINE TALKINGTON.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE DEFENSIVE LINEUP, FIRST FOR THE FRONT LINE, PORTAL, KIARA RAYMOND, JOZIE MOTES, BLAIR BRANNEN, AND GLENDIA LOWE WITH AKELA WILLIAMS.

A GOOD OPENING DRIVE HERE.

AND A SOFT TOSS CAUGHT BY TALKINGTON.

AND HER FLAG PULLED BY BRANNEN.

IT WILL BE THIRD AND GOAL TO GO.

AGAIN, THE TEN YARD LINE, THAT'S KEY, THE TEN YARD LINE IS THE END ZONE.

AND HERE, IT'S AN EMPTY SET HERE.

AND A PASS INCOMPLETE.

>> HAVE THE TARGET SET UP.

SPREAD THEM OUT WIDE.

GET SOME SPACING ON THE DEFENSE THERE.

FAILED TO PLAY PITCH AND CATCH TO THE CENTER THERE, ABIGAIL MORGAN.

>> THERE ARE NO FIELD GOALS IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

IT WILL BE FOURTH DOWN AND GOAL TO GO.

FOURTH AND 11.

GOT TO GET TO THE TEN YARD LINE.

THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVE, BUT TO GO FOR IT HERE.

THERE'S NO FIELD GOALS.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PUNT.

JUST 11 YARDS AWAY.

LET'S SEE IF THE EIGHTH PLAY OF THE DRIVE CAN RESULT IN SOME POINTS FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THE PASS FROM LITTLES.

SHE WAS LOOKING FOR RECEIVER THERE TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE END ZONE.

BUT COULDN'T CONNECT WITH LAUREN ERICKSON.

ANOTHER SOFTBALL PLAYER.

>> NICE JOB BY THE PORTAL PANTHERS HERE.

BEND, DON'T BREAK.

FIRST PLAY OUT OF THE CHUTE, BIG BOMB DOWN THE FIELD.

AND THE DRIVE JUST STALLED FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS THERE.

WE'LL SEE IF THE PORTAL PANTHERS CAN RESPOND HERE ON OFFENSE.

>> AGAIN, IT IS FIRST DOWN AND NINE.

THEY'VE GOT TO GET TO THAT 30 YARD LINE MARK.

THAT WILL MOVE THE CHAINS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT PORTAL'S STARTING LINEUP.

RILEY LAMB ON THE CARRY.

A JUNIOR.

BRANNEN, BARNES AND WILLIAMS, THE RECEIVERS.

GLENDIA LOWE IN THE CENTER SPOT.

THIRD CENTER THIS YEAR FOR PORTAL.

SECOND DOWN OF FOUR.

THAT WILL BE THE FIRST DOWN.

GOOD COMPLETION.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH DEFENSE, A GROUP THAT HAS NOT ALLOWED A POINT IN THE POSTSEASON.

A COUPLE OF KAYLEES UP FRONT, ALANA BARNARD.

AND AINSLEIGH LITTLES.

THE BALL IS INTERCEPTED.

NOW SOUTHEAST BULLOCH TRIES TO RUN BACK WITH IT AND FINALLY THE FLAG PULLED.

INTERCEPTION, AINSLEIGH LITTLES PULLS IT IN.

>> ABSOLUTE BACK-BREAKER FOR THE PORTAL OFFENSE.

TIPPED BALL RIGHT HERE.

AINSLEIGH LITTLES IN THE RIGHT SPOT AT THE RIGHT TIME.

CATCHES THE INTERCEPTION PASS AND PUTS THE YELLOW JACKETS BACK IN GREAT FIELD POSITION HERE.

>> THIRD INTERCEPTION FOR LITTLES AT THE DEFENSIVE BACK.

TAKES A SHOT TOWARDS THE END ZONE.

GREAT HANDS!

IT'S PULLED IN BY DELANIE THAMES!

THEY TAKE THE SHOT AFTER THE TURNOVER AND THE YELLOW JACKETS ARE UP 6-0.

>> NOT THE BEST-LOOKING SPIRAL THERE.

IT GOES UP AND GETS IT AND LAYS IT OUT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

NICE JOB, DELANIE THAMES, SCORING THE TOUCHDOWN THERE.

>> YOU CAN GO FOR ONE, TWO OR THREE.

IT APPEARS THAT SOUTHEAST BULLOCH IS OPTING TO GO FOR ONE.

THAT'S MOST COMMON.

THEY NEED TO GET IT IN FROM THE TWO YARD LINE.

INTO THE END ZONE AND CAUGHT.

ALEX ODOM.

MAKES IT 7-0, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

>> REAL QUICK HERE RESPONSE BY THE JACKETS.

HERE FOR THE TRY FOR ONE.

PITCH AND CATCH.

PITCH IT BACKWARDS.

AND NUMBER 13, GETS IT UP.

NICE RECEPTION RIGHT THERE.

PITCH AND CATCH RIGHT THERE.

GO UP 7-0.

INTERCEPTIONS ARE CRITICAL IN A GAME OF FLAG FOOTBALL.

>> FIRST DOWN AND SIX FOR PORTAL.

THEIR FIRST POSSESSION ENDED ON AN INTERCEPTION.

A GOOD PULL BY ALANA BARNARD.

>> AGAIN, REMEMBER, WE STARTED FIRST DOWN AND SIX FROM THE 14-YARD LINE.

ON FIRST DOWN, IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL TO GET A ONE-YARD GAIN THERE.

>> BARNARD, GEORGIA SOUTHERN SOFTBALL COMMIT.

SHE HIT .534 THIS SEASON IN SOFTBALL.

A PASS TO LAMB.

SHE'S GOT THE FIRST DOWN.

THEY'LL MOVE INTO THE SECOND ZONE.

NEXT LINE TO GAIN WILL BE THE 40.

>> KIND OF TAKING WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU HERE.

ONLY PROBLEM HERE WAS THE FIRST DOWN AND HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO BE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A FIRST DOWN, 19 FOR THE PANTHERS THERE.

BUT, AGAIN, GOT TO GET THE FIRST DOWN.

GOT TO GET THE LINE TO GAIN.

NICE JOB ON THE EDGE THERE FOR RILEY LAMB.

>> 3 FOR 4.

16 YARDS.

DOES HAVE AN INTERCEPTION, THOUGH.

ANOTHER COMPLETION GOES TO BRANNEN.

>> HAVING SOME SUCCESS HERE ON THE UNDERNEATH STUFF, THE SHORT ROUTES, THE OPTION READS.

WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF WE TRY TO GET THAT DOWN THE FIELD.

AS LONG AS WE STAY ON TIME, GAIN FOUR, FIVE YARDS PER SNAP, PER PLAY, THE OFFENSE CAN ROLE.

>> AND THAT PASS FOR SERENITY WILLIAMS.

TELL ME ABOUT BLOCKING IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

TAKE A LOOK AT GLENDIA LOWE.

SHE HAD ANOTHER TEAMMATE HELPING HER BLOCK.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

>> ON THAT LAST PLAY, WE SAW TWO DIFFERENT BLOCKERS DROPPING BACK TO BLOCK.

WE CAN MOVE, BUT CANNOT INITIATE CONTACT WITH OUR BLOCKING.

>> GOT TO GET TO MIDFIELD AND THAT PASS OFF THE FINGERTIPS OF THE INTENDED TARGET, BLAIR BRANNEN.

THEY'LL GO TO HER A LOT.

BOTH OF THOSE TOUCHDOWNS.

>> REALLY NICE PRESSURE UP FRONT.

PROBABLY YELLOW JACKETS, FORCING THAT PASS.

A LITTLE QUICKER THAN WHAT THE PANTHERS WANTED THERE.

BRINGS UP FOURTH DOWN.

LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, ON FOURTH DOWN, YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO GO FOR IT OR PUNT.

HERE WE HAVE A PUNT.

>> YOU HAVE TO DECLARE A PUNT, THERE IS NO FAKE PUNTS, THEREFORE, AS SOON AS THE BALL IS RETRIEVED, IT CAN BE RETURNED.

IT WAS.

AND IT WILL BE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH BALL.

DELANIE THAMES RETRIEVES THAT PUNT.

10:31 LEFT IN THE FIRST HALF.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH LEADS 7-0 IN OUR FIRST OF THREE FLAG FOOTBALL FINALS ON GPB.

>>> THE YELLOW JACKETS HAVE NEVER WON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN A GIRL'S SPORT.

MARCI COCHRAN AND HER TEAM TRYING TO MAKE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HISTORY.

FOR A PROGRAM THAT LAUNCHED IN MAY.

THAT IS WHEN MARCI COCHRAN FIELDED THE CALL FROM HER ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.

SHE IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL COACH AND ASKED IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN COACHING FLAG FOOTBALL.

AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SHE ACTUALLY CALLED PORTAL COACH JAY REDDICK FOR HIS INPUT, AND HE TOLD HER, YOU HAVE TO DO IT.

IT'S A GROWING SPORT AND A GREAT FOR THE GIRLS.

THAT FIRST PITCH DOESN'T GAIN A WHOLE LOT.

KORINE TALKINGTON, OUT OF BOUNDS.

>> NICE JOB MAKING THAT PLAY GO RIGHT OUT OF BOUNDS.

THE NICE THING ABOUT THE YELLOW JACKETS OFFENSE, BASED ON A LOT OF OPTIONS, IT GIVES PLAYERS BASED ON WHAT THE DEFENSE SHOWS US, GIVES THE OPTIONS FOR THE QUARTERBACK AND RUNNING BACKS.

>> SECOND DOWN AND 10.

GOT TO GET TO MIDFIELD.

THAT BALL HAULED IN BY ABIGAIL MORGAN.

SHE LEADS THE TEAM IN RECEPTIONS.

THE CENTER LEADS THE TEAM IN RECEPTIONS.

>> HERE'S ONE OF THE OPTIONS BY THE QUARTERBACK.

LOOKED THE DEFENDER OFF RIGHT THERE.

GET UP FIELD.

BRINGING UP A THIRD AND MANAGEABLE FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS.

>> THAT CENTER IS A KEY PART OF THE OFFENSE IN ANY FLAG OFFENSE.

THIRD AND FOUR.

LITTLES.

TAKES HER SHOT.

DOUBLE COVERAGE.

IT'S BATTED AWAY.

GOOD DEFENSE BY PORTAL.

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AS WELL.

>> ALREADY HAD SUCCESS ONE TIME ON THE DEEP BALL HERE.

WHY NOT TRY IT AGAIN.

UNFORTUNATELY, HERE, VERY ATHLETIC PLAY, INCOMPLETE PASS, BRINGS UP FOURTH DOWN.

>> THEY SAY IT'S A NONCONTACT CONTACT SPORT, RIGHT, DAVE?

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

BOTH TEAMS GOING UP FOR THE FOOTBALL THERE.

NO HARM, NO FOUL.

CANNOT INITIATE CONTACT THERE.

INCOMPLETE PASS.

FOURTH DOWN.

>> AND SOUTHEAST BULLOCH OPT TO PLAY FIELD POSITION.

THEY WILL PUNT HERE.

THIS IS ALANA BARNARD.

THE PUNT CAN BE RETURNED IF FIELDED CLEANLY.

THAT GOES OUT OF BOUNDS AND IT LOOKS TO BE FIRST AND SHORT AS IT WAS JUST BEYOND THAT FIRST ZONE LINE OF THE 30.

BLAIR BRANNEN, LET'S SEE WHAT THE PORTAL OFFENSE THAT CAN GET GOING.

THEY STRUGGLED TO CATCH THE BALL THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF THE SEASON.

A TEAM THAT PLAYED FOR A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR, DIDN'T GET OUT OF THE STARTING BLOCKS VERY WELL.

BUT THEY HAVE PEAKED AT THE RIGHT TIME.

WON THREE ONE-POSSESSION GAMES.

AND THAT ONE IS ON ME, I SUPPOSE.

APRIL BARNES.

>> YOU JUST SPOKE THAT INTO EXISTENCE.

COME ON, NOW.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT LOOK ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

AND THERE WE SEE TWO CONES.

THE YELLOW CONE IS FOR THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

AND THE DEFENSE HAS YOU BEHIND THEIR CONES AS WELL.

>> THAT NEUTRAL ZONE, A LITTLE WIDER IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

DEEP SHOT.

RECEIVER DIDN'T HAVE HER HEAD TURNED AROUND.

LOOKING FOR JOZIE MOTES.

>> JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER THERE, COMING BACK, SECOND YEAR FOR HER PLAYING FLAG FOOTBALL.

CLUTCH RECEIVER.

SHE'S A GO-TO TARGET FOR THE PANTHERS.

JUST KNOW SUCCESS RIGHT THERE.

STINGY DEFENSE THERE BY THE YELLOW JACKETS.

>> YATES, AFTER STARTING 3 FOR 4, IS 1 FOR HER LAST 5 PASSING.

THIRD DOWN.

AND THAT ONE A LITTLE OVERTHROWN, LOOKING FOR BLAIR BRANNEN.

YOU GOT TO THINK A PUNT HERE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ELECT TO DO.

>> AND YOU SEE THE CLOCK STILL RUNNING THERE.

REMEMBER, THE FIRST 19 MINUTES OF EACH HALF, THE CLOCK WILL CONTINUE TO RUN, EVEN ON INCOMPLETE PASSES, EVEN ON CHANGE OF POSSESSIONS.

>> HERE'S THE PUNT FROM BRANNEN.

ON A HOP.

ODOM'S GOT IT.

TRIES TO SHIFT HER HIPS.

AND THE FLAG IS PULLED.

A SHORT FIELD FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH COMING UP.

THIS DEFENSE FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HAS BEEN SO GOOD.

HAVE NOT YET ALLOWED A PUNT -- OR A POINT RATHER, IN THIS PLAYOFF RUN.

IT BEGAN 11 DAYS AGO.

SHE HAS TO KEEP THE BALL UP.

THAT WAS AFTER THE FLAG WAS PULLED.

>> ONE RULE WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IS FLAG GUARDING.

ANY ATTEMPT BY THE BALL CARRIER TO BLOCK THE FLAG WILL DRAW A PENALTY.

YOU'RE EXPECTED TO RUN WITH YOUR HANDS UP.

>> THAT SEEMS LIKE AINSLEIGH LITTLES IS CONTENT WITH GOING TO HER CENTER, ABIGAIL MORGAN.

THEY'VE DONE THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

>> A COUPLE IDEAS HERE, ONE, THEY'RE ALL ELIGIBLE.

WHY NOT GIVE IT TO HER.

STAYING ON TIME, GETTING DOWN THE FIELD, EVERY SINGLE PLAY.

>> OUR FIRST PENALTY FLAG, A FALSE START COMING HERE FROM SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

OUR OFFICIATING CREW, KIP ARNOLD, OUR HEAD REFEREE.

>> Referee: PRIOR TO THE SNAP, FALSE START, OFFENSE, FIVE-YARD PENALTY.

>> FIVE-YARD PENALTY, JUST LIKE TACKLE FOOTBALL.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE REST OF THE OFFICIATING CREW.

>> CAN'T MOVE UNTIL THE BALL IS SNAPPED.

SIMILAR RULES TO TACKLE FOOTBALL.

>> LITTLES FACES SOME PRESSURE.

WILL RUN WITH IT.

SHE BEATS HER DEFENDER AND HAS THE FIRST DOWN AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

AINSLEIGH LITTLES GETTING DOWN THE SIDELINE.

>> JUST THE SPEED RIGHT THERE TO BE ON THE EDGE.

NAILING NUMBER 13.

I LIKE IT A LITTLE BIT.

NOTHING DOWN FIELD.

WHY NOT USE THOSE TWO LEGS.

THAT'S A BUNCH OF SPEED RIGHT THERE TO OUTRUN TWO DEFENDERS.

IF WE CAN MAKE ONE DEFENDER MISS, LOOK OUT, THE REST OF THE FIELD MIGHT BE OPEN.

MAKING THAT FIRST TWO DEFENDERS MISS.

NICE JOB RIGHT THERE BY THE QUARTERBACK.

>> IT'S A GAIN OF 20 YARDS ON THE RUSH.

AND A PASS TO MORGAN.

SHE'S CLOSE TO THE END ZONE, BUT HER FLAG PULLED FOUR, FIVE YARDS SHY.

A CHANCE FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH TO GO UP BY TWO SCORES HERE.

>> CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME HERE.

TAKE WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES US.

I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE CENTER AGAIN.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW THE PORTAL DEFENSE DOES RESPOND TO START SHUTTING IT DOWN.

>> THEY'RE THREE YARDS AWAY, AND THAT'S SIX FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

AINSLEIGH LITTLES RACES IN WITH HER 23rd RUSHING TOUCHDOWN OF THE YEAR.

A FOUR-YARD SCAMPER.

IT'S 14-0, YELLOW JACKETS.

>> VERY CHALLENGING, THE OPTION.

VERY CHALLENGING TO STOP.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE HIGH IQ PLAYERS LIKE SOUTHEAST DOES TO WHERE WE CAN GET THE BALL ON THE EDGE.

USE OUR SPEED FOR THE TOUCHDOWN.

>> AND NOW THE POINT-AFTER TRY.

SHOE STRING CATCH.

SHE DID NOT BREAK THE PLANE, IT LOOKS LIKE.

REMAINS 13-0.

>> REAL TIGHT AT THE GOAL LINE.

NICE PITCH AND CATCH.

GET THE BALL ON THE EDGE.

THAT'S JUST CLASSIC FLAG FOOTBALL RIGHT THERE BY THE YELLOW JACKETS.

>> JUST OVER THREE MINUTES REMAINING IN THE FIRST HALF.

THERE'S A ONE-MINUTE WARNING.

THAT WAS A FOUR-PLAY, 42-YARD, 2 1/2-MINUTE DRIVE.

FIRST AND SIX.

GOT TO GET TO THAT 30 YARD LINE ON THE FIELD.

AND THAT PASS CAUGHT BY RILEY LAMB.

SHE SEEMS TO HAVE THE SUREST HANDS SO FAR TODAY FOR PORTAL.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY'VE TRIED TO TAKE MANY DEEP SHOTS IN THIS FIRST HALF.

>> NEED TO FIND SOME KIND OF CONFIDENCE BOOSTER HERE AS THE CLOCK RUNS DOWN IN THE FIRST HALF.

MOVE THE BALL, GET SUCCESS ON THE OFFENSE HERE.

BEEN A LONG FIRST HALF SO FAR FROM THE PANTHERS.

>> BOTH TEAMS HAVE THREE TIME-OUTS FOR THE ENTIRE GAME.

THERE'S A FIRST DOWN AND MOORE, WELL DONE.

NICE GRAB.

>> A LITTLE DIFFERENT LOOK HERE BY THE PANTHERS.

TWO BLOCKING BACKS BACK THERE.

EVENTUALLY WE GET NUMBER 36, NeSMITH OPEN AND DOWN THE FIELD THERE.

>> MADISON NeSMITH COMING OFF THE BENCH.

A SOPHOMORE.

HAS NOT CONTRIBUTED MUCH THIS YEAR, BUT THAT WAS A HUGE CATCH.

THANKS TO THE YARDS AFTER THE FIRST DOWN, IT'S FIRST AND 14.

HERE COMES THAT DEEP SHOT.

INTO THE DOUBLE-TEAM.

AND BATTLING FOR IT OUT OF BOUNDS.

BLAIR BRANNEN UP AGAINST ALEX ODOM.

>> ATHLETE ON ATHLETE RIGHT THERE.

DROPPED THREE TO BLOCK.

GIVE THEM TIME DOWN THE FIELD.

AGAIN, GOING TO IMPACT PLAYER THERE, JUST RUNS OUT OF ROOM.

STILL FIGHTING FOR THE BALL.

LOOK AT THE AGGRESSION AND PASSION THERE BY BOTH PLAYERS RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S WHAT FLAG FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT.

>> ODOM HAS EIGHT INTERCEPTIONS ON THE YEAR.

AND QUICKLY RIGHT ON TOP OF IT.

ALANA BARNARD.

>> NICE JOB OF PLAYING CATCH.

YOU SEE NUMBER 17, RILEY LAMB, GET YOUR HANDS UP SO WHERE SHE DOES NOT GET CALLED FOR FLAG GUARDING.

CRITICAL IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

>> Referee: ONE-MINUTE WARNING.

>> THE CLOCK WORKS DIFFERENTLY HERE, JUST LIKE TACKLE FOOTBALL.

THE CLOCK WILL STOP ON DROPPED PASSES, GOING OUT OF BOUNDS.

THIRD AND TEN.

HUGE PLAY.

DEEP DROPBACK TO LITTLES.

LETS IT FLY AND IT'S NEARLY INTERCEPTED BY ALEX ODOM.

SHE CAME SCREECHING ACROSS THE FIELD TO TRY AND HAUL THAT ONE IN.

NEARLY PICKED IT OFF.

>> ALEX ODOM, JUST FLYING ACROSS THE TOP OF THE DEFENSE RIGHT THERE.

MAN, SHE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT ONE, THAT WOULD BE A PICK SIX MAYBE FOR NUMBER TWO, THE SOPHOMORE SAFETY.

>> INSTEAD, IT WILL BE A PUNT AND BLAIR BRANNEN'S KICK TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD.

ODOM FIELDS IT.

TRYING TO ZIGZAG HER WAY UP AND PULLED IN BY NeSMITH.

HOW AGGRESSIVE WILL SOUTHEAST BULLOCH BE HERE?

>> WE HAVE THREE TIME-OUTS PER GAME.

NOT PER HALF.

THE OTHER IDEA IS, YOU'RE UP BY 13 ALREADY, YOU'VE BEEN CONTROLLING THE ENTIRE GAME.

WHY RISK ANYTHING AS WE HAVE AN INJURY HERE.

>> OH, MY.

THAT'S GLENDIA LOWE.

SOPHOMORE WHO IS IN HER THIRD -- THE THIRD CENTER FOR PORTAL THIS YEAR.

ORIGINALLY USED BLAIR BRANNEN, THEN HER YOUNGER SISTER, MAGGIE JO BRANNEN.

WENT DOWN WITH INJURY.

AND NOW, LOWE, THAT RIGHT LEG IS GETTING LOOKED AT HERE.

SEE WHAT JAY REDDICK AND HIS TEAM OPT TO DO HERE.

>> HOPEFULLY SHE CAN COME BACK QUICKLY.

RETURNING STARTER.

A LOT OF EXPERIENCE.

SUPERFAST ATHLETE RIGHT THERE.

I HOPE WE CAN GET HER BACK OUT QUICKLY.

>> LOOK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN HERE FOR LOWE.

GOOD MOVE AND -- YEAH, LOWE COMES UP A LANE.

OH, YEAH.

THAT LOOKED LIKE THAT RIGHT ANKLE GAVE A LITTLE BIT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW.

DON'T WANT TO SPECULATE.

THE WAY SHE WAS HELPED OFF THE FIELD.

46 SECONDS TO GO IN THE FIRST HALF.

LITTLES GOING DEEP.

LOOKING FOR ODOM.

INTERCEPTED!

PORTAL'S GOT IT!

BLAIR BRANNEN WITH THE INT AND A LITTLE MOMENTUM FOR PORTAL.

>> TAKE THE SHOT HERE BY THE YELLOW JACKETS LATE IN THE FIRST HALF.

HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD.

UNFORTUNATELY, IMPACT PLAYER OVER THE TOP.

NICE GRAB RIGHT THERE WITH THE GLOVES.

MUST HAVE SOME STICKING RIGHT THERE TO CATCH THE BALL.

GETS BACK UP FIELD AND MAYBE A LITTLE MO MO HERE FOR THE PANTHERS IN THE FIRST HALF.

>> I THINK SHE'S GOING TO LINE UP AT CENTER, WOULD BE MY GUESS.

NO, THAT APPEARS TO BE -- FIRST, WE HAVE A FLAG.

>> Referee: PRIOR TO THE SNAP, SNAP INFRACTION, OFFENSE, FIVE-YARD PENALTY.

STILL FIRST DOWN.

>> WE'LL SEE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN SNAP THE FOOTBALL HERE.

ONCE THEY START THE MOVEMENT, IT HAS TO BE ONE CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE APRIL BARNES IS GOING TO BE THE CENTER.

THIS IS THE 40 CENTER THAT PORTAL HAS USED THIS SEASON.

GETS THAT ONE AWAY CLEANLY.

THE BALL IS CAUGHT AND THE FLAG YANKED AFTER THE CATCH MADE BY KELSI WILLIAMS.

HOW DOES PORTAL WANT TO USE THEIR TIME-OUTS?

THEY GET THREE FOR THE ENTIRE GAME.

>> BEING ON THE MINUS SIDE OF THE FIELD WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME HERE.

WE LET THIS THING RUN TO HALF.

GET IN THE LOCKER ROOM, SPEND SOME TIME THERE AND RECONVENE, CIRCLE THE WAGON, FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN COME BACK IN THE SECOND HALF.

>> AND PORTAL'S GOT THE BALL COMING OUT.

RIGHT THROUGH THE HANDS OF KELSI WILLIAMS.

ONE SECOND LEFT, WE'LL HAVE ONE MORE PLAY.

>> TRYING TO PLAY PITCH AND CATCH RIGHT THERE ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD.

NOW YOU WOULD THROW THIS BALL AS FAR AS WE CAN DOWN THE FIELD.

MAYBE THROWS IT BEHIND HER A LITTLE TOO MUCH FOR THE RECEIVER TO COME DOWN WITH IT.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS EMMA YATES GOT THE QUARTERBACK JOB TWO YEARS AGO WAS BECAUSE OF HER ARM STRENGTH.

LET'S SEE HOW FAR SHE CAN SEND IT HERE.

AND A COLLISION DOWN THE FIELD.

PASS INTERFERENCE.

BLAIR BRANNEN DRAWS THE PENALTY.

IT'S GOING TO GO AGAINST ALEX ODOM.

THE HALF CAN'T END ON A DEFENSIVE PENALTY.

>> Referee: PASS INTERFERENCE, DEFENSE.

TEN YARD PENALTY.

STILL THIRD DOWN.

>> GOT THOSE FEET TANGLED UP.

IT'S NOT A SPOT FOUL IN FLAG.

JUST 10 YARDS.

BUT THEY GET ANOTHER SHOT AT IT.

>> ALEX ODOM, A LITTLE EARLY IN THE CONTACT.

KIND OF PUSHES THE OPPONENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND BRINGS UP A TEN-YARD DEFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE.

>> IT'S 41 YARDS TO THE END ZONE.

OVER THE MIDDLE AND ODOM JUST DROPPED IT.

SHE'S PRANCING AROUND.

SHE HAD VISIONS OF A FIRSTHAND ENDING PICK SIX.

SHE'LL GET THE BREAKUP, AND SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HAS THE LEAD.

13-0.

20 MINUTES IN THE BOOKS.

SECOND-HALF ACTION IS COMING UP SOON.

FIRST, WE'LL HEAR FROM NIKKI WHO HAS OUR HALFTIME COVERAGE IN GAME ONE OF FLAG FOOTBALL.

STATE FINALS ON GPB.

♪♪ >>> HEY, THERE, WELCOME INTO OUR GPB HALFTIME SHOW PRESENTED BY REGIONS.

LIVE FROM OUR GPB STUDIOS RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTA.

YOU GUYS, IT IS DAY ONE, GAME ONE OF CROWNING STATE CHAMPIONS AND RIGHT NOW IT IS CURRENTLY HALFTIME OF OUR GAME ONE DIVISION I OF THE FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN PORTAL AND SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH IS CURRENTLY WINNING 13-0 AND TRYING TO MAKE HISTORY FOR THEIR SCHOOL AS NO OTHER FEMALE TEAM HAS WON A STATE TITLE AT SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET RIGHT TO IT.

WE HAVE A FULL DAY ON TAP FOR YOU.

A LOT OF GREAT GAMES COMING UP.

LET'S GET TO OUR GEORGIA'S EMC CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AND SCOREBOARD.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S GAMES.

NEXT UP, WE HAVE DIVISION II.

AND THEN AFTER THAT FOR DIVISION III, 7A.

AND ON TAP FOR YOU, WE HAVE THE SINGLE "A" GAME.

A REMATCH AND A LOT OF EYES THIS YEAR ON TRINITY SINCE THEY'RE BRINGING BACK SO MANY STARTERS.

TO FINISH THE GAME, TWO TEAMS VERY FAMILIAR WITH EACH OTHER.

IRWIN COUNTY HAS HAD THE LEG UP.

LET'S BRING IN JOHN NELSON.

WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW AT CENTER PARC STADIUM?

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> WELCOME BACK TO CENTER PARC.

IT IS HALFTIME AND IT'S THE FIRST GAME OF THREE.

YOU HAVE THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS THAT WE'RE CHASING AFTER THIS SEASON.

WE ONLY HAD TWO LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE NUMBERS OF TEAMS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, TEN SHUTOUTS ON THE YEAR AND THEY'VE RUN SHUTOUTS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE POSTSEASON.

WHAT YOU GOT NOW IS TAKING A SHOT EARLY AFTER GETTING A QUICK TURNOVER.

THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN THE STORY FROM MARCI COCHRAN AND SOUTHEAST BULLOCH THIS ENTIRE POSTSEASON.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR DEFENSE, TURNING IT INTO QUICK OPPORTUNITIES, AND THEN THEY'VE GOT 13 POINTS ON THE BOARD.

GREAT TO SEE PORTAL HERE REPRESENTING.

WE KNOW THAT BULLOCH COUNTY IS GOING TO GET A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER THIS GAME IS OVER.

BUT YOU'VE GOT EASTMAN IN TOWN, DODGE COUNTY COMING UP JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

THAT ONE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT ONE.

THEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COMING UP JUST AROUND THE CORNER, CAN HILL GROVE KNOCK OFF MARIETTA FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS YEAR?

HILL GROVE LOSING IN OVERTIME LAST SEASON.

THAT'S YOUR RUNDOWN.

WHAT'S THE STORY GOING ON THERE?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GRAB SOME COFFEE.

WE WANT YOU TO STAY WARM.

IF YOU'RE STAYING HOME RIGHT NOW AS WELL, THERE ARE MANY WAYS THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW THESE GAMES, YOU CAN WATCH OUR GAME LIVE RIGHT HERE ON GPB.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE GPB SPORTS APP.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

ALSO, IF YOU'RE UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA, ALWAYS, ALWAYS TAG US AT GPB SPORTS.

WE'RE CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW AT HALFTIME OF OUR DIVISION I GAME, PORTAL VERSE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, THE FLAG FOOTBALL.

BULLOCH IS CURRENTLY WINNING 13-0.

WE'VE GOT SO MUCH MORE ACTION COMING FOR YOU RIGHT UP.

WE'LL GET BACK TO WILEY AND DAVID IN A MINUTE.

STICK WITH US, DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

>>> THIS AWARD HONORS SCHOOLS THAT EXHIBIT SPORTSMANSHIP DURING COMPETITIVE EVENTS.

ONLY ONE SCHOOL IN EACH REGION WITHIN EACH CLASSIFICATION IS CHOSEN TO RECEIVE THIS ANNUAL REWARD.

THE GHSA TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION ALL ASPECTS OF SPORTSMANSHIP MAKING THE AWARD A ATTRIBUTE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> FOR US TO WIN THE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD IS A GREAT HONOR BECAUSE WE INSTILL IN OUR KIDS THREE CORE VALUES OF CHARACTER, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT.

THIS IS A WAY TO HONOR OUR STUDENT BODY AND COMMUNITY FOR EMBRACING THE CORE VALUES.

>> WE WORK SUPERHARD ON THE CLASSROOM, ON THE FIELD AND ON THE COURT.

IT'S COOL TO BE NOTICED FOR US DOING THE RIGHT THING.

>> IT'S NICE TO WIN SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

IT SHOWS WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

OUR TEACHERS ARE ALL AMAZING.

>> INTRODUCED IN 2006, THIS AWARD REINFORCES THE GHSA'S PHILOSOPHY THAT EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SHOULD ADHERE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES IT REPRESENTS.

>> WE'RE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH GHSA AND COUNTY SCHOOLS TO INVEST IN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES.

IT RECOGNIZES STUDENTS ATHLETES, FANS AND PARENTS FOR THEIR INTEGRITY, RESPECT AND HONESTY ON AND OFF THE COURT.

>> GEORGIA'S EMC'S IN THE 31 PARTICIPATING.

WE'RE PROUD TO SPONSOR THE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WAR EAGLES COMMUNITY.

>>> JUST MOMENTS AWAY FROM RESUMING THIS ONE, SECOND-HALF ACTION, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH WITH A 13-0 LEAD OVER THE PORTAL PANTHERS.

LIVE FROM CENTER PARC STADIUM, WE'RE HERE IN OUR MIDTOWN STUDIOS AT GPB.

I'M WILEY BALLARD JOINED BY DAVE REYNOLDS.

DAVE, IN THAT FIRST HALF, IT WAS A LOT OF SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THEY'RE UNDEFEATED.

THEIR DEFENSE HAS BEEN ONE OF THEIR DEFINING ELEMENTS THIS YEAR AND THEY GOT THEM STARTED IN THAT FIRST HALF.

>> LIKE I MENTIONED IN THE OPENING, THEY'VE NOT GIVEN UP A POINT IN THE POSTSEASON SO FAR.

THEY'RE READY TO ROLL IN THE FIRST HALF.

>> THERE IS THAT DEFENSE, AINSLEIGH LITTLES, THIRD INTERCEPTION OF THE YEAR.

ON THE VERY NEXT PLAY, SHE TAKES A SHOT DEEP AND LOOK AT THIS CATCH.

HAULED IN BY DELANIE THAMES WITH THE TOUCHDOWN GRAB.

THEY GET THE POINT-AFTER TRY.

IT'S 7-0 SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

AND LITTLES THIS TIME USING HER LEGS ON THE PITCH INTO THE END ZONE FOR A TOUCHDOWN.

13-0, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

YELLOW JACKETS.

THERE ARE THE NUMBERS IN THE FIRST HALF.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FROM THOSE?

>> THE PANTHERS HAVE SCORED PLENTY OF POINTS THIS YEAR.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT EMMA YATES DECIDED TO DO THERE.

THAT DEFENSE BY SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, FLYING AROUND, THE INTERCEPTION FOR SURE.

BOTH TEAMS STALLED BOTH DRIVES.

WE'LL SEE HOW THEY RESPOND HERE.

>> MARCI COCHRAN TRYING TO GIVE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HIGH SCHOOL ITS FIRST EVER GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

HUGE OPPORTUNITY.

SHE WAS STAR PLAYER AT THE INTERMURAL LEVEL AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN, COMPETED IN A FEW NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

HER HUSBAND, NICK, WAS AN ALL-AMERICAN OFFICIAL WITH FLAG FOOTBALL AS WELL, DAVE.

HE'S HER ASSISTANT.

THEY MET PLAYING FLAG FOOTBALL AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN AND NOW THEY'RE 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM WINNING A STATE TITLE.

AND A BAD SNAP.

YOU GOT TO NOTE, APRIL BARNES, THESE ARE HER FIRST SNAPS AT THE CENTER POSITION AND A LITTLE MISCOMMUNICATION HERE.

ONCE THE BALL HITS THE GROUND, IT IS DEAD.

>> NO FUMBLES IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

THE PLAY IS OVER.

THE BALL IS DEAD RIGHT THERE.

A LITTLE MISCOMMUNICATION UP FRONT HERE ON WHO IS GOING WHERE, I BELIEVE, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, HAVING A NEW CENTER THERE IS A CRITICAL PIECE TO THE OFFENSE.

>> IT'S A LOSS ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE EIGHT YARD LINE.

INTERCEPTED AND HE'S RUNNING IT UP FIELD.

A GOOD PULL THAT TIME FROM EMMA YATES, THE QUARTERBACK.

ODOM WITH HER NINTH INTERCEPTION OF THE YEAR AND A 13-YARD RETURN.

>> FLYING AROUND BACK THERE ON DEFENSE.

SHUTTING DOWN ANY LONG PASS POTENTIAL.

ODOM DROPPED THE INTERCEPTION THE FIRST HALF.

SETS UP A REALLY NICE SHORT FIELD AGAIN.

>> I BEG YOUR PARDON, THAT WAS JOZIE MOTES WITH THE INTERCEPTION.

AINSLEIGH LITTLES IS 8 FOR 12.

107 YARDS PASSING IN THE FIRST HALF.

FIRST AND GOAL TO GO AT THE 17 YARD LINE.

AND I THINK THAT ABOUT SUMS UP AINSLEIGH LITTLES' REACTION NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.

SHE'S MUTED.

NOT MANY EXPRESSIONS, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.

SHE'S EVEN-KEELED.

THEY'RE GOING TO RULE THAT THE UP BACK WAS DOWN BEFORE THE PITCH.

>> GOOD JOB BY THE REFEREE, BLOWING THAT PLAY DEAD BEFORE THE BALL IS PITCHED TO THE EDGE.

>> PASS OVER THE MIDDLE TO MORGAN.

PICKS UP FIVE OR SIX.

BRINGS UP THIRD AND GOAL.

>> THE BREAD AND BUTTER BY THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, PLAYING PITCH AND CATCH.

TAKING WHAT THEY GIVE US.

SO RIGHT HERE, UP BY TWO SCORES ALREADY.

TIME IS TICKING.

JUST RUN THE BALL.

TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL.

DON'T FORCE ANYTHING.

>> THERE'S THE HEAD COACH FOR PORTAL HIGH SCHOOL, JAY REDDICK.

A LUNGING GRAB MADE BY ABIGAIL MORGAN.

GREAT CATCH.

>> GOOD EFFORT THERE TO GET ON THE GROUND, DIVING FOR THAT BALL THERE.

WE'VE BEEN CALLING ABIGAIL MORGAN'S NAME ALL DAY.

>> Referee: FOURTH AND PLAY.

>> FOURTH AND SHORT HERE FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS.

>> PA ANNOUNCER DOWN AT SOUTHEAST BULLOCH CALLS HER THE ALL-STATE GOOD HANDS.

LITTLES HAS TO WAIT ON IT.

GETS IT TO MORGAN.

BUT HER FLAG PULLED.

FIVE YARDS SHORT OF THE YARD LINE.

THAT WILL BE PORTAL FOOTBALL.

>> BAD SNAP TO START THE SECOND HALF AND THROWING THE INTERCEPTION.

REALLY NICE JOB THERE BY THE DEFENSE, INCLUDING THIS PULL RIGHT HERE.

WELL SHORT OF THE GOAL LINE.

GET THE BALL BACK TO EMMA YATES AND THE OFFENSE.

>> THAT WAS RILEY LAMB ON THE STOP.

SO IT WILL BE FIRST AND 15.

THAT PASS CAUGHT AROUND THE 17 -- BEG YOUR PARDON, SEVEN OR EIGHT YARD LINE.

BLAIR BRANNEN PULLING IT IN.

>> AGAIN, VERY SUCCESSFUL SO FAR, THE SHORT STUFF.

AGAIN, TIME IS GOING TO BE A VERY IMPACTFUL CONCERN FOR THE PANTHERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, ODOM IS SHUTTING THE PLAYS AROUND DOWNFIELD.

>> PASS COMPLETE TO KELSI WILLIAMS THAT TIME.

THAMES WITH THE STOP.

>> THIS IS REAL SIMPLE FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS.

BEING UP BY TWO SCORES.

SOMEBODY RUSHED THE QUARTERBACK.

EVERYBODY ELSE JUST -- PULL THE FLAG AND CATCH THE FOOTBALL.

MAINTAIN THE BIG PLAY HERE ON THIRD AND SHORT.

>> GOT TO GET TO THE 30 YARD LINE ON THE FIELD, THE 20 YARD LINE ON THE STAT SHEET, IF YOU WILL.

THIRD AND FIVE.

YATES.

TRIPLE COVERAGE.

INTERCEPTION.

THAT TIME, I BELIEVE, ADDIE HOOD, YES, ADDIE HOOD, PICKS IT OFF.

HER TEAM LEADING.

13th PICK OF THE YEAR.

>> FORCING THE BALL DOWN FIELD A LITTLE BIT.

THROWS THE PASS IN DOUBLE COVERAGE.

ADDIE HOOD JUST IN THE RIGHT SPOT AT THE RIGHT TIME.

SOMETIMES IT'S HOW IT HAPPENS.

THIRD INTERCEPTION OF THE GAME FOR EMMA YATES.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A FIRST DOWN.

GOOD RUSH.

KAYLEE HAAS.

>> PLAYING UNTIL THE WHISTLE'S BLOWN.

MISSES THE FLAG POOL.

KEEPS GOING UP THE FIELD.

KEEP PLAYING BALL UNTIL YOU HEAR THE WHISTLE.

IN FLAG FOOTBALL, ONCE YOU MAKE ONE PERSON MISS, LOOKOUT, WE'RE GETTING TEN MORE YARDS AT LEAST.

>> A STAR ON THE SOCCER FIELD FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THEY'RE INTO THE FINAL ZONE.

FIRST AND 19.

A LITTLE PITCH BACK.

INTO THE HANDS OF MORGAN, BRILLIANTLY EXECUTED BY SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM PING-PONGING THE BALL AROUND, DON'T THEY?

>> CORRECT, FIND THE OPEN PERSON.

PLENTY OF OPTIONS IN THE STYLE OF OFFENSE.

NICE JOB, ABIGAIL MORGAN, CONTINUING TO WORK DOWN THE FIELD, FINDING THE OPEN SPOT.

THEY'RE GOING TO RUSH LIKE THAT, SOMEBODY HAS TO BE OPEN.

NICE JOB OF PITCHING AND CATCHING RIGHT THERE.

NICE JOB.

>> EARLY IN THE SECOND HALF, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, A CHANCE TO MAKE THIS IS A THREE-SCORE GAME.

BALL AT THE 11.

PASS BACK.

LITTLES LOOKING TO REVERSE FIELD.

OVER THE MIDDLE AND BRANNEN THERE TO SWAT IT DOWN.

>> RUNNING OPPOSITE THE THROWING HAND THERE.

KEPT THAT BALL IN HER HANDS.

PICKED UP WHAT SHE COULD HAVE.

MAYBE A LITTLE EXCITEMENT THERE, GETTING THE BALL.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO THROW THE BALL FOR A TOUCHDOWN.

>> MOVES ON, GETS THE NEXT PLAY.

LITTLES 12 FOR 17 PASSING.

127 YARDS.

1,200 YARDS HERE IN 19 GAMES NOW.

AND THE PITCH AND DROPPED BY LITTLES.

THE FLAG WAS PULLED OR IT WILL BE DEAD ON THE DROP.

EITHER WAY, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOSS.

>> IN A GAME OF FLAG FOOTBALL, THE FACT THAT ON A FUMBLE, WHEN THE BALL HITS THE GROUND, THE PLAY IS OVER, VERY LOW RISK AND HIGH REWARD FOR PITCHING THE BALL.

SO RIGHT THERE, EVEN THOUGH THE -- NICE JOB SO FAR FOR THE PORTAL DEFENSE OF BENDING BUT NOT BREAKING IN THE SECOND HALF.

>> 16 YARDS TO THE END ZONE WHICH IS THE TEN YARD LINE.

LITTLES GOING BACK FOR IT ALL.

BACK IN THE END ZONE, CAUGHT!

WHAT A SNAG!

DELANIE THAMES, AGAIN!

HER SECOND TOUCHDOWN CATCH OF THE DAY.

A THREE-SCORE LEAD FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

>> NICE JOB HERE BY THE JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER.

BIG-TIME PLAYER.

SHE'S A DEEP THREAT.

GREAT HANDS, LIKE GLUE.

JUST RUNS RIGHT PAST THE OFFENSE THERE.

GETTING THE BALL UP AND LITTLES, THE JUNIOR QUARTERBACK, RIGHT THERE.

>> THE POINT AFTER TRY IS GOOD.

ALEX ODOM HAULS IT IN.

20-0, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

12 MINUTES TO PLAY.

THE CLOCK CONTINUES TO WIND.

>> CLICKING ON ALL CYLINDERS ON THE OFFENSE.

GOES UP AND GETS THAT BALL.

I THINK WE'LL SEE HOW BEING ON DEFENSE A LITTLE BIT.

>> NOW PORTAL HAS TO GO.

REALISTICALLY, DAVE, HOW MANY MORE POSSESSIONS CAN THEY EXPECT ON THIS RUNNING CLOCK?

YATES HAS HER FLAG PULLED.

>> AGAIN, WITH THE RUNNING CLOCK, MAYBE ONE OR TWO MORE POSSESSIONS.

SO WE NEED TO TRY TO MOVE THE BALL QUICKLY DOWN THE FIELD, TRY TO HURRY UP QUICKLY.

STILL HAVE ALL THREE TIME-OUTS LEFT.

STILL HAVE SOME IDEAS HERE.

BUT GOT TO MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> SOUTHEAST BULLOCH IS 11 MINUTES AWAY FROM POSTING FIVE SHUTOUTS IN THE PLAYOFFS IN 11 DAYS.

YATES WAS LOOKING FOR RILEY LAMB.

THIRD AND SHORT.

RIGHT HERE, IT'S ABOUT PICKING UP THOSE TWO YARDS, MOVING THE CHAINS AND GETTING TO THE NEXT ZONE.

>> THE RUSHERS SUPPLYING THE PRESSURE AND MAKING PASSER A LITTLE QUICKER THAN THE PLAY HAS DEVELOPED.

>> LEFT SIDE.

AND THE SIDELINE.

WILLIAMS PICKS UP THE FIRST DOWN.

NICE JOB GETTING INTO THE FIRST ZONE.

PORTAL, THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HERE IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

A LOT TO BE PROUD OF.

FOR COACH REDDICK, HE MADE THE POINT THAT GETTING HERE IN YEAR TWO IS ALMOST DOUBLY HARD COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS A YEAR AGO.

THE THROW IN AND OUT OF THE HANDS OF LAMB.

HE SAID, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A LEG UP.

WE HAD A TEAM WHICH MANY TEAMS DIDN'T FIELD TEAMS LAST YEAR DUE TO COVID.

SECOND, I PLAYED FLAG FOOTBALL THROUGHOUT 15 YEARS AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN, INTERMURALS.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY HE WAS IN COLLEGE FOR 15 YEARS.

FLAG FOOTBALL ELIGIBILITY, YOU CAN PLAY AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE SCHOOL.

HE WORKED FOR GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> IF HE WAS IN COLLEGE FOR 15 YEARS, I THINK THE COACH SCHOLARSHIP WOULD HAVE RUN OUT BY THEN.

>> PASS INCOMPLETE.

TO GET BACK THIS YEAR WITH THE GROUP THAT LOST THEIR STAR PLAYER, BRIANNA MILTON GRADUATED AND MOVED ON.

A DOUBLY COMPETITIVE SPORT WITH THE GROWTH OF TEAMS.

REALLY NOTHING TO HANG YOUR HEAD ABOUT FOR PORTAL.

JUST TRYING TO GET IN THE END ZONE HERE AND KEEP THIS GOING.

THEY GOT TO GET TO MIDFIELD.

THE SHORT PASS TO REILLY LAMB.

SHE'S BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE.

SIDELINE TO SIDELINE.

SHE CAN PROTECT EVERYTHING.

>> MOVED THE BALL HERE A LITTLE BIT ON THIS DRIVE.

SPREAD OUT THE OFFENSE A LITTLE BIT.

A QUICK PASS THERE.

NOT ENOUGH TO GET THE FIRST DOWN.

>> AND CANDIDLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO ENVISION A WAY FOR PORTAL COMING BACK IN THIS WITHOUT PICKING UP NINE YARDS HERE.

THEY GOT TO GET THIS FIRST DOWN.

MIDFIELD IS THE LINE TO GAIN.

GOT A BUNCHED UP GROUP.

OVER THE MIDDLE, WIDE OPEN AND CAUGHT, AND ALL THE WAY, LESS THAN TEN YARDS AWAY.

BOY, TALK ABOUT A CLUTCH THROW.

35-YARD CONNECTION FROM YATES TO BRANNEN.

>> JUST THE TIME WHEN YOU NEED IT RIGHT THERE.

THE JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER GETS THE BALL IN HER HANDS, GETS UP FIELD.

AGAIN, GOOD SUCCESS RIGHT THERE ON THE PLAY.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO GO AND GO.

WE GOT A LONG WAYS FOR THE PORTAL OFFENSE TO CLIMB BACK INTO THIS THING.

>> TEN YARD LINE ON THIS TACKLE FIELD IS THE END ZONE.

FIRST AND GOAL TO GO FROM THE 15.

LAMB COULDN'T HOLD ON TO IT.

>> RILEY LAMB MAYBE LOOKING UP FIELD PRIOR TO CATCHING THE BALL.

GOT TO CATCH THE BALL FIRST AND THEN GET UP THE FIELD THERE.

AGAIN, SPREADING THE OFFENSE OUT A LITTLE BIT.

HELPS SLOW DOWN THE RUSHES UP FRONT FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH ON THIS PARTICULAR DRIVE.

>> EMMA YATES THE QUARTERBACK.

SECOND YEAR AS A STARTER.

COMPLETES IT TO WILLIAMS.

TRIES TO SPLIT THE DEFENSE AND THE PULL MADE BY AINSLEIGH LITTLES JUST INSIDE THE TEN, IF YOU WILL.

>> AGAIN, GET THE BALL ON THE PERIMETER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

PLAYING PITCH AND CATCH.

CATCH THE FOOTBALL FIRST AND GET UP FIELD.

NICE JOB OF CUTTING THE DISTANCE IN HALF RIGHT THERE.

BRING UP THIRD DOWN.

>> THIRD AND GOAL TO GO.

THEY GOT TO BREAK THE PLANE OF THE TEN YARD LINE.

PORTAL TRYING TO STAGE A BIG COMEBACK LATE.

YATES OVER THE MIDDLE.

INTERCEPTED IN THE END ZONE!

RACING DOWN THE FIELD.

DELANIE THAMES HAS BEEN EVERYWHERE TODAY!

TWO TOUCHDOWN CATCHES IN THE END ZONE AND THAT TIME AN INTERCEPTION.

IT IS SOUTHEAST BULLOCH LEADING 20-0 WITH THE FOOTBALL.

LESS THAN 6:00 AWAY FROM A STATE TITLE.

>>> SOUTHEAST BULLOCH CAN FEEL IT.

JUST OVER SIX MINUTES AWAY FROM A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

20-0.

THIS MIGHT BE THE PLAY THAT SEALED IT.

THAMES.

HER FIFTH OF THE YEAR.

>> SOUTHEAST TRYING TO TAKE A SHOT HERE -- EXCUSE ME, PORTAL TRYING TO TAKE A SHOT HERE.

HAS NOT HAD A WHOLE LOT OF SUCCESS HERE TODAY.

THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT SPOT THERE.

GETTING UP FIELD.

BEND DON'T BREAK CONTINUES TO BE THE YELLOW JACKETS THEME ON DEFENSE.

>> AND THE FIRST PASS INTENDED FROM AINSLEIGH LITTLES TO HER SISTER, ADDIE HOOD.

20-0.

FOUR INTERCEPTIONS AND I THINK YOU'RE LOOKING AT OUR PLAYER OF THE GAME THUS FAR, DELANIE THAMES WITH TWO TOUCHDOWN CATCHES AND AN INTERCEPTION.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE INTERCEPTION MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE EASIEST CATCH SHE'S HAD TODAY.

THE TWO TOUCHDOWN CATCHES WERE BRILLIANT GRABS WITH THE FINGERTIPS.

REALLY NICE HANDS.

>> MIGHT NEED TO CHECK THE GLOVES.

>> SNAPS TO THE UP BACK AND NOWHERE TO GO THAT TIME.

>> DON'T WANT TO FORCE ANYTHING HERE.

SO WHATEVER WE CAN TAKE, WE'LL TAKE.

NOBODY TO PITCH THE BALL TO.

STAND THERE, GET THE FLAG PULLED AND, AGAIN, CLOCK CONTINUES TO MELT DOWN HERE.

>> AND THE CLOCK WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE ONE-MINUTE WARNING.

IF THIS IS A THREE-SCORE GAME, 19 POINTS OR MORE AT THAT MARK, THAT WILL BE IT.

THEY WILL CALL THE GAME AT THAT POINT.

TOSS AHEAD TO LITTLES.

A COUPLE OF YARDS.

>> YEAH, SO, AT THE ONE-MINUTE MARK, IF WE GET A 19-POINT SPREAD, IT WILL BE A SPORTSMANSHIP RULE IN EFFECT HERE.

PITCH IT TO THE RUNNING BACK, COME BACK TO THE QUARTERBACK THERE, LITTLES.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GO DOWN FIELD, NOT TRYING TO FORCE ANYTHING.

WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU MOMENTUM BACK.

BUT THAT DRIVE STALLS RIGHT THERE.

>> MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN ANYTHING, IT KILLS A SOLID TWO MINUTES OFF THE CLOCK AS PORTAL WAITS TO RECEIVE.

ALANA BARNARD.

SHE WILL BE THE PUNTER.

GOOD KICK.

IT WILL BE BRANNEN.

AND HER FLAG IS PULLED JUST INSIDE THE SIDELINE.

TRYING TO TURN UP FIELD.

PART OF THAT MERCY RULE, DAVE, IS JUST REALISTICALLY SPEAKING, THERE'S NO ON-SIDE KICK OPTION.

THERE'S NO WAY TO DOUBLE UP ON A POSSESSION.

THEREFORE, OVERCOMING A THREE-SCORE LEAD IS DARN NEAR CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TEAM LEADING ONCE THEY HAVE THE BALL, HIGHLY UNLIKELY THEY'LL ATTEMPT A PASS OR GIVE YOU A CHANCE FOR A TURNOVER.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE IDEA, YOU CAN GO FOR ONE, TWO OR THREE.

YOU COULD GET 18 POINTS AND TWO SCORES.

>> Referee: TIME-OUT PORTAL.

>> HERE WITH JUST OVER THREE MINUTES LEFT.

I THINK COACH REDDICK RECOGNIZING THAT THIS COULD BE THE FINAL POSSESSION FOR HIS TEAM AND FOR COACH REDDICK, HE IS RETIRING AFTER 30 YEARS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ONE LAST HUDDLE.

THE STORY OF THE GAME HAS BEEN THE TURNOVERS.

FOUR INTERCEPTIONS FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

FIRST IT WAS AINSLEIGH LITTLES.

THE NEXT, THE FIRST SERIES OF THE SECOND HALF, ALEX ODOM HAULING IT IN.

AND IT ONLY CONTINUED.

THAT TIME ADDIE HOOD, AND ON THE LAST ONE, PERHAPS THE GAME-SEALING ONE, DELANIE THAMES.

>> INCREDIBLE HANDS RIGHT THERE.

REALLY FUN TO WATCH.

>> WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE START OF THE GAME, HOW CRITICAL POSSESSIONS WERE.

YOU TALK ABOUT A TURNOVER BATTLE IN FLAG OR TACKLE FOOTBALL, THAT COULD BE THE STORY OF THE GAME.

WHEN YOU'RE MINUS FOUR -- OR I SHOULD SAY MINUS THREE, AS PORTAL DID HAVE AN INTERCEPTION ON THEIR OWN, IT'S HARD TO OVERCOME.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE OURSELVES A THREE-SCORE GAME RIGHT NOW.

>> AND THEY'VE IMPOSED THEIR WILL ON THE PORTAL PANTHERS TODAY.

>> YATES FLUTTERS IT DOWN THE FIELD.

IN AND OUT OF THE HANDS OF JOZIE MOTES.

COULDN'T QUITE PULL IT IN.

THIRD DOWN AND LONG.

>> NICE PRESSURE UP FRONT, AGAIN, TO FORCE THE ISSUE FOR EMMA YATES.

DOUBLE COVERAGE DOWN FIELD.

VERY CHALLENGING.

ONE OF THOSE 50/50 BALLS.

VERY CHALLENGING TO COMPLETE.

>> YATES JUST 14 FOR 33 AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH SOUTHEAST BULLOCH'S DEFENSE.

THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF BALL HOGS DOWN THERE.

THAT ONE SAILS INCOMPLETE.

THIS WILL BRING DOWN FOURTH AND WAY LONG.

>> NOBODY HOME ON THAT PASS.

WOULD HAVE LIKED TO CUT THE DISTANCE DOWN RIGHT THERE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE MANAGEABLE ON A FOURTH DOWN.

CHALLENGING PLAY CALL HERE FOR COACH REDDICK.

I'M NOT SURE HE'S GOT A FOURTH AND 18 PLAY.

THE PANTHERS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING ALL YEAR LONG.

A LOT OF ADVERSITY.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> BACK-TO-BACK STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES FOR PORTAL, BUT ON THAT SOUTHEAST BULLOCH SIDELINE, THEY CAN FEEL IT.

OVER THE MIDDLE AND INCOMPLETE.

KNOCKED DOWN BY ALANA BARNARD.

SHE WAS TRYING TO GET IN ON THE INTERCEPTION PARTY AND KIND OF BATTING HER EYES SAYING, I THOUGHT I HAD THAT ONE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH GETS THE BALL BACK AND THEY'RE 20 SECONDS AWAY FROM BEING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF FLAG FOOTBALL, THEY GO 19-0.

THEY DO NOT SURRENDER A SINGLE POINT IN THEIR FIVE PLAYOFF VICTORIES AND WE HIT THE ONE-MINUTE WARNING.

THAT IS THE GAME.

20-0, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

>> DOMINATING FASHION RIGHT THERE.

THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH DEFENSE.

>> THE YELLOW JACKETS MERCY RULE THE PORTAL PANTHERS, 20-0.

THERE'S SOME CONFUSION, IS THIS IS IT?

CELEBRATION SEEMS SOMEWHAT SUBDUED RIGHT NOW IN THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HUDDLE.

AND THERE IT IS!

THEY WEREN'T SURE.

AND THEY HAD FINALLY GOTTEN THE SIGNAL.

THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY, WINS A GIRLS STATE TITLE, IT'S IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

CLASS A THROUGH 4A, YOUR STATE CHAMPION.

>> START THE PEP RALLY AT THE SCHOOL.

TIME TO CELEBRATE DOWN THERE IN SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

>> REALLY FOR BOTH OF THESE TEAMS, BUT ESPECIALLY SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, THE LAST 11 DAYS THEY HAVE WON FIVE FLAG FOOTBALL GAMES AND THIS WEEK ALONE, THEY DROVE TO ATLANTA ON MONDAY, WHICH IS A LITTLE OVER A THREE-HOUR DRIVE, 215 MILES AWAY.

DID NOT PLAY ON MONDAY DUE TO WEATHER.

THE GAME WAS CANCELED.

THE SEMIFINAL GAME WAS CANCELED.

THEY WENT THE NEXT DAY AFTER DRIVING HOME, WON IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT ON THE ROAD.

13-0 AGAINST CAVALRY DAY AND THEN TWO DAYS LATER, THEY'RE BACK UP HERE IN ATLANTA.

ANOTHER 3 1/2-HOUR DRIVE.

FOUR INTERCEPTIONS.

A 20-0 WIN HERE IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

FROM MARCI COCHRAN AND NICK COCHRAN, THEY MET AT STUDENTS AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN IN THE EARLY 2000s, GOT MARRIED JUST AFTER THEY GRADUATED AND THEY HAVE NOW WON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SOUTHEAST BULLOCH'S FIRST YEAR OF FLAG FOOTBALL.

GETTING THEIR PICTURES TAKEN AT MIDFIELD.

19-0.

THEY DEFEAT PORTAL TWICE THIS SEASON.

14-0.

AGAIN, 20-0 HERE TODAY.

AND HOW ABOUT IT, JOHN NELSON APPEARS TO BE READY FOR THE TROPHY PRESENTATION.

>> IT IS THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HERE ON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND HERE AT CENTER PARC.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY FROM PORTAL AND THE LADY PANTHERS.

ANOTHER GREAT APPEARANCE.

SHOUT-OUT TO PORTAL AND EVERYBODY IN THAT SECTION OF BULLOCH COUNTY.

BUT IT'S TIME TO PRESENT THE FIRST TROPHY OF THE WEEKEND.

>> HOW ABOUT THOSE JACKETS?

CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES, YOU STARTED US OFF IN FINE FASHION.

IT'S OUR PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.

>> COACH COCHRAN, COME ON IN HERE.

TRACK AND FIELD, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WAS BACK 20 YEARS AGO, 2003, 2001, THERE WAS SOME GIRL'S TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS TWO DECADES AGO.

FOR A PROGRAM THAT STARTED THIS CALENDAR YEAR, YOU ARE NOW A STATE CHAMP.

HOW DOES IT FEEL?

>> IT'S AWESOME.

IT'S A GREAT FEELING.

>> YOU'VE BEEN BALL HAWKISH ON DEFENSE ALL YEAR.

I THINK IT WAS TEN SHUTOUTS COMING INTO THIS GAME.

YOU DID IT AGAIN, FOUR INTERCEPTIONS.

IT SEEMS TO BE THE HALLMARK OF WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS SEASON.

>> YEAH, OUR DEFENSE IS UNBELIEVABLE.

WE RUN THE BALL AND WE WANT THE BALL.

>> ON OFFENSE, YOU TURN IT AROUND BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEFENSE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO.

YOU SCORE.

YOU PUT UP GREAT NUMBERS OFFENSIVELY AS WELL WITH THIS GROUP.

>> THEY'RE GREAT ATHLETES.

>> SO WHAT'S THE RIDE GOING TO BE BACK TO SEB AND BROOKLYN?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN ONE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, STATE CHAMPS, FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WEEKEND.

WILEY BALLARD, SEND US HOME.

>> THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

STATE CHAMPIONS, 20-0.

THEY DEFEAT PORTAL IN THE STATE FINAL.

A COUPLE OF BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS GETTING TO START IT OFF HERE ON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK.

AGAIN, THE STORY OF THE DAY, DAVE, WAS REALLY THE DEFENSE FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THEY WERE ROCK SOLID FROM THE START OF THIS POSTSEASON AND THEY FINISH IT WITH YET ANOTHER SHUTOUT.

WE WELCOME YOU BACK INSIDE OUR MIDTOWN GPB STUDIOS.

WILEY BALLARD JOINED BY DAVE REYNOLDS.

A LOT OF HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ONE.

MANY OF THEM BELONG TO SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

>> STINGY DEFENSE FOR THE SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

ZERO POINTS FOR THE ENTIRE FIVE ROUNDS FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT FROM A DEFENSE.

BEND, DON'T BREAK.

>> IT WAS THE FIRST OF FOUR INTERCEPTIONS ON THE DAY, AINSLEIGH LITTLES, THE QUARTERBACK, THEN ON THE NEXT PLAY, SHE GOES DEEP TO THE END ZONE AND A TOUCHDOWN CATCH FROM DELANIE THAMES.

LAYING OUT AND HAULING IT IN FOR SIX.

THEY GOT THE POINT-AFTER TRY, MAKING IT 7-0, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THEN AGAIN WITH THE BALL, THIS TIME IT'S A PITCH BACK INTO THE HANDS OF AINSLEIGH LITTLES FROM KORINE TALKINGTON.

IT'S 13-0, SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

THAT WAS OUR SCORE AT THE HALF.

A LITTLE PASS OVER THE MIDDLE.

ABIGAIL MORGAN PULLS IT IN.

SHE WAS ROCK SOLID AT THE CENTER RECEIVING SPOT.

AND LITTLES THIS TIME TO THE END ZONE.

SHE FINDS DELANIE THAMES.

SECOND SCORE OF THE DAY.

SHE'S GOT SOME HANDS, DAVE.

>> THAT'S AWESOME.

ALL GAS, NO BRAKES.

LOVED THE INTENSITY AND EXCITEMENT.

>> THEY DID NOT WANT TO CELEBRATE THAT THEY WERE SURE THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PLAY THAT FINAL MINUTE.

AS A RUN RULE VICTORY, IF YOU WILL, 20-0.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH DEFEATS PORTAL HIGH SCHOOL.

WILEY BALLARD AND DAVE REYNOLDS.

DAVE, A SUCCESSFUL WAY TO BEGIN A FULL DAY OF FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WE'VE GOT TWO MORE GAMES AFTER THIS.

BUT, AGAIN, THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE SCHOOL THAT DIDN'T HAVE FLAG FOOTBALL 12 MONTHS AGO.

NOW THEY'RE WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> FOR PORTAL, THIS IS THEIR SECOND YEAR PLAYING FLAG FOOTBALL.

AGAIN, SMALL COMMUNITY.

AMAZING TO SEE WHAT THE PANTHERS HAVE DONE IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS FOR THEM.

FOR SOUTHEAST, COMING IN LIVE HERE, ROCKING AND ROLLING HERE FOR THE FIRST YEAR, HATS OFF TO THE TWO COACHES THERE FOR GETTING THE ATHLETES IN THE RIGHT SPOT AND LETTING THEM PLAY FOOTBALL.

REALLY EXCITING TO SEE.

YOU CAN SEE, IF YOU'RE NEW TO THE SPORT OF FLAG FOOTBALL, MAN, THIS THING IS ACTION-PACKED.

BALLS GOING EVERY DIRECTION, GIRLS FLYING AROUND, LAYING OUT FOR THEIR TEAM, PULLING FLAGS, WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK.

>> OUR FIRST MATCHUP FEATURED TWO SCHOOLS FROM BULLOCH COUNTY.

OUR NEXT MATCHUP FEATURES ONE SCHOOL FROM A LITTLE WEST OF ATLANTA IN LITHIA SPRINGS AGAINST DODGE COUNTY.

AND THEN HILLGROVE AND MARIETTA.

FROM ALL OF US, SO LONG, WE HAVE ONE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE BOOKS.

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH WINS IT, CLASS A THROUGH 4A FLAG FOOTBALL DEFEATING PORTAL 20-0.

YOU SAW IT RIGHT HERE ON GPB.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME INTO OUR GPB TAILGATE PARTY.

I'M LIVE FROM STUDIO J AT OUR GPB STUDIOS IN ATLANTA.

THIS IS ALL THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY.

BUCKLE UP, GEORGIA.

WE JUST WITNESSED A WONDERFUL GAME OF DIVISION I, THE LADIES FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN PORTAL, BULLOCH.

BULLOCH WON 20-0.

THEY REMAIN UNDEFEATED.

WE'RE ONE GAME DOWN, FOUR MORE TO GO AND THAT'S JUST FOR TODAY.

WE'VE GOT A JACK-PACKED WEEKEND SLATE OF CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S TO COME ON OUR GEORGIA EMC SCHEDULE AND SCOREBOARD.

EMC, SO MUCH MORE THAN ELECTRICITY.

OUR NEXT GAME WE GOT IS DIVISION II, IT'S LITHIA SPRINGS VERSUS DODGE.

AND THEN COMING UP WE'VE GOT THE SINGLE "A" PRIVATE GAME, TRINITY VERSE PRINCE AVENUE.

THIS IS A REMATCH.

A LOT OF EYES ARE GOING TO BE ON THIS GAME.

FOLLOWED BY THE SINGLE "A" PUBLIC GAME OF IRWIN COUNTY VERSUS BROOKS.

IRWIN IS ONE OF FIVE SCHOOLS IN HISTORY TO REACH THE STATE FINALS FIVE STRAIGHT TIMES IN A ROW.

NOW LET'S GO AHEAD AND LOOK AT TOMORROW'S GAMES.

WE'RE GOING TO KICK THAT OFF AT NOON WITH THE 2A FINAL OF FITZGERALD VERSE THOMASVILLE AND CARVER COLUMBUS.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND FINISH THE EVENING WITH YOUR 6A MATCHUP BETWEEN HUGHES AND BUFORD.

BUFORD HAS WON 12 TITLES SINCE 2001.

HUGHES IS LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST ONE.

WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP OUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SATURDAY WITH THREE MORE GAMES, KICKING OFF AT NOON.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE 3A TITLE GAME, CEDAR GROVE VERSE CARVER ATLANTA.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE 5A FINAL.

WARNER ROBINS HAS REACHED THE STATE TITLE GAME FIVE GAMES IN A ROW.

WE'RE GOING TO WRAP THE THREE-DAY CHAMPIONSHIP BONANZA, ONCE WE CONCLUDE WITH THE 7A TITLE GAME, MILTON VERSUS COLLINS HILL.

COLLINS HILL HAS HAD SIX SHUTOUTS THIS SEASON.

THAT IS ALL TO COME THIS WEEKEND.

I HOPE YOU GUYS STICK WITH US AND I HOPE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME COFFEE, SOME SNACKS, A REALLY COMFY COUCH WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING TO BE JOINING US FROM.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

SPEAKING OF JOINING US, OUR OWN JOHN NELSON IS AT CENTER PARC STADIUM.

HE IS WEATHERING THE ELEMENTS, IF YOU WILL.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND SEND IT TO OUR JOHN NELSON.

>> IT IS -- IT'S FUN, YOU KNOW.

AND I COULD DO THE DANCING, NIKKI, I MOST CERTAINLY WOULD WHEN IT COMES TO EVERYTHING.

OF COURSE, THE MUSIC STOPS.

IT'S BEEN FUN TO GET THIS FIRST INTERVIEW READY FOR US AND GET THIS WHOLE GAME UNDER WAY AND GET THE WEEKEND GOING AND LET ME FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE WEEKEND HAS BEEN THE CROWNING GLORY OF THE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

COMING UP, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND HEAR ABOUT THEIR MISSION STATEMENT.

THEY'VE BEEN PROUD SUPPORTERS OF EVERYTHING GPB THIS WEEKEND.

YOU SAW TWO TOWNS FROM BULLOCH COUNTY CHASING AFTER A CHAMPIONSHIP.

IT'S A REALLY INTERESTING TIME WITH ONE GAME DOWN, TWO TO GO IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

ONE MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

ALL THAT STUFF COMING UP IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

PLUS, LET'S BRING IN OUR GUEST.

AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANKS FOR BEING A GREAT PARTNER FOR, GEORGIA, PUBLIC BROADCASTING ALL SEASON LONG.

MY FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU, THE MISSION OF THE AGENCY, A LOT OF FOLKS SEE THAT CREST ON YOUR JACKET AND THEY WONDER WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY IS.

WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW.

>> THANK YOU, FIRST, FOR HAVING US.

AND THANK YOU TO GPB.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY, WE'RE THE AGENCY THAT PROVIDES EDUCATION TO THE MOTORING PUBLIC HERE IN GEORGIA AND WE ALSO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO HELP SAVE LIVES ON THE HIGHWAYS.

>> WHY IS -- THIS SOUNDS LIKE, YOU KNOW, A QUESTION THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE ASKED, BUT IT DOES.

EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO BUCKLE UP BEFORE EVERY TRIP?

>> BECAUSE DATA SHOWS THAT OVER HALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE KILLED ON THE GEORGIA HIGHWAYS IN VEHICLES, THEIR LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED IF THEY WERE BUCKLED UP, WEARING A SEAT BELT.

>> LAST QUESTION FOR YOU.

WITH THE HOLIDAYS APPROACHING, GIVE ME IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR THOSE TRAVELING ON THE ROADS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA?

>> I WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE TO LEAVE A LITTLE BIT EARLIER TO ALLOW A LITTLE MORE TIME BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT MORE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

MAKE SURE YOU BUCKLE UP, NEVER DRIVE IF YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING AND SO WE WISH EVERYBODY A SAFE AND HAPPY 2022.

>> ONE QUESTION BEFORE WE SEND IT BACK TO NIKKI.

I KNOW YOU'RE A PROUD PLAYER.

YOU WON A REGION CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR, MADE IT INTO THE PLAYOFFS.

OBVIOUSLY, A PROUD THING FOR YOU BEING AN ALUM.

>> YES, SIR, LISTEN, I AM SO PROUD.

WE STILL HOLD THE HONOR OF HAVING COMPLETE SHUTOUTS DURING MY SEASON AND THAT WAS 50 YEARS AGO.

>> SEE.

I KNEW IF I INTRODUCED THE FOOTBALL QUESTION, NIKKI, THAT HE WOULD KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM THERE AT HARLSON COUNTY.

THANKS FOR HANGING OUT WITH US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> SENDING IT BACK TO THE STUDIO.

>> THANKS, JOHN.

I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO GET A FOOTBALL QUESTION IN THERE SOMEWHERE.

THOSE WERE ALL WONDERFUL TIPS AS WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT YOU'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON WHILE YOU TRAVEL.

THANKS SO MUCH TO ALAN AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY.

REMINDER TO BUCKLE UP, GEORGIA.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE STUFF COMING UP FOR YOU RIGHT HERE ON GPB.

STICK WITH US.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO OUR GPB TAILGATE PARTY PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY.

BUCKLE UP, GEORGIA.

WE HAVE ONE GAME DOWN, FOUR MORE TO GO.

THIS IS JUST DAY ONE, EVERYONE.

I HOPE YOU GET VERY COMFORTABLE.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BRING OUR FRIEND JOHN NELSON IN.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF BRACKETOLOGY.

WE'RE GOING TO CALL THIS FLAGTOLOGY.

LET'S BREAK DOWN THE FIRST GAME THAT WE SAW.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE BRACKET FROM SINGLE TO QUAD, AND YOU GO TO THIS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, WE TALKED TO COACH COCHRAN ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOUTHEAST BULLOCH.

YOU SAW A LOT OF ZEROS.

NO POINTS GIVEN UP TO CAVALRY DAY BEFORE TODAY.

YOU SHUT OUT COLUMBUS.

YOU GO BACKWARD AGAIN AND SHUTOUT JENKINS.

AND YOU LOOK AT THE OFFENSIVE NUMBERS THAT WE SAW FROM THEM AS WELL, 44 AGAINST JENKINS, 20, 13, 12 AND WHAT YOU HAD TODAY WITH 20.

THAT GOT THEM TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR.

LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE BRACKET, ONCE AGAIN, YOU GOT TO GIVE PORTAL A LOT OF CREDIT AND WE WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO COACH REDDICK IN HIS LAST SEASON AS A COACH, MAKING IT ONCE AGAIN, ONE OF THE TOUGHER ROADS TO GET TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

YOU SEE WHAT PORTAL GOING INTO OVERTIME AT 12-6.

WORKING THEIR WAY OUT OF THE UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER.

13-6, 19-0 OVER HARRIS COUNTY AND A BIG WIN OVER ST. VINCENT.

YOU SAW TWO TEAMS COMING AT IT FROM DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR.

GREAT PHILOSOPHIES FROM BOTH.

BUT THAT DEFENSE FROM WHAT WE SAW FROM SOUTHEAST BULLOCH AND EVERYBODY FROM BROOKLYN REALLY CLAMPED DOWN.

WE SAW IT AGAIN TODAY WITH FOUR PICKS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

A FANTASTIC DISPLAY.

BATTLE OF BULLOCH, IF YOU WILL.

THIS WAS THEIR FIRST YEAR EVER HAVING A FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

THERE'S A LOT OF ZEROS.

YOU HAVE SHUTOUTS AND THEY'RE UNDEFEATED.

WHAT A YEAR.

>> I KNOW.

FOR A PROGRAM THAT STARTED BASICALLY IN MAY AND, YOU KNOW, WE -- IT WAS BROUGHT IN IN THE BROADCAST WITH WILEY WHERE THE COACH FOR SOUTHEAST BULLOCH, THEY TALKED TO JAY REDDICK OVER AT PORTAL ABOUT STARTING A PROGRAM.

YOU SEE JUST HOW THE FAMILY IS WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS SPECIFICALLY THERE IN BULLOCH COUNTY WITH HIS EXAMPLE.

GETTING ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO MADE IT TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR, STRONG STUFF.

YOU END UP WINNING.

YOU TAKE YOUR HAT OFF TO EVERYBODY THERE IN BROOKLYN AND SEB.

>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO DIVISION II.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

>> LET'S START WITH THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE.

DODGE COUNTY COMING IN WITH A RECORD OF 15-1.

CLINTON SANDERS, THIS IS TWO STEPS FURTHER THAN THEY CAME IN THE 2020 SEASON TO GET THIS PARTICULAR GAME.

THEY BEAT RIVERWOOD TO KEEP GOING BACKWARDS AND IT LOOKS LIKE DODGE COUNTY, COMFORTABLE SCORING, SCORING 14 AGAINST TRINITY CHRISTIAN AND THEN SHUTTING OUT LOCUST GROVE.

19-24, SHUTOUTS THERE, GETTING IN WITH THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE WITH YOUR DEFENSE CLAMPING DOWN, GETTING KEY MOMENTS TO GET YOU TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR.

ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, LITHIA SPRINGS AND KENDRA PLEASANT, THEY GOT HERE 6-2.

THEIRS WAS THE ONLY GAME THAT GOT PLAYED TO GET THEM TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR OVER AT THE HOME DEPOT BACKYARD BECAUSE OF ALL THE RAIN THAT WAS HAPPENING EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

YOU LOOK LOW LEFT, YOU END UP WITH 6-0 OVER GROVE TOWN.

IT LOOKS LIKE KENDRA PLEASANT'S TEAM, THEY'VE BEEN GETTING THROUGH A LOT OF GRINDERS.

I THINK THAT WILL SERVE THEM WELL, GETTING TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN THESE TIGHT GAMES COME THIS TIME.

>> LOVE IT.

JOHN, THE FLAG FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IS OBVIOUSLY NEW, BUT THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A NEW DIVISION, 7A HAS ITS OWN DIVISION.

AFTER THE DIVISION 2A-GAME, WE'RE GOING TO WITNESS DIVISION III.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT TWO TEAMS THAT WILL HAVE PLAYED EACH OTHER TODAY FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS SEASON.

THE TWO PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH HILLGROVE AND MARIETTA DURING THE REGULAR SEASON, 25-6 AND 26-20.

THAT ONE WAS AN IN OVERTIME.

LET'S GO THROUGH THE PATH FOR DANIEL.

THEY MADE IT HERE LAST YEAR, LOST IN OVERTIME.

COMING OUT OF THE UPPER LEFT, HILLGROVE BEATS ARCHER IN THE SEMIS.

THEY BEAT MILTON, 14-7 AND THEN THEY WIN 19-6 OVER RIVER RIDGE.

ONCE AGAIN, I THINK THAT A TEAM THAT IS BATTLE TESTED, THEY'VE WON GAMES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE OUT OF THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT MARIETTA.

MARIETTA, THEY GOT OFF TO A HOT START, CLAMPING DOWN ON BLESSED TRINITY.

TWO QUICK SCORES.

AND THEY HAD TWO SCORES UP, 14-0, WON 26-0 AT BLESSED TRINITY IN THE SEMI.

AND YOU GO BACKWARDS, BEATING MILL CREEK IN A GRINDER, 7-6, WOODSTOCK, 7-6.

TEAMS WINNING THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR.

IT SERVES BOTH OF THESE GROUPS WELL.

THE KEY -- YOU KNOW THIS IN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND PRO FOOTBALL, IT'S HARD TO BEAT A TEAM THREE TIMES IN A YEAR.

CAN THAT HAPPEN THE THIRD TIME?

HILLGROVE KNOCKING OFF MARIETTA WHEN WE GET TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

>> MAYBE TODAY IS MARIETTA'S DAY.

WE'LL SEE.

THANK YOU FOR WALKING US THROUGH THAT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK, WE'RE GOING TO BREAK DOWN SOME MORE OF THE GAMES THAT ARE COMING UP AND WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE MORE STUFF FOR YOU.

DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

STICK WITH US, WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO OUR GPB TAILGATE PARTY.

THIS IS ALL PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY, BUCKLE UP, GEORGIA.

WE'RE IN BETWEEN DIVISION I AND DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES FOR FLAG FOOTBALL.

BEFORE WE GET MOVING ALONG TO THE DIVISION II GAME, LET'S BRING BACK IN JOHN NELSON.

WE WENT THROUGH THE FLAGTOLOGY, IF YOU WILL, BUT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST DIFFICULT OPPONENT THAT YOU FACE THIS WEEKEND, THAT'S GOING TO BE THE WEATHER, JOHN.

WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO STAY DRY?

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST WEATHER DAY OF THE THREE, CLOUD COVER SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, AND I FEEL LIKE I NEED EITHER AN AMS OR NWA SEAL UNDERNEATH ME AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS STUFF.

I'M NOT A SANCTIONED METROLOGIST, BUT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE 50s FOR TODAY.

AS YOU SEE HOW THINGS ARE HERE AT CENTER PARC, GRAY SKIES.

DRIFTING FROM SUN TO SHADE, SUN TO SHADE, GRAY IS GREAT FOR THEM.

GREAT FOR US TO GIVE YOU THE PICTURES.

BUT TOMORROW IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND AS I WAS LOOKING AT THE FORECAST THIS MORNING BEFORE I CAME HERE TO CENTER PARC STADIUM, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY GIVE YOU THE PERCENTAGES OF WHAT THE PRECIPITATION MODEL IS SUPPOSED TO BE, I SAW 96% CHANCE OF RAIN, WEATHER IN THE 50s TO START.

I WOULD LIKE IT FOR ONCE IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WEATHER FORECAST, IF YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE 100%, JUST PUT DOWN THE WORD "YES."

RAIN, YES.

JUST SAY, YES.

PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WEATHER AS WE'RE GETTING THROUGH THE WEEK HERE AT CENTER PARC STADIUM BUT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST DAY OF THE THREE.

AND I HAVE -- LET'S SEE.

THREE DISPOSAL BLAZERS, TWO RAINCOATS.

I NEED TO BRING A TOWEL OR TWO TOMORROW.

I HAVE MY HAT.

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY I WILL BE PREPARED AND I HAVE BOOTS AND NOT DRESS SHOES WHEN THE WEATHER PICKS UP TOMORROW AND SATURDAY.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE GOT A GREAT PLAN, JOHN.

YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS WEEK WE WERE TALKING TO BROOKS COUNTY COACH FREEMAN AND HE SAID, I JUST WANT THE RAIN TO STOP AND LET'S PUT A DOME OVER IT.

WE WERE LIKE, COACH, WE MOVED PAST THAT, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I'M RIGHT THERE WITH MAURICE FREEMAN.

HE'S HAD TO BATTLE THINGS OTHER THAN MOTHER NATURE WHO IS UNDEFEATED.

HE'S HAD TO BATTLE FLORA AND FAUNA.

HE'S HAD MULTIPLE OPPONENTS THIS SEASON, NOT JUST MOTHER NATURE HERE.

>> RIGHT.

LET'S ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT THEIR OPPONENTS THIS EVENING.

DO YOU THINK THEIR TIRED OF PLAYING EACH OTHER YET?

WHO IS GOING TO COME OUT ON TOP THIS TIME?

>> WHAT'S THE OLD SAYING, IRON SHARPENS IRON.

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THEY WILL HAVE MET IN TWO SEASONS, AND THESE TWO, REMEMBER, MET IN THE REGION OPENER.

THAT WAS THE ONE THAT DETERMINED THAT IRWIN HAD THE INSIDE TRACK TO GETTING ALL OF THOSE HOME GAMES.

OBVIOUSLY COIN FLIPS WOULD DECIDE IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

BROOKS COUNTY, THEY CHALLENGED THEMSELVES OUTSIDE OF REGION PLAY TO GET READY FOR REGION PLAY.

A LOT OF FOLKS WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THEIR BRACKET, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND THEY WERE LIKE, YEAH, THIS COULD END UP BEING BROOKS COUNTY AND IRWIN COUNTY MEETING IN THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR.

THEY WERE RIGHT IN THIS CASE.

TWO OF THE BEST TEAMS ACROSS THE BOARD.

THEY WILL ALTERNATE IT BACK AND FORTH EARLY IN THE YEAR.

THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN TOP THREE, TOP FOUR IN THE CLASS ALL SEASON LONG.

SO NOT NECESSARILY A SURPRISE.

>> I'M GOING TO LET YOU FINISH MY SENTENCE BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK.

BROOKS COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO BRING THE WHAT?

>> HAMMER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> 20 POUND SLEDGE.

LET'S SEE IF IT MAKES IT RIGHT THERE AT THE 50 OR IF MAURICE HAS TO SLIDE IT A LITTLE BIT SO NO ONE TOUCHES IT.

>> I LOVE IT.

JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH AS ALWAYS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE COMING UP RIGHT HERE ON OUR GPB TAILGATE SHOW PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY, BUCKLE UP, GEORGIA.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK IN TO OUR GPB TAILGATE PARTY SHOW.

WE'RE IN BETWEEN THE DIVISION I AND DIVISION II OF OUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

BEFORE WE MOVE BACK TO KICKOFF A NEW GAME, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BRING IN OUR JOHN NELSON, AGAIN, JOHN, THIS IS JUST DAY ONE OF THREE DAYS' WORTH OF CROWNING STATE CHAMPIONS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF EXCITING GAMES COMING UP.

I WANT TO KNOW, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE CIRCLED OVER THE NEXT 72 HOURS FOR US.

WHICH ONE ARE YOU REALLY EXCITED TO WATCH.

>> LET ME SEE.

OF COURSE, WOULDN'T YOU KNOW, I LEAVE MY HIGHLIGHTERS AND PENS BACK UPSTAIRS.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS AND USE IT AS A STYLUS AND GO OVER THE WHOLE WEEKEND.

CHOICE "D", ALL OF THE ABOVE.

I CAN GIVE YOU A REASON EACH AND EVERY GAME HAS GREAT SUBPLOT AND SUBTEXT TO IT.

WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY, BROOKS AND IRWIN, TRINITY CHRISTIAN, PRINCE AVENUE, IT'S A FLIP-FLOP FROM LAST YEAR.

TWO, FOUR AND SIX TOMORROW, FITZGERALD CHASING AFTER THEIR FIRST TITLE.

THEY'RE REGION RIVALS.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT BENEDICT AND CHASING AFTER ANOTHER TITLE GOING UP AGAINST CARVER COLUMBUS.

6A, YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING THERE WITH THE 6A TITLE GAME AND YOU HAVE THE ODD NUMBERS ON SATURDAY.

FINISHING UP THE COLLINS HILL, NATIONALLY RANKED, TOP FIVE IN THE COUNTRY, GOING UP AGAINST MILTON WITH ONE OF THE STINGIEST DEFENSES.

JORDAN McDONALD, ONE OF THE GREAT RUNNING BACKS HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

HONESTLY, ACROSS THE BOARD, STARTING WITH THE GAME COMING UP JUST AROUND THE CORNER WITH DODGE AND LITHIA SPRINGS, THERE'S GREAT REASONS.

I'M GOING TO GO WITH CHOICE "D", ALL OF THE ABOVE.

>> OKAY.

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT CHEATING.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE HAVE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT ARE ENRICHED WITH HISTORY AND THAT'S, OF COURSE, SO MUCH FUN TO SEE.

ALSO, THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE TEAMS HERE THAT ARE CHASING AFTER THAT FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST PERENNIAL PROGRAMS.

STAY WARM AND DRY.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU IN THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE DAY.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE ALREADY WATCHING US LIVE RIGHT NOW MAYBE ON YOUR TELEVISION, ON GPB, THAT IS WONDERFUL, HOWEVER, IF YOU WANT TO TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS OTHER WAYS TO KEEP UP WITH US, WE HAVE THAT WONDERFUL GPB SPORTS APP.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON FACEBOOK.

WE'RE STREAMING THE GAMES LIVE THERE.

ALSO, YOU CAN GO TO GPB.ORG/SPORTS.

WATCH US THERE.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO CONNECT WITH US, COMMUNICATE WITH US AND TAG US AT GPB SPORTS.

WE HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY.

GET COMFORTABLE.

WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

WE'VE GOT THE DIVISION II GAME COMING RIGHT UP OF THE STATE FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

STAY WITH US.

♪♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO THE 2021 GHSA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE AT CENTER PARC ON THE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY FIELD WHERE THE PANTHERS GET TO PLAY DURING THEIR SEASON.

IT'S THE END OF THE SEASON, WE GET TO DETERMINE ALL THE CHAMPIONS HERE THIS WEEKEND.

ONE CHAMPION HAS BEEN DECIDED IN FLAG FOOTBALL.

WE'RE ABOUT TEN MINUTES AWAY FROM THE NEXT TO BE DECIDED.

IS IT GOING TO BE LITHIA SPRINGS, DODGE COUNTY?

THE SINGLE A CHAMPS WILL WRAP THINGS UP ON YOUR THURSDAY.

IT'S A BIG THURSDAY HERE ACROSS ALL THE PLATFORMS OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

YOU GOT THREE GAMES ON FRIDAY, THREE MORE ON SATURDAY.

WATCH US HOWEVER YOU WATCH US, TAKE US HOWEVER YOU WISH, LARGE DEVICE OR SMALL, ON THE WEB ON THE GO.

BE SAFE ABOUT IT.

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THE DIRECTOR TO SAY ANYTHING TO YOU AND HAVE HIM COME BACK HERE.

WHEN WE COME BACK, WILEY BALLARD WILL CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE OF FLAG FOOTBALL AS WE DETERMINE CHAMPION NUMBER TWO ON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND HERE AT CENTER PARK AND GEORGIA STATE.

GET LOCKED IN, GET YOUR SNACKS, GET ALL OF YOUR FOOD.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG DAY.

ENJOY IT RIGHT HERE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.