Football Fridays in Georgia
GHSA D3 Girls Flag Football Final: Hillgrove vs. Marietta
Season 2021 Episode 24 | 1h 14m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
GHSA D3 Girls Flag Football Final: Hillgrove vs. Marietta - Dec. 9, 2021
Senior Lauren Render had three interceptions and scored two touchdowns to lead Hillgrove to a 20-6 victory over Marietta in the Division 3 Flag football finals. Quarterback Lacey Carder rushed for over 100 yards and rushed for a score.
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Football Fridays in Georgia is a local public television program presented by GPB
Football Fridays in Georgia
GHSA D3 Girls Flag Football Final: Hillgrove vs. Marietta
Season 2021 Episode 24 | 1h 14m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Senior Lauren Render had three interceptions and scored two touchdowns to lead Hillgrove to a 20-6 victory over Marietta in the Division 3 Flag football finals. Quarterback Lacey Carder rushed for over 100 yards and rushed for a score.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> LET'S RUN IT BACK ONE MORE TIME.
THE FINAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
DIVISION III CLASS 7-A FEATURES A PAUR OF AREA RIVALS.
THE HILLGROVE HAWKS AND THE MARIETTA BLUE DEVILS MEETING FOR THE THIRD TIME.
HILLGROVE WINNING EACH OF THE FIRST TWO MEETINGS.
WELCOME INSIDE OUR GPB STUDIOS NEAR MIDTOWN ATLANTA.
WE'LL GET YOU BACK TO CENTER PARK STADIUM IN DOWNTOWN IN AMOMENT.
I'M JOINED ABOUT IT LEADING EXPERT DAUFD REYNOLDS.
THIS SPORT HAS GROWN SO MUCH IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS SINCE THEY FIRST GOT THE START.
IT'S NOW IN THE SECOND YEAR AS A SANCTIONED SPORT.
AND THE SECOND YEAR WE'LL CROWN STATE CHAMPIONS.
>> EXCITED TO SEE WHAT FLAG FOOTBALL HAS DONE FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
THE LAST YEAR WE HAD 91 SCHOOLS PLAY IN THE SANCTIONED SPORT.
THAT GREW 110% FOR THIS YEAR WHEN WE HAVE 189 SCHOOLS PLAYING IN FLAG FOOTBALL.
STILL PLENTY MORE GROWTH TO HAVE IN THE SPORT OF FLAG FOOTBALL IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
VERY EXCITED TO SEE AS YOU SAW IN OVERTIME THE LAST GAME, WE SAW BAND SHOW UP THE LAST GAME.
SO THIS SPORT IS GROWING EXCITEMENT AND THE ENERGY AND THE PASSION THESE FEMALES HAVE IS AMAZING.
>> WE CROWNED TWO STATE CHAMPIONS SO FAR.
SOUTHEAST WON DIFG ONE.
DODGE COUNTY WON DIVISION TWO.
AS WE GET SET FOR DIVISION THREE, OUR FINAL DAY, THERE IS A KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TACKLE FOOTBALL AND FLAG FOOTBALL.
SO LET'S GO OVER THE RULES OF FLAG FOOTBALL ONE MORE TIME.
>> A COUPLE THINGS WE'LL SEE.
FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD IS 80 YARDS LONG.
40 YARDS WIDE.
FIRST DOWN SCORED BY ZONE LINE.
WE'LL PLAY TWO 20 MINUTE HALVES THE FIRST 19 MINUTES.
WE GET UNDER ONE MINUTE AT THE HALF.
THEY WILL RUN SIMILAR TO HIGH SCHOOL TACKLE FOOTBALL.
CLOCK WILL STOP ON UNCOMPLETE PASS.
THE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO CATCH A FORWARD PASS.
LAST ONE, FLAG FOOTBALL IS NONCONTACT SPORT.
SOMETHING LIKE BASKETBALL.
PLAYERS CANNOT INITIATE CONTACT WITH THEIR OPPONENT.
YOU CAN HAVE SCREEN BLOCKING.
>> HILLGROVE WON EACH OF THE FIRST TWO MEETINGS IN THE REGULAR SEASON.
FIRST IT 25-6.
AND THE REGION ROUND ROB UNSCHEDULE.
FOR HILLGROVE, THE MATTER AT HAND IS TRYING TO WIN A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
THEY GOT HERE LAST YEAR AND LOST TO WEST IN DOUBLE OVERTIME.
A KEY MEMBER OF LAST YEAR'S TEAM IS BACK THIS SEASON.
AND SHE IS LIGHTING THE FLAG FOOTBALL WORLD IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA ON FUHR YET AGAIN.
THAT IS LAUREN RENDER.
SHE IS SOMETHING ELSE.
>> GET TO PICK HER NUMBER THIS YEAR.
LAUREN RENDER.
AREA TWO PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
COMPLETE DOMINANT FORCE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FOOTBALL.
BIG TIME TARGET THE FLIES AROUND AND THROUGH CORNER STONE OF THE HILLGROVE PROGRAM.
>> MEANWHILE, FROM MARIETTA, THEY'RE SIX MILES EAST OF HILLGROVE IN COBB COUNTY.
THEY'RE LOOKING TO GET THE HAWKS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AFTER LOSING THAT AREA CHAMPIONSHIP AND OVERTIME AT HEARTBREAKING FASHION.
HOW DO THEY SLOW DOWN LAUREN REPUBLICANER?
SIMPLE.
THEY JUST PUT IT ON THEIR OWN 22.
McKENNA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRYING TO CONTAIN RENDER AND DOCK THINGS IN THE OFFENSE YOU HAVE END AS WELL.
>> EXCITING HERE.
THE BATTLE IS NUMBER 22.
JUNIOR WUD RECEIVER.
TEN INTERCEPTIONS ON THE SEASON.
FIVE OF THEM RETURNED FOR A TOUCHDOWN.
THAT IS CRITICAL IN GAME OF FLAG FOOTBALL.
SHE IS A BALL HAWK WITH SPEED.
PROVIDES A DEEP THREAT.
BOTH WAYS.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOWE NUMBER 22 PLAY AGAINST NUMBER 22. .
>> HERE'S THE ROAD OF THE FINALS.
ALL THOSE GAMES HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD.
YOU MUTE ASK YOURSELF, IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT FOR A TEAM THAT IS THE TWO SEED.
BUT THEY HAVE PLAYED ON THE ROAD INCLUDING AT TRINITY ON TUESDAY NICE, AGAIN, LESS THAN 48 HOURS AGO.
THEY WERE DOMINANT.
THAT WAS A GAME ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO BE OUT SUED MYRRH -- OUTSIDE MERCEDES BENZ STADIUM.
FOR HILL GROVE, DAY TWO GOT TAKEN CARE OF BUZZ IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS.
THEY DEFEATED ARCHER.
THAT GAME WAS ALSO PLAYED AT BLESSED TRINITY.
THEY WERE ABLE TO HOLD ON LATE.
DEFEATING NILTON IN THE QUARTERFINAL.
THEN GOT IT STARTED.
AND THEY HAVE NOW WON THEIR LAST TEN GAMES.
DATING ALL THE WAY BACK UNTIL LATE OCTOBER.
BOTH THESE TEAMS, THE PLAY-OFF RUNS, IT'S BEEN AN 11 DAY SPAN AND NOW SECOND YEAR AS HEAD COACH, DANIEL PINKNEY.
HE LED THIS TEAM AND THIS PROGRAM TO A STAUT CHAMPIONSHIP A YEAR AGO.
HIS BACKGROUND IS IN TACKLE FOOTBALL.
HE'S ORIGINALLY FROM LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK.
HE SPENT TIME IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AS A FOOTBALL, TACKLE FOOTBALL, ASSISTANT COACH.
HE EVEN WORKED AT WESTLAKE AND CAM NEWTON WAS ONE OF HIS PLAYERS AS AN ASSISTANT COACH.
MEANWHILE, NICK'S HEAD COACH IN HIS SECOND SEASON AS WELL.
EN THAT IS A MATURE ETA TEAM THAT LOST TO HILLGROVE THE LAST COUPLE TIMES OUT.
WHAT IS THE PLAN IS TODAY.
WE HAD MORE SUCCESS WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE QUARTERBACK BY BACKING UP AND PLAYING SOFT.
THERE IS A LOOK AT THE FIELD.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT BETWEEN THE 10 YARD LINES, THAT IS THE FIELD OF PLAY.
THE TEN YARD LINES ARE THE END ZONES.
SO WHILE THIS BALL ON A TACKLE FIELD IS SPOTTED AT THE 24, IT'S IN THE SCORE BOOK IF YOU WILL OF THE 14 YARD LINE.
SO HERE WE GO.
7-A FINAL.
INCOMPLETE PASS.
MARIETTA GETS THE BALL FIRST.
>> WE SEE THE BALL STOTED HERE.
FIRST DOWN AND SIX.
THE GAIN WILL BE ATAUND BY GETTING PAST THE 20 YARD LINE.
>> MARIETTA'S OFFENSE AVERAGED OVER 20 YARDS PER GAME.
THEY'RE FILLED WITH A COUPLE TRACK ATHLETES.
HENNESSY IS THE QUARTERBACK.
AROUND TO McKALE YACHLT AND THE FLAG IS JUST SHY OF THE GAIN.
THAT WILL BE THIRD DOWN.
CLAIR HENNESSY, THE JUNIOR.
DID NOT PLAY LAST YEAR.
McCAYLA WALKER DID PLAY LAST YEAR.
WEARS NUMBER 12.
THERE IS HENNESSY.
AND SHE'S BEEN GROWING BY THE DAY.
BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO STRESS ACCORDING TO HER COACH, SHE IS MAKE EVERY THROW.
SHE HAS A GREAT ARM.
THE TALENT IS THERE.
IT'S A MATTER OF LEARNING THE SPORT.
SO THIRD DOWN AND TWO.
AND HENNESSY, A LITTLE PITCH.
OUT TO NORMALLY AND SHE IS JUST SLOW -- A SWIPE THERE.
THESE TWO TEAMS VERY FAMILIAR WITH EACH OTHER.
MARIETTA'S OFFENSE BEYOND HENNESSY.
HERE ARE A LOOK AT THE KEY PLAYERS AND STARTERS.
McCAYLA WALKER, KATE BRUIN, ALSO HAD TWO TOUCHDOWN CATCHES IN THAT SEMIFINAL WIN.
AND ELAINA ABRAMS THE CENTER.
THOMAS DISCUSS THROWER, IN FACT.
MARIETTA OPTED TO PUNT.
YOU MAKE A CHOICE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
THEY WERE AWFULLY CLOSE TO THAT FIRST DOWN.
THEY WILL KICK ON FOURTH AND ONE.
A COLLISION THAT TIME.
IT IS PITCHED BACKWARD AND AROUND.
THE BALL IS IN HER HANDS.
YOU GUESSED IT, McKENNA, THAT IS OUR MATCHUP HERE.
HULLGROVE'S OFFENSE.
22 ON 22.
>> WE SEE A BUNCH OF TACKLES.
THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PLAYERS IN SPACE.
AGAIN WHEN THE BALL HITS THE GROUND IN FLAG FOOTBALL, IT'S A FUMBLE.
SO HIGH RISK.
LOW RISK, HIGH REWARD.
>> FIRST IN FIVE.
>> HOW ABOUT THIS, MOVING OVER FOR A DIRECT SNAP.
THE MARIETTA SAYS NO PROBLEM.
HER FLAG PULLED IMMEDIATELY.
INTERESTING.
YOU SEE LAUS LACY CARTER WEARING NUMBER THREE SWING OUT WUD ON WIDE ON THAT MOTION.
>> AGAIN IF, YOU DOUBLE-TEAM NUMBER 22, LET'S PUTTER IN DIFFERENT SPOT.
>> CARTER BACK IN THE QUARTERBACK POSITION.
THERE IS THE CENTER.
THEY GIVE IT TO RENDER.
SHE RAN OUT OF ROOM.
HAD TO COME BACK INSIDE.
AND THIS SERIES STARTED FIRST AND FOUR.
AND MARIETTA IS AUTOMOBILE TO FORCE A THIRD DOWN.
HERE IS A LOOK AT THE OFFENSIVE STARTERS FOR HILL GROVE.
JASMINE.
A GREAT SOFTBALL PLAYER.
JOINED THE TEAM LATE IN THE SEASON.
LACROSSE PLAYER, KENT STATE COMMIT.
ALONG WITH LAUREN RENDER.
ANOTHER LACROSSE PLAYER COMMITTED TO VIRGINIA TECH.
GOT TO GET TO MIDFIELD.
TRIED TO GET IT AWAY.
THAT IS QUITE A STAND.
FIRST AND FOUR.
HILLGROVE CAN'T GET FIRST DOWN.
>> JUST LOVE THE SPEED, APPLYING THE PRESSURE RIGHT HERE.
JUST SPEED ON SPEED.
BEATS THE BLOCKER.
GETS THE FLAG PULLED FOR A TACKLE FOR A LOSS.
AGAIN, KEEPING IT BEHIND THE LINE.
IT WILL BE A PUNT.
AND IT WILL TAKE A RIGHT TURN.
NEAR LAY STAYED OUT OF THE END ZONE.
IT WILL BE A TOUCHBACK.
46-YARD PUNT.
>> THE ONE DRIVE, AGAIN, THESE TWO OPPONENTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH EACH OTHER.
WE SEE WHAT ADJUSTMENTS THEY MAKE.
>> WE JUST WRAPPED UP A HALF HOUR AGO.
HENNESSY BACK TO THROW.
DEEP SHOT.
TROUBLE.
INTERCEPTED.
RENDER WITH THE RIGHT SIDE LINE.
STILL GOING!
TOWARDS THE GOAL LINE!
SHE'S IN.
THE PUCK SIX.
LAUREN RENDER TAKES IT ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSE.
34 YARDS ON THE RETURN.
>> NUMBER 22 JUST FLYING AROUND ON DEFENSE.
MAYBE GET NUMBER FIVE ON THE LATERAL AND GET THE BALL IN THE END ZONE.
JUST SIMPLY PUT FOR LAUREN RENDER, ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HER, WOW.
BEFORE AND AFTER TRY FROM THE 3 YARD LINE.
LOOKING FOR ONE EXTRA POINT.
YOU HAVE AN OPTION TO GO FOR ONE, TWO, THREE.
RENDER IN MOTION.
IT'S A REVERSE.
AND NOW A TOSS.
WIDE OPEN!
AND THE EXTRA POINT IS GOOD FOR HILLGROVE.
HAULED IN.
7 HUFF 0, HAWKS.
HERE'S THE UNT SENGS.
ONE MORE TIME.
THAT'S FANTASTIC.
A LULL MUS DIRECTION HERE.
HOW DOES MATURE ETA RESPOND IN A PUCK SIX.
THE BEFORE AND AFTER TRY IS GOOD.
PITCH IT OUT LEFT.
EASTERN THAT IS QUALMY.
SHE WAS INJURED A MONTH AGO.
TUESDAY NIGHT IN THE SEMIFINAL, THE FIRST TIME ACCORDING TO THE COACH SHE LOOKED LIKE HERSELF AT FULL SPEED.
SO GAIN OF FOUR.
PUTSCH OUT AGAIN TO QUAMMY.
FIRST DOWN OUT TO THE 35.
HILLGROVE'S DEFENSE LED UP FRONT.
LEADS THE TEAM IN SACKS AT THAT RUSHER SPOT.
BOND JOINED HER AT THE RUSHER LINE.
NO NEED OPPORTUNITY TO DEUCE HER ANYMORE.
HENNESSY ON THE RUN.
TOWARDS THE LINE.
PITCHES IT BACKWARD.
TAKEN ACROSS FOR THE FIRST.
THAT EXTRA PITCH, ABLE TO GET TO THE NEXT ZONE.
>> NICE JOB BY THE QUARTERBACK.
LOW RISK, HIGH REWARD TO PITCH THAT BALL BACKWARDS.
THE FIRST YEAR QUARTERBACK AND A HIGH IQ.
>> IT IS LESS THAN ONE.
GOING DEEP.
INTERCEPTED AGAIN BY RENDER.
WHAT A WAY TO START.
THE SENIOR.
FINAL FLAG GAME AT HILLGROVE.
OH, MY WORD.
>> AGAIN, NUMBER FIVE, NOT SCARED.
22 JUST PLAYING IN THE MAN FREE HERE AND JUST LETTING 22 FLY AROUND.
PICK THESE BALLS OFF THAT ARE UP IN THE AIR.
>> SECOND TURNOVER.
THE FIRST TEN MINUTES.
AND CARTER DELIVERING THROUGH.
PUCKS UP A GOOD CHUNK OF FIRST PLAY OF THE DRIVE.
EVERYBODY CALM DOWN.
TWO EXCITING PLAYS FOR HILLGROVE.
MARIETTA RESPONDS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR HERE.
>> SO FIRST AND 14 NOW.
GET TO MUD FIELD.
CARTER.
PITCHES OUT THE BLACK.
SPIN.
HER FLAG IS RIPPED AWAY.
MARIETTA'S DEFENSE, THEY HAVE A LOT OF PLAYERS IN.
SOMEWHAT OF A YOUNG GROUP AS WELL.
NO SENIORS IN THE STARTING LINEUP.
McKENNA IS GOING TO BE A KEY PART OF THIS ONE.
SHE IS AT LINE BACKER.
SHE CAN PLAY AT THE LINE, SAFETY ROLE, EXTREMELY VERSATILE.
KATE, ANOTHER JUNIOR.
AND HARPER REALLY GOT THRUST INTO THAT STARTING ROLE AFTER A COUPLE OF INJURIES LATE IN THE REGULAR SEASON.
RENDER TRYING TO UTILIZE A BLOCK.
STEPPED OUT ABOUT TWO, THREE YARDS SHOE OF THE YARD GAIN.
THE WHOLE PLAYBOOK IS OPEN HERE.
>> LAUREN RENDER IS GOING OUT WIDE RIGHT BLACKBURN IS BEHIND THE LINE.
BLACKBURN MOVES UP.
ADJUST THE FORMATION.
TIGHTEN IT UP.
A LITTLE EARLY THERE.
FALSE START AGAINST HILLGROVE.
WORKING OUR THIRD AND FINAL FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
TRIPLE-HEADERS TOMORROW AND SATURDAY.
BIG THIRD DOWN PLAY.
CARTER IN TROUBLE.
HAS TO DUMP IT OFF TO BLACKBURN.
THAT IS TOO EASY THERE ON THE TACKLE.
>> FOURTH DOWN.
REMEMBER, FLAG FOOTBALL, YOU HAVE TO DECLARE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO.
>> THEY'RE GOING TO GO FOR ET.
BLACKBURN IS GOING TO BLOCK.
THEY CAN'T PULL A FLAG.
FIRST DOWN, HILLGROVE.
>> YEAH.
TOP OF YOUR SCREEN.
GET IT ON THE EDGE AS FAST AS UK THE BLOCKERS ARE STATIONED WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.
THAT ALLOWS FOR BLACKBURN TO USE HER SPEED TO GET UP THE FIELD.
GET THE FIRST DOWN.
>> TRYING TO FUTURE THROUGH THE BLOCKERS.
13 IN BLUE.
SHE COULDN'T GET THROUGH.
SO FIRST AND 17 NOW.
AND CARTER COLLECTS POSITIVE YARDAGE.
7 MINUTE MARK IN THE FIRST HALF.
>> HEADS UP PLAY FROM THE SENIOR QUARTERBACK.
THIS IS HER FIRST YEAR PLAYING FOOTBALL.
JUST TALK WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU.
OPEN DOWNFIELD.
DON'T THROW-IN DOUBLE COVERAGE.
YOU HAVE ALL THE MOMENTUM ON YOUR SIDE.
DARE OF THE FOOTBALL.
MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THIS GAME.
>> SECOND OFFENSIVE POSSESSION.
OVER THE MIDDLE AND INCOMPLETE.
>> NO SURPRISE HERE.
NUMBER 22 GETS A LOT OF THE ATTENTION.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A RECEIVING GROUP AROUND HER TO COMPLIMENT HER.
A BALL THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IF YOU'RE A HILLGROVE HAWK.
>> THIRD DOWN AND 12.
TRUING TO GET TO THE 30.
>> COLLISION THERE.
IN COVERAGE.
>> IN FLAG FOOTBALL, AGAIN, NONCONTACT CONTACT SPORT.
SO AGAIN, MAKING PLAYS ON THE BALL.
WE HAVE A LITTLE PHYSICAL CONTACT THERE.
NOT REALLY A FOUL.
>> HEAD COACH DANIEL PINKNEY.
TRUING TO CAPITALIZE.
GOING DEEP.
WHERE ELSE?
AND THAT BALL HAULED IN IN.
EMILY WITH THE CATCH.
A COUPLE OF HUGE FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS.
>> WHY NOT GET THE BALL UP TO YOUR ATHLETES HERE.
EMILY VAUGHN, AGAIN, A NICE COMPLIMENT RECEIVER HERE.
OF GOES UP AND GETS THE ROCK.
OF THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
>> REFLEX GETS YOU THINKING IT'S GOING TO BE LAUREN RENDER.
THE 10 YARD IS THE END ZONE.
A RUSH SNAP.
OFF THE LEFT SIDE.
TOSSED OUTSIDE.
RENDER IS SHY OF THE GOAL LINE.
THAT WAS LAYLA THAT TIME.
FIRST DOWN.
>> HILLGROVE'S ONLY TOUCHDOWN OF THIS POINT ON A PICK SIX FROM LAUREN RENDER.
34-YARD RETURN.
CARTER THROWING LEFT.
TRUING TO RUN FOR IT.
HOW ABOUT THAT HAND?
RACHAEL CASTILLO.
AND FLAG COMES OUT.
CARTER.
PENALTY BACKS UP HILLGROVE.
>> FLAG FOOTBALL WE HAVE NO 15-YARD PENALTIES.
THEY ARE 5 YARDS OR 10 YARDS.
LIKE I MENTIONED, THE CONTACT IS ONE OF THE MORE COMMONLY CALLED FOULS IN FLAG FOOTBALL.
YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE 10 YARD LINE.
DUMP IT OFF TO THE CENTER.
RETURNING STARTER, ANOTHER FLAG COMES OUCHLT SOMEONE IS COMING INTO MOTION.
THAT WILL BE AN YOU WILL LEGAL SHIFT.
>> Referee: ILLEGAL SHIFT, OFFENSE, FIVE-YARD PENALTY.
REPEAT SECOND DOWN.
>> ALL PLAYERS ARE ABLE TO GET THE FORWARD PASS.
GOOD OUTLET THERE BY THE SOUTHEASTERNOR CENTER TO GET INVOLVED.
>> HER FLAG RIPPED AWAY.
>> AGAIN, JUST GOING IN THAT DIRECTION.
HAVING SUCCESS SO FAR IN PASSING THE BALL.
WHY NOT JUST TRY TO RUN THE BALL.
GOOD HEADS UP THERE BY TAKING THE BALL YOURSELF.
NOT FORCING ANYTHING.
>> FIRST YEAR STARTER, CASTILLO.
LOW THROW.
FORCES THE RECEIVER TO GO DOWN TO THE GROUND.
CATCHES EMILY BOND AGAIN.
AND NOW A HUGE FOURTH DOWN PLAY COMING UP.
>> YEAH.
THE NICE THING ON THIRD DOWN, SOMETHING HAPPENED.
MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE MANAGEABLE.
>> THIS IS THE 14th PLAY OF THE DRIVE.
THEY GOT POSSESSION.
INTERCEPTION FROM RENDER.
THROWN UP FOR GRABS.
IT'S CAUGHT.
WAS SHE IN?
NO!
JUST SHOE.
MARIETTA BALL.
A HUGE CALL.
RENDER.
HER TOES MAO HAVE BEEN ON THE LINE.
I'M NOT SURE THE BALL GOT THERE.
>> NICE JOB BY THE MARIETTA BLUE DEVIL DEFENSE.
LONG DRIVE.
NICE JOB OF KEEPING THE HAWKS OUT OF THE END ZONE.
>> I'M NOT SURE THAT ANGLE IS GOING TO TELL US EVERYTHING WE NEEDED TO KNOW.
MAN, IT WAS CLOSE.
AND THAT'S THE ONE MINUTE WARNING.
SO HILLGROVE 7, MARIETTA 0.
THE BLUE DEVILS HAVE HUNG IN THERE.
THEY'RE DOWN BY A SCORE.
THEY ARE BACKED UP DEEP IN THEIR END ZONE WHEN WE COME BACK.
>>> HOW CLOSE WAS LAUREN RENDER FROM PICKING UP THIS TOUCHDOWN THIS CATCH?
FOURTH AND GOAL FROM THE 3.
SHE HAD TO GET INTO THE -- BEYOND THE 10 YARD LINE.
THE RIGHT FOOT IS BEYOND THE YARD LINE, DAVE.
I'M NOT SURE THE BALL IS.
TOUGH TO TELL FROM THAT ANGLE.
POSITION IS WHERE SHE HAD THE BALL.
THE LINE JUDGE THERE.
RIGHT ON TOP OF IT.
SO HE HAD THE BEST ANGLE.
>> MARIETTA HAS THROWN TWO INTERCEPTIONS.
AND ABLE DO KEEP HILLGROVE OUT.
PICK SIX.
INTERCEPTION AGAIN!
RENDER WITH THE THIRD PICK.
BUT THERE IS A FLAG.
THIS MAY NOT STAND.
.
>> YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
>> Referee: PASS INTERFERENCE, DEFENSE, 10 YARDS FROM THE PREVIOUS SPOT.
REPLAY FIRST DOWN.
>> NICE JOB HERE.
OVER THE TOP.
GET INTERCEPTION.
BEFORE WE GET THERE, YEAH, WE GET A COLLISION THERE FOR DO YOU HAVE YOU HAVE PASS UNT FEERNS.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY 15 YARDS IN FLAG FOOTBALL.
>> HILLGROVE WON 17 OFFENSIVE PLAYS.
AND THAT BALL IS INCOMPLETE.
SHE IS JUST OUT OF BOUNDS IT APPEARS.
LOOKING FOR KATIE BREW UN.
CARLTON THERE TO STOP.
>> WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE LINE HERE.
20-YARD LINE.
SLINGING THE ROCK ALL OVER THE FIELD TODAY.
KEEP GETTING UP THE FIELD.
>> MARIETTA HAS THREE TIME-OUTS.
IT'S PER GAME, NOT THE HALF.
CAUGHT BY WALKER.
SHE GETS OUT OF BOUNDS.
UNDER A MINUTE.
WALKER WILL BE A FUTURE LSU TIGER ON THE SOFTBALL FIELD.
HER SISTER McKENZIE RUNS TRACK AT GEORGIA STATE.
OTHER EVENTS SUCH AS GHSA CHAMPIONSHIPS.
HENNESSY.
UNDER PRESSURE.
THAT ONE FALLS TO THE GROUND.
FOURTH DOWN AND SEVEN.
UNCOMPLETE PASS.
>> Referee: OFFENSE WILL PUNT.
>> THEY GO RIGHT BACK TO THE CENTER.
POSITIVE YARD HERE.
>> THE PUNTER FOR MARIETTA.
RETURNABLE SO LONG AS THEY'RE FIELDED CLEANLY.
>> 26 SECONDS GO FOR A FIVE-YARD RETURN.
>> GOOD JOB OF MARIETTA GETTING THE GOAL LINE STAND AND GETTING THE BALL OUT OF REALLY BAD TERRITORY.
STARTING THE BALL AT THE 1 YARD LINE.
>> COACH DANIEL FOR TRYING TO GET A QUICK SCORE BEFORE THE BREAK.
>> TACKLES IT.
FLAG COMES OUT.
AND THEY MAY GET A FLAG.
>> Referee: OFFENSE, 10 YARDS TO THE SPOT OF THE FOUL.
REPLAY FIRST DOWN.
>> WE'LL GET A REAL GOOD LOOK.
LEFT HAND.
JUST SWATTED THE OPPONENT THERE.
SWINGING THE ARM.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE FLAG.
>> FIFTH PENALTY FROM 45 YARDS.
THE ONLY MISTAKES THEY'VE MADE.
THEY'LL TAKE A KNEE.
AND THEY WILL CALL A TIME-OUT.
HALFTIME HERE AT CENTER PARK STADIUM.
HILLGROVE 7.
A PICK SIX FROM LAUREN RENDER THE DIFFERENCE IN THE GAME.
HEADED TO THE LOCKER ROOM TO TRY TO TURN IT AROUND.
DANIEL PINKNEY 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
HILLGROVE AND MARIETTA ON GPB SPORTS.
>>> WELCOME INTO OUR GPB HALFTIME SHOW.
GET BACK IN THE GAME WITH REGENTS BANK.
I'M HOLDING DOWN THE STUDIOS RIGHT HERE AT OUR GPB STUDIOS IN ATLANTA.
WE'RE CURRENTLY HALF TIME IN THE THIRD GAME OF OUR FLAG FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
HILLGROVE AND MARIETTA.
WE HAVE TWO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP -- STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES THAT HAVE BEEN CROWNED WINNERS.
THE WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THAT THIRD WINNER.
LET'S GO AHEAD.
THE WE'RE GOING TO CATCH YOU UP AND LOOK AHEAD TO OUR SCHEDULE AND SCOREBOARD.
SO THE FIRST GAME OF THE DAY, YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT THERE.
SOUTHEAST BULLOCK CROWNED STATE CHAMPIONS 20-0 OVER PORTAL.
AND THEN THE GAME THAT WE JUST HAD BEFORE THIS GAME, THE DIVISION II, 5-A AND 6-A MATCHUP.
A FANTASTIC FINISH.
WENT INTO TRIPLE OVERTIME.
DODGE COUNTY CAME OUT ON TOP.
THEY WON ON THE LAST PLAY OF THE GAME.
AND RIGHT NOW, DIVISION THREE, THE 7-A MATCHUP.
HILLGROVE 7-0 OVER MATURE ETA.
COMING UP AFTER THIS STATE CHANGE-UP, WE HAVE THE SINGLE A PRIVATE MATCHUP.
FOLLOWING THAT GAME, WE HAVE THE SINGLE A PUBLIC STATE CHANGE-UP OF IRWIN COUNTY AND BROOKS COUNTY.
THIS GAME AND THEN TWO MORE EXECUTING THAT ARE COMING UP A LITTLE BIT LATER.
THIS IS DAY ONE OF DAY THREE OF OUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
JOHN, SOMETIMES I HAVE TO SUT HERE AND GO ARE WE IN HALFTIME OR HAS THE GAME FINISHED YET.
HOW YOU ARE FEELING?
DO YOU HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER OR IS IT JUST ME?
>> NO.
ALL THE GAMES BLEND TOGETHER.
BUT THAT'S THE FUN PART.
IT IS WALL TO WALL THE ENTIRE WEEKEND.
THAT'S WHY YOU AND YOU HAVE PIECES OF PAUPER THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS BARELY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE.
IT'S ABOUT BRACKETS AND RUNDOWNS FOR ALL OF US.
IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.
YOU WANT TO TALK, I KNOW THAT WILEY AND DAUFD WILL TALK ABOUT HER TOO.
NORMALLY DURING FOOTBALL FROM YOUS IN GEORGIA, HANNAH WHO IS MUCH WAG US FROM HOME BECAUSE SHE HAS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL COMING ON MONDAY, SHE IS HAVING HER TWINS.
I KNOW THE TWO OF YOU ARE HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MOTHERHOOD.
BUT NORMAL WILL YOU SHE HAS A PLAYER OF THE FIRST HALF.
I'LL GIVE YOU MUST PLAYER OF THE FIRST HALF.
LAUREN RENDER WITHOUT A DOUBT.
>> I WAS GOING SAY.
WE SHOULD HAVE SAID IT AT THE SAME TIME.
WITH THREE PUCKS, HOW CAN SHE NOT BE?
>> OKAY.
LET'S DO IT AT THE SAME TIME.
THREE, TWO -- YEAH.
>> LAUREN RENDER.
>> THREE, TWO, ONE, LAUREN RENDER.
THERE WE GO.
THE SHE'S BEEN A BEAT TWO YEARS IN A ROW NOW ON STAGE IN CENTER PARK.
I THINK SHE'S BEEN INTEGRAL TO WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM COACH PINKNEY GETTING TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING THIS YEAR.
SO MY PLAYER OF THE FIRST HALF, WITHOUT A DOUBT, LAUREN RENDER.
>> THERE YOU GO.
I LOVE IT.
SHE HAS DEFINITELY PLAYED LIGHTS OUT.
JOHN, THANK YOU.
WE'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU SHORT WILL YOU.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE JOINING US, IT IS HALF TIME RIGHT NOW.
HILLGROVE AND MARIETTA.
HILLGROVE WINNING 7-0.
THERE IS SO MANY BECAUSE TO FOLLOW ALONG.
THE HE'S WHY YOUEST WAY TO KEEP UP IS, OF COURSE, SOCIAL MEDIA.
CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK.
YOU CAN ALSO WATCH US ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND FOLLOW ALONG.
THERE ARE A TON OF BECAUSE TO STAY CONNECTED TO US.
ALWAYS TAG US AT GPB SPORTS.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR THIS HALFTIME.
WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE SHORTLY.
STUCK WITH US.
>>> WRAPPING UP HALF TIME AT CENTER PARK STADIUM.
HILLGROVE 7, MARIETTA 0.
OF THE HAWKS GOT THEIR ONLY SCORE ON A DO YOU HAVE YOU HAVE PLAY.
THUS FAR, IT'S BEEN SOME WHAT OF WHAT WE EXPECTED.
A HIGHLY CONTESTED GAME BETWEEN TWO AREA RIVALS.
DAVE, WE HAVE SEEN LAUREN RENDER.
SHE'S BEEN THE STORY.
SHE WAS THE PLAYER TO WATCH BEFORE THE GAME.
SHE'S BEEN THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS ONE.
>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.
FLYING AROUND, ESPECIALLY ON DEFENSE.
HERE'S ONE OF THE INTERCEPTIONS.
MAN FREE.
GETTING UPFIELD ALL THE WAY.
RETURNING FOR THE TOUCHDOWN.
>> A 34-YARD RETURN.
SWHAENT DONE.
ON THE NEXT POSSESSION FOR MARIETTA.
ANOTHER INTERCEPTION.
THIS TIME SHE LOST HER FEET.
THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A VICTORY FOR MARIETTA ON THE FIRST HALF.
CARTER DEEP TO EMILY BOND WHO HAULS IT IN.
FOURTH AND GOAL FROM THE 3.
YOU MAKE THE CALL.
HOW DID THEY GET TO THE 10 YARD LINE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN?
SHE WAS JUST SHY.
MARIETTA GOT THE BALL ON THE ONE INCH LINE.
NOT MUCH OF ANYTHING FROM MARIETTA.
JUST 34 TOTAL YARDS.
YOU SEE THE QUARTERBACK HAVING MORE PASSING YARDS COMING OUT THE SECOND HALF.
SO FAR, NOT MUCH GOING ON IN THE BLUE AERIAL TECH.
20 MINUTES.
RUNNING CLOCK UP TO THE FINAL MUNN.
IT WILL STOP FOR A ONE-MINUTE WARNING.
>> TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 50s THIS AFTERNOON.
MUCH THEY DROP LOWER TONIGHT.
WE EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF RAIN TOMORROW AND SATURDAY.
>> THEY RUN RIGHT OVER THE MIDDLE.
FLAG PULLED.
>> LAST PLAY, RUNNING THE BALL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN.
ANOTHER OPTION FOR THE QUARTERBACK THERE.
PICK UP THE FIRST DOWN.
A LITTLE CAT AND MOUSE GAME.
AGAIN, TAKING WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU.
>> SO A NEW SET OF DOWNS.
HAVE TO GET TO MIDFIELD.
CARTER GOING TO RUN WITH IT.
UP THE LEFT HASH.
NOT SURE WHO PULLED IT.
BUT A POSITIVE GAIN FOR HILLGROVE.
>> THIS IS GOOD IQ HERE.
PICK UP A COUPLE YARDS.
TAKE THAT BALL IN AND USE THE SPEED THAT WE HAVE TO GET UP THE FIELD.
>> HOW ABOUT LACY CARTER?
COACH PINKNEY WHO HAS BEEN IN HILLGROVE AS LONG AS LACY CARTER HAS, BOTH FOURTH YEARS, THEY DIDN'T KNOW EACH OTHER UNTIL LACY REACHED OUT AND SAID, HAU, HEY, YOU'D LOVE TO PLAY FLAG AND LACY WENT TO COACH AND SAID SHE'LL BE OUR QUARTERBACK.
LO AND BEHOLD, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.
AND NOW COACH PINKNEY AND CARTER HAVE A CONVERSATION BEFORE THE THIRD DOWN PLAY.
INCREDIBLE SELFLESSNESS HERE.
HE MOVES LAST YEAR'S QUARTERBACK OUT TO WIDE SEVER.
DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TEAM.
>> UP THE MIDDLE.
FIRST DOWN.
LACY CARTER OVER NEXT ZONE.
ALL BY HERSELF.
MAD YOU SON McKINLEY, SHE GOT THERE QUICK.
NEEDED ONLY ONE YARD.
>> GOOD TO SEE HER BACK.
SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION.
CLEARED.
>> OUT WIDE.
GOING TO BE A FORWARD PASS.
SECURED BY CHEYENNE LENT.
ANOTHER LACROSSE PLAYER.
HILLGROVE IS FULL OF LACROSSE PLAYERS.
IN FACT, THEY HELD A JOINT FLAG FOOTBALL-LACROSSE SUMMER CAM THP CAMP THIS PAST SUMMER.
>> SO EIGHT YARDS TO GO.
ONE DEFENDER MISS.
UP THE SIDE LINE.
AND SHE'S IN TO A GOAL TO GO ZONE.
>> LOOK AT THE SPEED THERE.
MAKING THAT ONE PERSON MISS.
THE THEN WE GET THAT BURST OF SPEED.
>> I ARGUE THIS IS THE BEST THE OFFENSE LOOKED ALL DAY.
THE ONE TOUCHDOWN BELONGS TO A PUCK SIX BY LAUREN RENDER.
THEY GOT DOWN TO THE GOAL LINE.
IT WAS A FEW FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS.
THEY'RE LIKE A MACHINE RIGHT NOW.
CASTILLO IS THERE TO PULL THE FLAG.
>> NOT MUCH DOING THERE.
PING-PONG BALL BOUNCING AROUND.
GETTING POSITIVE YARDS ON THE OFFENSE.
TO YOUR POINT, THAT MEANS WE'RE CLICKING ON THE GAS.
>> CONSIDERING ALL THAT WENT WRONG FOR THEM IN THE FIRST HALF, HAD TO GO IN THE LOCKER ROOM.
THE MESSAGE HAD TO BE WE'RE DOWN BY SEVEN AND WE HAVEN'T PLAYED THAT WELL.
KEEP IT THAT WAY.
TEN YARD LINE IS THE END ZONE.
A SHORT PASS THERE FOR RENDER.
MARIETTA RIGHT ON TOP OF IT.
GREEN COMING OUT OF COLLEGE WAS THE NFL COACH.
HE WAS IN TACKLE AT MARIETTA FOR OVER TEN YEARS.
A HIGH FIVE.
RACING AROUND.
COACH HAD A CHANCE TO WIN THE STATE CHANGE-UP HERE IN FLAG.
CARTER ROLLING.
OVER THE MIDDLE AND ITS CAUGHT.
THAT GOT THROUGH TWO MARIETTA DEFENDERS.
EMILY BOND MAKES THE GRAB.
RIGHT UP AGAINST THE GOAL LINE.
>> JUST ROLLED IT THAT WAY.
THREADS THE NEEDLE RIGHT THERE AND DOUBLE COVERAGE.
THAT IS OUT OF BOUNDS.
SHORT OF THE GOAL LINE.
MAN THAT, IS A SUPER CONSTITUTE CATCH.
STEPPING OUT OF BOUNDS.
>> HERE WE ARE AGAIN.
FOURTH AND GOAL.
THIS TIME FROM THE 1 YARD LINE.
AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BREAK.
HILLGROVE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.
TRYING TO MAKE IT A TWO SCORE GAME HERE IN THE 7-A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
>>> FOURTH AND LONG.
>> EVERY POSSESSION MATTERS.
YOU HAVE TO BREAK HERE.
A BIG FOURTH DOWN AND ONE.
>> NO FIELD GOALS.
IT'S CARTER.
UNDER PRESSURE.
RENDER IS THERE, TOUCHDOWN!
LAUREN RENDER, HER SECOND OF THE DAY!
AND THAT'S 13-0, HILLGROVE.
>> QUARTERBACK AND STARTED PLAYING QUARTERBACK IN IT AUGUST.
AGAIN, JUST ALL SELECTIVE.
LOOKING FOR THE RECEIVER TO OPEN.
FINDS A WAY FOR A PITCH AND CATCH.
>> SHE HAD TWO TOUCHDOWNS IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
HOPING THIS TIME IT RESULTS IN WAYNE.
THE EXTRA POINT.
RENDER ONCE MORE THIS TIME.
BATTED DOWN FROM BEHIND.
13-0, HILLGROVE.
ONE MORE LOOK.
SHE GETS TO THE BACKSIDE.
NOBODY STUCK WITH HER.
YOU KNOW IN THE HUDDLE IT IS CLEAR, DON'T LOSE 22.
EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
>> REALLY GOOD BALL HANDLING.
HILLGROVE HAS WON TEN STRAIGHT.
THEY GIFT TO McCAYLA WALKER.
LACY CARTER WENT SIX FOR SIX AND SEVEN YARDS.
NOT BAD FOR SOMEONE THAT BEGAN PLAYING FLAG FOOTBALL IN AUGUST.
ALL RIGHT.
MARIETTA HAS TO GET GOING HERE.
SECOND DOWN AND TWO.
BACKWARD.
COULDN'T GET THERE.
THAT TIME ELIZABETH BOND, THE YOUNGER SISTER OF EMILY BOND.
>> SPEED ON SPEED THERE.
REALLY GOOD FLAG PULL.
CAN'T MISS THAT ONE.
GOOD ON GOOD THERE.
>> ELIZABETH BOND IS THE ONLY NONSTARTER IN THE STARTING LINEUP.
THE FIRST.
BUSTING THROUGH.
FLAG STILL ON.
AGAIN.
YOU HAVE TO GET HER MORE INVOLVED.
SHE LEADS THE TEAM WITH 52 RECEPTIONS THIS YEAR.
>> SHE IS THE BACKBONE FOR THE OFFENSE.
NICE JOB THERE.
REALLY GOOD EFFORT THERE.
>> QUICKLY.
AHEAD TO WALKER, HER FLAG PULLED.
HASN'T DONE MUCH OFFENSIVELY.
THIS IS THE MOST PROMISING THEY'VE LOOKED THIS AFTERNOON AS AN OFFENSE.
CLOCK WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE 1 MINUTE MARK.
TASS OUT.
FIRST DOWN.
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LOOK.
NICE JOB THERE.
A LULL DIFFERENT.
AGAIN, HANGING THE BALL OUT IN FRONT OF THE RUNNER.
HELPS GET MORE YARDAGE.
THAT IS WHERE THE FLAG IS PULLED.
>> WALKER, BEATS ONE TACKLE.
>> SHORT PICKUP HERE.
AGAIN, GOING TO A FAMILIAR TARGET ON THIS PARTICULAR DRIVE.
EMILY BOND MISSED THE FIRST FLAG PULL.
>> MAYOR YAET IS NOT AT PANIC TIME HERE.
YOU STILL HAVE TEN MINUTES LEFT.
GO DOWN, SCORE, GET A STOP, SCORE AGAIN.
AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A FLAG.
SHE GRABBED THE JERSEY.
SHE WAS BROUGHT DOWN YOU ABOUT THE JERSEY.
>> THAT IS PRIOR TO THE TACKLE.
THAT HAPPENED.
>> LUNGING FORWARD.
THE SHE DID CATCH IT.
AND NOW A BIG FOURTH DOWN PLAY AM COULDING.
>> I LOVE THE EFFORT BY NUMBER ONE.
LAYING OUT.
TRIED TO GET THAT LINE.
SHE IS A FILM JUNKY.
ONE BIG YARD TO GET HERE.
YOU LOOK AT MARIETTA.
SUED LINE.
HENNESSY AND THE RECEIVERS.
QUICK PASS.
BOND.
FIRST DOWN MATURE ETA.
AND NOW THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO GET IN THE END ZONE.
>> JUST TAKE THE DEFENSE.
SHE IS WUD OPEN.
PICK UP THAT ONE BIG YARD.
ONLY PROBLEM FOR FLAG FOOTBALL, FIRST DOWN AND 18 TO START WITH.
>> HENNESSY.
TALK A SHOT DEEP.
OVERTHROWS EVERYONE.
THE BALL WAS IN THE AUR FOR SO LONG.
RENDER A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO RUN UNDER IT.
>> ROLLING RIGHT TO THE TOPst SCREEN.
JUST HANGS A BALL HERE.
TO YOUR POINT, NUMBER 22 FLOATING OVER TOP.
THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN TRUP WILL COVERAGE.
>> REACHES FORWARD.
INSIDE OF TEN YARDS.
THIRD AND MANAGEABLE HERE.
TWO ATHLETES PICKING UP SEVERAL YARDS ON SECOND DOWN.
>> WE SAW AN 11 YARD PLAY FOR HILLGROVE.
THIS IS THE 12th PLAY FOR MARIETTA ON THIS DRIVE.
MAKES THE DEFENDER MISS.
SHE'S INTO THE END ZONE.
TOUCHDOWN, MARIETTA!
THIS IS WHAT THE MARIETTA FAITHFUL NEEDED.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
BOUNGT AFTER.
BROKEN UP.
THE HIPS ARE SO KEY IN FLAG FOOTBALL.
>> YOU MAKE ONE PERSON MISS, YOU GET TEN MORE YARDS.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS HERE.
THERE WE GO.
UP THE SIDE LINE.
>> THAT'S AN IMPRESS YOU HAVE RESPONSE.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A HILLGROVE DRIVE AND 11 PLAYS.
REALLY SUCKED THE LIFE OUT OF THE GAME.
MARIETTA RESPONDS RIGHT BACK.
HUGE FOURTH DOWN ON THAT DRIVE.
NOW THEY HAVE TO GET A STOP.
THEY'RE NOT CHANGE THINGS.
TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL.
YOU HAVE THE LEAD.
YOU HAVE THE FOOTBALL.
BE MART WITH THE FOOTBALL LIKE YOU'VE BEEN ALL DAY.
KEEP TAKING WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU.
THAT STOP IS MADE BY HE LUZ BETH SHE'S IN THE DEFENSE NOW.
WEARING NUMBER FOUR.
GETS AROUND HER.
PULLED THE FLAG.
CARTER IS OFF AND RUNNING!
ON THE SIDE LINE!
SHE CAN GET IT WITHIN TEN YARDS.
A HUGE FLAG PULL.
SHE IS FEELING IT.
THE SENIOR.
WHAT A HIGH.
SHE DECIDED TO KEEP THE BALL.
JUST PLAY TO THE WHISTLE.
WHAT A BACKBREAKER FOR MARIETTA RIGHT NOW.
>> MUTE BE A BACKBREAKER.
IT'S NOT A NAIL IN THE COULD HAVE FUN THANKS TO THAT TOUCHDOWN SAVING PULL.
GIVES MAYOR YAET A CHANCE HERE.
RENDER BEHIND THE LINE.
TACKLE FOR LOSS.
AND AGAIN, MARIETTA MAKING HOLD STRONG HERE, DAVE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A SHOT.
>> BEND DON'T BREAK HERE.
A BIG FLAG PULL THERE.
CAN'T MISS ANY MORE FLAG PULLS.
CLOCK CONTINUING TO WIND.
SECOND AND 11.
HAVE TO GET TO THE 10 YARD LINE FOR A SCORE.
CARTER.
GOING TO RUN.
FLAG STILL UP.
OF SHE'S INTO THE END ZONE.
TOUCHDOWN, HILLGROVE.
LACY CARTER!
SHE DOES IT ALL.
99 YARDS RUSHING TO DAY FOR THE SENIOR QUARTERBACK.
>> MAN THIS IS EXCITING TO WATCH.
LACY CARTER ALL GAS, NO BRAKES RIGHT THERE.
AGAIN, DEFENSE ALLOWS THAT TO HAPPEN.
SHE TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT.
SO VERY EXECUTING MOMENT.
NOW THAT HULL GOT MUCH STEEPER AS THE CLOCK WILL WIND DURING THIS EXTRA POINT.
HILLGROVE WILL GO FOR ONE.
AND RENDER GET IN?
SHE DID.
SO LAUREN RENDER HAS PUT UP 13 POINTS TODAY FOR HILLGROVE.
A PICK SIX AND A TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION.
HERE'S A LOOK.
CALM, COOL, COLLECTED.
NO PAN UK RIGHT THERE.
GETS THE ROCK ACROSS THE GOAL LINE.
THAT'S FANTASTIC PLAY BY THE QUARTERBACK.
>> AND SHE'S FIRING UP THE FANS.
184 YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSE.
RUSHING TOUCHDOWN.
PASSING TOUCHDOWN AND AWAY HOME.
HENNESSY OVER THE MIDDLE.
>> THE CLOCK WILL CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL THAT 1 MINUTE WARNING.
WE NEED TO GET THE BALL DOWNFIELD.
>> BOND ON THE GIVE.
REALLY HAVING SUCCESS.
JUST DOING SHORT PASSES.
THEY'RE CONFIDENT.
>> YEAH.
REST ASSURED, THEY HAVE TO GET THE BALL DOWNFIELD.
>> EXACTLY RIGHT.
SHE IS SACKED.
WAY BEHIND THE LINE.
BELTON.
HUGE PLAY.
THAT BRUZ UP FOURTH DOWN.
HILLGROVE STARTING TO TAUST IT.
TASTE IT.
>> SUPER FAST OFF THE BALL RIGHT THERE.
WAY BEFORE THIRD.
GETTING THE BALL DOWNFIELD.
>> HENNESSY GOT TO GET TO MIDFIELD.
IT'S GOING TO BE INTERCEPTED.
RENDER WITH THE THIRD PUCK OF THE DAY.
DOWN THE SIDELINE.
AT THE ONE-MINUTE WARNING, HILLGROVE HAS IT ALL BUT LOCKED UP.
33-YARD RETURN.
AND FOR LAUREN RENDER, A YEAR AGO TWO TOUCHDOWNS AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LOSS.
THIS YEAR, TWO TOUCHDOWNS, THREE INTERCEPTIONS AND 60 SECONDS AWAY FROM A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> EXPLODING DOWN THE BACKFIELD.
PICKED THAT BALL OFF.
BIG TIME MOMENT.
BIG TIME PLAY.
BUG TIME PLAYERS.
>> THE STAKES ARE HIGH.
PLAYERS ARE FIGHTING AND DON'T THINK FOR A SECOND THAT BOTH TEAMS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME.
JUST AGAIN, HEARTBREAK FOR HENNESSY.
ONLY A JUNIOR.
SHE'LL HAVE A CHANCE.
NOW THE SENIOR.
IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT EITHER SUED IS GOING TO CALL A TIME-OUT.
SO ONE MORE SNAPPEN THAT OUGHT TO DO IT.
>> WILL BE THE FINAL PLAY.
WE GET CARTER DOWN.
SHE'LL RUSH FOR OVER 100 YARDS.
UNREAL PERFORMANCE.
I STILL THINK THE POINT OF THE GAME IS GOING TO BE THE SENIOR LAUREN RENDER.
THREE UNT SEPGSS, TWO TOUCHDOWNS, AND THEN HILLGROVE HAWKS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS IN 7-A IN 2021.
>> ONLY SECOND YEAR IN FLAG FOOTBALL SANCTIONED YOU ABOUT THE GHSA.
PANDEMONIUM ON THE FIELD.
THE HILLGROVE STUDENT BODY LOVING IT.
AND THEY'RE BACK INTO THE STANDS.
WHAT GAME FOR LACY CARTER, SENIOR QUARTERBACK.
STARTED PLAYING THE SPORT FOUR MONTHS AGO.
YOU HAVE TO SAY SHE'S A NATURAL.
CAME UP JUST SHORT LAST YEAR IN DOUBLE OVERTIME.
AND NOW A HAND SHAKE BETWEEN THE COACHES.
THAT IS ONE OF THE THEMES, DAVID.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE COACHES.
JUST A MUTUAL RESPECT AND ADD MILE AN HOURATION THEY HAVE FOR EACH OTHER.
>> EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE, TWO PROFESSIONALS HERE.
BOTH HEAD COACHES KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS AT STALK FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR THE GIRLS.
BOTH COACHES COMPLIMENTARY.
SO, HEY, VERY CHALLENGING.
>> HUGS ALL AROUND.
HUGE, HUGE PART OF WHAT THEY DO.
THIS IS A COLLECTIVE ORGANIZATION.
THIS IS A JOURNEY THAT HAS TAUN TWO YEARS FOR HILLGROVE.
THEY WERE A FOUR SEED OUT OF AREA LAST YEAR.
DEALT WITH COVID CONTACT TRACING AND EVEN COACH PINKNEY MISSED A COUPLE GAMES DURING THE PLAY-OFF RUN.
NOW HE IS STA STATE CHAMPION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUT THAT TIME TO PRESENT THE THIRD OF THREE FLAG FOOTBALL CHANGE-UP TROVE YUZ.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, SHOUTOUT TO MARIETTA.
FANTASTIC SEASON.
GREAT RUN THIS YEAR FOR MARIETTA ALL THE WAY TO CENTER PARK.
BUT IT IS THAT TIME WHERE WHERE HE PRESENT THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.
>> FIRST OFF, CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIETTA FOR THE RUNNER UP FIN ISH.
THE GREAT JOB, GREAT SEASON.
I HAVE TO MENTION THE GREAT CROWD OVER HERE FOR HILLGROVE.
HOW ABOUT THAT?
THAT'S THE WAY TO SUPPORT YOUR GIRLS.
COACHED A LITTLE BIT OF ADVERSITY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, HAVING TO MOVE THE SEMIFINAL GAME AND YOU HAD THEM READY AND GOT THEM REFOCUSED.
DID A GOOD JOB.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
RUNNER UP LAST YEAR.
YOU TOOK THE NEXT STEP.
GLAUGS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COACH, BREAK DOWN WHAT THIS RIDE HAS BEEN LIKE MAKING IT TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR COMING UP STATE RUNNER UP AND NOW WALK AGO WAY WITH THE BIG TROPHY THIS YEAR.
>> IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.
IT MEANS A LOT TO THE GURLZ.
BUT TO BE HONEST, IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, IT'S ABOUT THOSE GIRLS.
THE CAMERA SHOULD BE ON THEM.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT DEALT WITH THE ADVERSE IT AND LOST ON THE LAST PLAY LAST YEAR.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT SHOWED UP AND WORKED THEIR TAILS OFF ALL YEAR LONG.
LADIES, THE TROVE WHY YOU IS FOR Y'ALL.
I'M JUST HOLDING FOR IT NOW.
>> WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BUILD THIS PROGRAM TO WHERE IT HAS COME FROM TO WHERE IT IS NOW OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?
WHAT'S IT LUKE TO SEE IT WORK THE WAY THAT IT HAS?
>> IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING RIDE.
I WANT TO THANK THE A.D.s.
YOU DON'T GET A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF MANY THINGS THAT ARE BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP.
SO WE BUILT IT FROM THE DIRT.
IT'S BEEN A REALLY GREAT RIDE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMPETING NEXT YEAR AND LETTING THE SPORT BLOSSOM AND GROW THE WAY IT HAS IN GEORGIA.
>> FROM THE DIRT TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP, HILLGROVE, STATE CHAMPS.
MUCH SEND US HOME.
>> THANK YOU, NELLY.
WE'LL DO JUST THAT.
COACH PINKNEY, THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME FROM DAY ONE.
IT IS ABOUT THE GIRLS AND PROGRAMS.
IT HAS BEEN THE SAME SINCE THE CHAMPIONSHIP WIN.
WHAT A SHOT.
HILLGROVE HAWKS, THE 7-A CHAMPIONS.
THEY DEFEAT MARIETTA FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME THIS YEAR.
THAT CLOSE OUT OUR GHSA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS COVERAGE FOR FLAG FOOTBALL.
WE HAVE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE HIGH LUTZ.
THAT GAME, EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE AND THE TWO TEAMS HAVE MANY BATTLES TO COME IN THE YEAR FOR SURE.
>> ALL DAY LONG.
SO REALLY EXCITING DAY FOR FLAG FOOTBALL.
>> DON'T FORGET ABOUT LACY CARTER.
SHE GOT IT STARTED.
RUSHING FOR OVER 100 YARDS.
GETTING IT TO JASMINE BLACKBURN.
EMILY BOND, A FEW BUG CATCHES TODAY.
AND THEN CARTER FLOATING IT IN THE BACKSIDE.
THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN OF THE DAY.
MARIETTA BATTLING BACK.
GETTING IT BACK TO PERRIMAN.
MADE IT A SEVEN POINT GAME.
THEY NEEDED A STOP.
THEY COULDN'T GET IT.
LACY CARTER, LOOK AT HER GO.
DOWN THE SUED LINE.
PLUS SHE MIGHT GO THE WHOLE WAY.
SHE IS TRACKED DOWN.
THIRD AND FINAL TOUCHDOWN FOR HILLGROVE THIS AFTERNOON.
AND THE HAWKS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS.
TIME TO EAT, HUH?
AND HILLGROVE STATE CHAMPIONS AFTER LOSING IN DOUBLE OVERTIME AT LAST YEAR'S STATE FINAL.
THEY GET IT DONE AND FINISH THEIR SEASON 17-1.
HERE ARE THE STATE CHAMPIONS.
AND THE HUGS SAY IT ALL.
AGAIN, FOR DAVE REYNOLDS, OUR PRODUCER AND KEVIN BARNS AND SO MANY OTHERS THAT HELPED BRING YOU TODAY'S BROADCAST OF FLAG FOOTBALL, SO LONG.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
CAN'T WAIT TO COVER IT NEXT YEAR!
AS WE CAN CELEBRATE FOR THE TIME BEING.
SOUTHEAST BULLOCK STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN DIVISION I.
AND LACY CARTER, LAUREN RENDER AND COMPANY FOR HILLGROVE GET IT DONE FOR THE HAWKS.
THEY ARE AT THE TOP OF 7-AH THIS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY SEASON IS ONLY JUST BEGUN.
EIGHT TACKLE FOOTBALL GAMES COMING YOUR WAY OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
THAT WILL DO IT FOR FLAG.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>>> WELCOME INTO THE TAILGATE PARTY.
WE'RE HOLDING DOWN THE STUDIOS RIGHT HERE AT OUR GPB STUDIOS IN ATLANTA.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS GOES OUT TO THE HILLGROVE LAUDY HAWKS FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 3 FLAG FOOTBALL STATE CHANGE-UP OVER MARIETTA.
A FANTASTIC FINISH.
LACY CARTER AND LAUREN RENDER.
WHAT A FANTASTIC FINISH, LADIES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR FANS THAT RUSHED THE FIELD.
WE LOVE TO SEE THAT.
>> WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE THAN ELECTRICITY.
WE HAVE OFFICIALLY CROWNED THREE STATE CHAMPIONS.
LET'S LOOK AT WHAT YOU MISSED AND CATCH YOU UP ON WHAT IS TO COME.
THIS IS OUR FIRST GAME OF THE DAY.
SOUTHEAST BULLOCK CHAMPIONS OVER PORTAL.
20-0.
AND THEN OUR DIVISION II GAME, THE 5-A AND 6-A.
THAT WAS A TRIPLE OVERTIME GAME.
THAT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE GAME TO WATCH.
FUN GAME TO WATCH.
AND THEN YOU JUST US WITHED DIVISION III, CLASS 7-A.
HILLGROVE CAME OUT ON TOP.
DEFEATING MARIETTA 20-6.
WE HAVE TRINITY AND PRUDENCE AVENUE.
THAT IS HAPPENING AT 5:00 P.M.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A FAN TASS TASSFANTASTIC GAME.
IRWIN IS ONE OF FIVE SCHOOLS IN HISTORY TO REACH THE STATE FINALS.
FIVE STRAIGHT TIMES.
AND THEN TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO KICK THINGS OFF AT NOON FOR THE 2-A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
THAT IS FITZGERALD VERSUS THOMASVILLE.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE QUAD-A GAME OF CARTER COLUMBUS.
AND THEN WE'LL FINISH THE EVENING FRIDAY NIGHT.
BUFORD WON 12 TITLES SINCE 2001 INCLUDING THE PAST TWO.
THEN WE HAVE OUR LAST DAY ON SATURDAY.
WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP ALL OF OUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SATURDAY.
11 TOTAL GAMES AND THREE DAYS.
FIRST UP, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CEDAR GROVE VERSUS CARVER ATLANTA.
CARVER LOOKING FOR THE FIRST EVER.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP CHAMPIONSHIP.
THIS IS THE SIXTH SHUTOUT.
YOU CAN VOTE ON AN ALL STAR TEAM.
AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S GIVE IT TO OUR JOHN NELSON WHO IS GOING TO TAKE US THROUGH SOME OFFENSIVE ALL STARS.
>> TIME TIE A LOOK AT THE ALL STARS ON OFFENSE.
A LOT OF OFFENSE WAS ON DISPLAY IN 2021.
TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF QUARTERBACKS.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A PICK SIX HERE.
SAM HORN, HOLDEN FROM BENEDICT AND DAVID DALLAS FROM TRINITY TRISTAN.
THE DUEL THREAT QUARTERBACK FOR 2021.
SINGLETON FROM NORTH COBB.
RUNNING BACK.
ANTONIO MARTIN FROM HUGHES.
ALSTON FROM THE ACADEMY.
BROWN FROM SOUTH ATLANTA.
ROB BROWN FROM TRION AND JORDAN McDONALD FROM FROM MILTON.
JAKE JOHNSON.
OSCAR DEALT FROM WEST.
KEVIN OVERTON FROM MARIETTA.
AT WIDE RECEIVER, LET'S GO EIGHT WIDE FOR THIS ONE.
GIBSON, STOCKTON'S FAVORITE TARGET FROM RAVEN COUNTY.
WALKER FROM WARNER ROBINS.
AND JOSHUA DALLAS FROM TRINITY CHRISTIAN CATCHING PASSES FROM HIS BROTHER.
ON THE OFFENSE YOU HAVE LINE, ADDISON NICHOLS FROM GAC.
BEAU FROM LANGUAGESTON HUGHES.
AND LOCKET FROM WEST LAKE.
YOUR ATHLETES ON THE BOARD, JEFFERSON.
AND ARNOLD FROM BROOKS COUNTY.
YOUR PLACE KICKER IS BROOKS FROM WESLEYAN.
IN PL GEORGIA FOOTBALL FOR 2021.
TRAVIS HUNTER.
THAT'S YOUR GDB ALL STARS ON OFFENSE.
>> JOHN, WHAT A FANTASTIC GROUP OF GUYS.
I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH THEM PLAY THAT MADE IT TO THE STATE TITLE GAME.
LET'S TALK A LITTLE BUTT ABOUT THE GUYS WE JUST SAW.
THE A FEW OF THEM ARE PLAYING IN THE STATE TITLE GAME.
WHO IS MAYBE SOMEONE THAT YOU FEEL LIKE I DON'T KNOW, NEEDS EXTRA LITTLE NOT RECOGNITION.
THE THEY'RE GETTING RECOGNIZED RIGHT NOW.
THAT IS OFFENSE YOU HAVE ALL STARS.
BUT WHO IS SOMEONE YOU FEEL LUKE MAYBE GOT, I DON'T KNOW, WENT UNDER THE RADAR A LITTLE BIT.
>> WOW.
WOW.
THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
I WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU FOLKS THAT HAVEN'T MADE CHAMPIONSHIPS GAMES THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON.
I'LL GIVE YOU ONE.
ONE OF THE QUARTERBACKS FROM BENEDICT AND HEADING TO AUBURN.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIM, I THINK THAT PROBABLY JUST BECAUSE HE WAS OVER ON THE COAST.
HE WAS WITH THE CADETS.
NOT A LOT OF FOLKS GOT SEE HUM ON A REGULAR BASIS.
SO I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOMEONE LIKE A HOLDEN GUERINER NOW ON A STATEWIDE STAGE, EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT HIM BECAUSE OF WHERE HE IS HEADING TO THE NEXT LEVEL, I THINK THAT WHAT W. THAT HIGH POWERED OFFENSE THAT DANNY BRIT HAS, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE THE PRIME EXAMPLE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION.
>> YEAH.
I LOVE THAT.
BENEDICT PUTS UP NUMBERS.
I CAN'T BOUGHT TO WATCH THOSE GUYS PLAY.
HANG TIGHT.
WE'LL GET RIGHT BACK TO YOU ON THE DEFENSE YOU HAVE SUED OF THE BALL.
WE WANT TO ANNOUNCE WHO THE OFFENSE YOU HAVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR S SO DRUM ROLL, PLEASE.
THAT'S GOING OUT TO GUNNER STOCKTON.
QUARTERBACK OUT OF RAVEN COUNTY.
FUTURE GEORGIA BULLDOG.
HE THREW FOR OVER 4,000 YARDS, THREW 55 TOUCHDOWNS AND ONLY ONE PICK.
SO FANTASTIC SEASON.
SO WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH GEARS TO DEFENSE.
WHO ARE THE ALL STARS ARE?
>> TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ALL STARS ON DEFENSE.
>>> AT DEFENSIVE BACK, GO UP AGAINST THIS CORNER COVERAGE.
DIONNE BU .
>> THAT IS YOUR GPB ALL STARS ON DEFENSE IN 2021.
>> W HAD.
OO.
I LOVE IT, JOHN.
OKAY.
SO LAST TIME WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OFFENSE YOU HAVE STARS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE GUYS PLAYING IN THE GAME .
HOW ABOUT THE ONES THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO STATE CHANGE-UP.
WHO CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON?
WHO HAD A STELLAR SOON SEASON?
>> OH, WOW.
>> YEAH.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DEFENSIVE LIST, REALLY YOU LOOK AT SOMEONE LIKE MARCHY REDWOOD FOR COLLINS HILL.
YOU SEE SOMEONE THAT HAS FLOWN BELOW THE RAID AR AND FINALLY GETTING NOTICED.
YOU ASKED GREGORY ABOUT SOMEONE LIKE REDWOOD.
BUT YOU ASK SOMEONE LIKE A LENNY GREGORY ABOUT SOMEONE LIKE OMARE WHO IS JUST LEARNING THE CRAFT AND HAVING THE RUN THAT HE'S HAD TO GET ON TO THIS LIST, YOU ADD TO HIM A FRONT, VICK BURRELLY, WHO IS A JUNIOR.
HE'LL BE A RISING SENIOR AND ALSO OVERTON WHO WE SEE IN THE 7-A TITLE GAME WITH MILTON.
SO YOU GOT GUYS ON THE LIST THAT AREN'T ALL SENIORS THAT ARE MAKING IMPACTS.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS ONE OF THE INTERESTING ASPECTS IN ALL OF THIS.
THIS WAS NOT A FULL SENIOR CLASS THAT WAS IN THIS DEFENSE YOU HAVE LIST.
WHEN YOU HAVE GUYS LIKE BURRELLY AND OVERTON UP FRONT ZBLCHT WE'RE ABOUT TO ANNOUNCE THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
HE IS A JUNIOR.
THAT IS A VERY GREAT POINT BY YOU.
WE CAYDEN McDONALD.
HE MAKES AN IMPACT EVERY WEEK AND A PHENOMENAL TEAM LEADER.
WITH THAT.
WE LEAVE YOU WITH OUR OFFENSE YOU HAVE AND DEFENSIVE ALL STARS IN ADDITION TO OUR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.
ASK AUTO THE PRESENT FLIES TO A JOHNSON MATCH AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER WHO IS A DECOMMIT.
MY GUESS IS WHEREVER THEY END UP, THEY WILL BE A PACKAGE DEAL.
MUCH LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE AT LSU.
>> I LOVE HOW WE GET A GRAMMAR LESSON WITH THAT, JOHN.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO REFRESH UP ON THAT.
>> THAT'S HOW IT WAS.
>> AS YOU AND I BOTH KNOW, THERE ARE ALWAYS WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL STORIES THAT COME THROUGH THE PIPELINE ALL SEASON LONG.
AND ONE OF THE GREATEST STORIES COMES OUT OF THE 2-A CLASSIFICATION.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE?
>> YEAH.
THE OUR NEXT VISIT IS TO BLUE RIDGE.
IT WAS A STORY THAT MADE A LOT OF HEAD WAY AND IT REALLY TOOK OVER GEORGIA WHEN IT CAME TO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HERE IN 2021.
IT'S THE STORY ABOUT TWO PLAYERS FROM FANNON COUNTY WHO ARE BROTHERS BUT NOT IN THE BLOOD SENSE.
IN THE BROTHERHOOD SENSE.
HOW AN INJURE TO ONE AFFECTED NOT JUST HIS BROTHER ON THE FIELD BUT AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
IT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WHAT IT IS, BROTHERHOOD AND FAMILY.
HERE'S THE STORY.
>> HE HAS TO STAY WARM DURING PRACTICE.
LUKE EVERY OTHER QB, A SIMPLE TRIANGLE, THROW, CATCH, TOSS, RETURN.
BUT ONE PARTNER IS A BROTHER IN EVERY SENSE BUT BLOOD OVER HIS SENIOR SEASON IN A NUMBER SHARED.
WAS PLAYING FOR TWO.
>> NO WAY.
>> NO WAY.
>> THEY PUT HIM IN.
THAT ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR FANNON COUNTY SENIOR JACKSON DAVIS.
A PROMISING FINAL YEAR WAS PUT ON STOP IN LATE AUGUST AFTER JACKSON COLLAPSED AT HOME.
>> WHEN I GOT DOWN THERE TO THE BASEMENT, HE WAS TOTALLY NONRESPONSIVE.
ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT WAS MY SON IS DYING IN FRONT OF ME.
AND YOU WENT INTO PANIC MODE.
IT WAS BASICALLY JUST, YOU KNOW, I WOULD PRAY.
ANYTHING THAT CAN RUN THROUGH YOUR HEAD TO SAVE YOUR CHILD, IT WAS JUST TOTAL PANIC.
HE GOT BEST PLAYER FORRAL THOSE AWARDS AND COACH WAS SAYING DURING TRYOUTS, YOU KNOW, HAVE JACKSON READY.
HAVE HIM READY.
THE DIAGNOSIS, BRAIN TUMOR.
JACKSON HAD TO FIGHT BACK AFTER MULTIPLE HOSPITAL VISITS, SEIZURES AND LOSING 25 POUNDS, A SHUNT INSTALLED TO DRAIN FLUID.
>> IT GOES UP.
IT GOES -- THEN THEY DID THE TUCK HERE THROUGH HERE.
>> THE 2021 SEASON SETH HAD AN IDEA, A SWAP THAT SPOKE VOLUMES.
>> HE'S A BROTHER TO ME.
HE'S FAMILY.
HE'S BLOOD.
NO MATTER WHAT.
AND I KNOW HE WOULD DO IT FOR ME.
SO IT WAS THE ONLY THING RIGHT THING TO DO.
>> THE WAY HE PLAYS AND RUNS AND PLAYS HARD FOR ME, I CAN'T PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE HOW GOOD IT MAKES ME FEEL.
I PROMISED I'D TAKE HIM FISHING AND HUNTING.
>> JACKSON, I HEARD YOU CAN'T PLAY.
HE SAID I'M GOING TO WEAR YOUR NUMBER THIS YEAR TO HONOR YOU AND WE JUST STARTING CRYING.
AND IT MEANT A LOT TO US.
BUT HE WOULD DO THAT FOR JACKSON.
AND JACKSON STANDS ONSIDE LINE WITH HIS NUMBER FIVE ON.
TO SHOW WHO HE IS REPRESENTING TOO.
>> BY HUM WEARING 23, IT MEANS SOMETHING.
SETH IS AN AWESOME PLAYER.
HIS NUMBER GETS CALLED OUT A LOT.
FOR THE LONGEST TIME, THEY CALLED OUT JACKSON DAVIS.
FOR A COUPLE GAMES, I STILL GOT TO HEAR JACKSON'S NAME CALLED OUT ON THE FIELD.
WHICH WAS, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A BITTERSWEET.
BUT IT WAS NICE.
>> HE CHASED THE REGION TITLE.
EVERYTHING RODE ON SENIOR NEUTRAL AND SETH MADE SURE EVERYONE KNEW WHAT WAS IN HIS HEART.
>> ALSO, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK JACKSON DAVE US FOR BEING THE BIGGEST UNCONSPIRACIATION, SETH REESE.
>> IT WAS SPECIAL.
ESPECIALLY WALKING IN AND HEARING SETH WHO HIS HERO WAS.
IT HIT HARD.
IT HIT MY HEART.
REALLY HARD.
I ALMOST GOT TEARED UP THAT NIGHT.
>> I WAS SPEECHLESS.
I WAS IN AWE.
I WAS LIKE, WOW.
YOU KNOW?
BECAUSE THAT WAS -- IT'S HUMBLING TO WATCH THE TWO OF THEM.
I THINK IT IS HUMBLED.
BECAUSE JACKSON THINKS OF HIM AS HIS HERO.
BUT IN RETURN, HE IS THE SAME WAY WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH JACKSON.
>> DID YOU NOTICE SOMETHING?
HEAD COACH MADE SURE FOR THE LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME SETH WENT BACK TO FIVE AND JACKSON WAS HEALTHY ENOUGH TO WEAR NUMBER 23 FOR THE COIN TOSS.
>> TO KNOW WHERE YOU'VE COME FROM AND WHAT IT'S TAKEN, YOU'VE BEEN IN THE AMBULANCE ANDS YOU'VE BEEN IN THE, YOU KNOW, BEEN THERE AT THE HELICOPTER AND THEN TO WATCH HIM WALK ON THE FIELD AND TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN A GAME IS JUST THE MOST SATISFYING THING.
IT'S WORTH AN ENTIRE CAREER.
>> IN THE POSTSEASON, HE GOT TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER.
>> NO WAY.
>> NO WAY.
>> THEY PUT HIM IN.
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> IN THE FIRST YOU ROUND WIN, 5 WAS 5 AND 23 WAS 23.
THE STRESS TESTS CAME BACK POSITIVE SO THE LAST SERIES WAS HIS.
>> THE COOLEST AND SCARIEST THING IN MY CAREER.
27, THAT YEAR, 28 YEARS OF DOING THIS AND IT WAS SO SPECIAL E AND TO SEE HIM ON THE FIELD AND TO BE RIGHT THERE, IT'S SO INTENSE.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF JACKSON WAS JUST GOING TO TAKE OFF ON HIS OWN AND GO IN THERE AND WEAR SOMEBODY OUT.
BECAUSE READY TO JUST GRAB HIM.
MAN, THE KID, NUMBER 2, WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
HE RECOGNIZED THE SITUATION.
>> COACH WE WERE AHEAD BIG IN THE GAME.
THE LAST FEW PLAYS HE PUT HIM ON THE SUED LINE AND LETS HIM RUN RECEIVERS.
THREE TIMES.
AND THAT WAS JUST -- IT WAS AMAZING, ECSTATIC MOMENT.
AND HE'LL REMEMBER THAT UNTIL -- FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE, THAT EXPERIENCE HE HAD JUST GETTING OUT ONE LAST TIME.
>> IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO SEE.
I DON'T THINK NUMBER HERE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT.
I THINK EVERYBODY THOUGHT IT WAS OVER.
BUT TO SEE HIM STEP BACK ON THE FIELD, YOU KNOW, IT WAS CRAZY.
>> I COULDN'T PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE.
IT IS A GREAT FEELING.
IT'S LIKE I GET TO BE BACK OUT HEAR ONE MORE TIME.
I HAD MY HEARTBEATING LIKE IT USED TO.
JUST WHEN I USED TO GET OUT THERE AND RUN THE FOOTBALL.
AND I JUST FELT GREAT TO ME.
>> FOR A CHANCE BEING FRONT AND CENTER, TWO YOUNG MEN BEING THERE AS A COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND A FAMILY IF NEED, THE OWN FAMILY OF THE HEART ADDS MORE SEATS AT THE TABLE.
>> I DO IT FOR MY CHILDREN, MY BOYS.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I CAN SUMMIT UP.
SUM IT UP.
>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, BIG SHOUTOUT TO MIKE THOMAS AND WES NICKELS WHO HELPED PUT THAT PIECE TOGETHER.
A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE THERE AT THE FANNON COUNTY AND THE FANNON FAMILY FRONT TO BACK AND JACKSON'S FAMILY, MOM, DAD, SISTER, EVERYBODY THAT WAS THERE.
SETH, BY THE WAY, NICKY ONE OTHER NOTE INVOLVING SETH REESE BEFORE I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.
SETH WAS ONE OF OUR MACH THAT KID AN OFFER SEGMENT THAT'S WE HAD ON RECRUITING 2021 AFTER HE WAS ON RECRUITING 2021, THE SERVICE ACADEMY CAME CALLING.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS HEADING TO ARM WHY YOU TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN THE NEXT ROUND.
BUT THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYBODY THERE AT FANNON COUNTY FOR A TREMENDOUS STORY INVOLVING ONE OF THEIR OWN.
NICK, BACK TO YOU.
>> UNBELIEVABLE.
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STORY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT US WITH, JOHN.
WE'LL HAVE MORE FOR YOU RIGHT HERE ON GPB.
DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
STUCK WITH US.
STICK WITH US.
>>> WELCOME BACK TO STUDIO J IN OUR GPB STUDIOS.
IT'S ALMOST GAME TIME BETWEEN TRINITY CHRISTIAN AND PRINCE AVENUE.
THE GHSA HOSTS MEDIA DAY EVERY YEAR.
AND OUR OWN HANNAH GOODEN GOT TO SIT DOWN WITH TRINITY CHRISTIAN'S HEAD COACH KENNY DALLAS.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANT TO BE ON THIS DATE.
NOWHERE ELSE THEY WOULD RATHER BE THAN RIGHT HERE.
>> THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 11 YEARS.
THIS IS YOUR FIFTH YEAR AS A HEAD COACH.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO GET TO GREATNESS SO QUICKLY?
>> WELL, I -- WE HAVE TWO WORDS.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT.
WE HAVE 12 GRADUATING CLASSES AT TRINITY.
THIS IS OUR FOURTH YEAR IN THE GHSA.
VERY FORTUNATE TO BE HERE TWO YEARS IN A ROW.
WE GOT TWO WORDS.
NOW WE RUN A HUE TEMPO OFFENSE.
WE'RE AGGRESS YOU HAVE ON DEFENSE.
WE TELL PEOPLE OUR KIND OF SECRET FORMULA IS TWO WORDS.
WE SAY PREPARATION AND BROTHERHOOD.
PREPARATION IS JUST SIMPLY HARD WORK.
WE WANT TO BE THE HARDEST WORKING TEAM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET UP EVERY DAY AND EARN IT.
WE SAW CHAMPIONS ARE BUILT WHEN WE PRIDE OUR SELF ON HOW WE WORK WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING IN IN THE WEIGHT ROOM, WORKING ON GRADES, WORKING IN THE FILM ROOM, ALL OF THAT STUFF.
SO HARD WORK IS THE FIRST.
AND THE SECOND PART IS BROTHERHOOD.
PREPARATION BROTHERHOOD.
THAT IS SIMPLY LOVE.
WE WANT TO LOVE DEEPER THAN ANY TEAM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
I LOVE OUR SCHEMES AND Xs AND Os, BUT THE HEART WHO HAVE TRINITY FOOTBALL IS HARD WORK AND LOVE.
>> YOU GOT ONE MORE GAME LEFT.
CHASING YOUR FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
SHORT SCHOOL HISTORY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE?
>> OH, MY GOODNESS.
IT'S GOING TAKE AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT ON OUR PART.
THEY'RE AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM.
LED BY AN OUTSTANDING COACH.
THEY HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FINAL FOUR TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
BUT FOR US, IT'S JUST A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FOCUS ON OUR SELF.
WE SAY ALL THE TIME, OUR OPPONENT IS NOT OUR ENEMY.
THE WE BELIEVE PROVERBS.
IRON SHARPENS IRON.
IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FOCUS ON TRINITY FOOTBALL THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.
WE'LL PLAY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE REPS. WE'LL ONE THE NEXT SNAP AND THEN LOOK AT THE SCORE AT THE END.
>> JOHN, I LOVE HOW CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTED COACH DALLAS IS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOW DOES TRINITY GO 14-0, THEY'RE 13-0 RIGHT NOW.
>> TO BE HONEST, I THINK IT'S DO WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING.
IT'S INTERESTING IN THIS GAME IF YOU COMPARE IT TO LAST YEAR.
WE'LL CATCH UP WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THINGS IN A LITTLE BIT.
HE WAS THE DECIDING FAVORITE.
AND SO NOW THIS YEAR TRINITY CHRISTIAN IS NUMBER ONE.
TOP OF THE CHARTS EVERY SINGLE WEEK.
AND THEY HAVE PUT UP SOME IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS OFFENSIVELY.
ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING.
I KNOW THAT SOUNDS INCREDIBLY SIMPLISTIC.
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AS MANY DALLASES WHO ARE AS IN TUNE AS THEY ALL ARE PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS THAT THEY HAVE, BASICALLY, ALL RIGHT, TRY AND STOP US.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT STUD WHY YOU HALL HAS BEEN FOR PRINCE AVENUE THIS ENTOUR WEEK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO CALM DOWN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST OFFENSES THAT WE'VE SEEN THIS SEASON, NICK AND GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.
>> COACH DALLAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT THEIR POSTURE, IF YOU WILL.
AND THEIR DEMEANOR.
MAYBE THEIR OVERALL IDENTITY.
DID HE NOT MENTION Xs AND Os.
BUT WE GOT -- [ NO AUDIO ] BROUGHT HIM IN TO WORK OUT.
YOU KNOW, AARON BOUGHT INTO THAT.
WATCHED HIM AND HE STEPPED INTO HIS SHOES.
HE DID THE EXACT SAME THING.
RIGHT NOW HE LEADS THE STATE IN PASSING.
>> WOW THAT, IS AWESOME.
WHAT A GOOD ROLE MODEL HE HAD.
>> TALK ABOUT YOUR PATH TO THE PLAYOFFS AS A ONE SEED.
>> WE GOT A FOR FORFEIT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIST RICH.
>> WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR IT.
WE DIDN'T WANT THAT.
SO WE WERE THE FIRST ONE OUT.
THE SECOND WEEK WE PLAYED OUT OF COLUMBUS.
WE JUMPED ON THEM.
WE WERE THIRSTY.
WE JUST PLAYED THREE GAMES IN FIVE WEEKS.
SO WE WERE ANXIOUS TO GET IN THE PLAYOFFS AND PLAY.
WE NEEDED TO KNOCK THE REST OFF.
WE CAME OUT SWINGING ON THAT ONE.
THIRD GAME WAS FPD DOWN IN MACON, YOU KNOW, GOING ON THE ROAD.
TOUGH MATCHUP.
REALLY GOOD TEAM.
VERY TALENTED.
KIDS CAME OUT.
PLAYED HARD AGAIN.
JUST THEY CONTINUE TO SURPRISE US.
JUST TO BE HONEST.
THEY CONTINUE TO STEP UP WEEK AFTER WEEK.
LAST FRIDAY NEUTRAL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS FELLOWSHIP AT FELLOWSHIP.
SO ANOTHER ON THE ROAD GAME.
AGAIN, REALLY GOOD COACHING STAFF THERE.
AND JOHN THOMPSON AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB.
SO WE WERE JUST VERY FORTUNATE TO GET OUT AND GET A ONE.
AGAIN, EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.
.
>> ONE MORE GAME LEFT.
YOU'LL BE FACING TRINITY CHRISTIAN.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO BEAT THEM?
>> ROLE REVERSAL THIS YEAR.
THEY'RE A SENIOR LAIDEN TEAM.
I KNOW THEY'RE FEELING PRESSURE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE JUST GOT GO OUT THERE AND KEEP PLAYING HARD AND WELL.
AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE BIG PLAYS TO WIN.
I THINK IT WILL BE MORE OF A SHOOTOUT THAN AN OLD SCHOOL 10-7 BALL GAME.
WE'RE GOING FIRE AT THEM AND HAVE SOME FUN.
>> LOVE COACH VANDERGRIF.
PRINCE AVENUE IS A PASS HEAVY TEAM.
IS THAT GOING TO HELP OR SNURT.
>> I THINK TURNS INTO A SHOOT YOUCHLT I THINK WE MIGHT BE HERE ALL NIGHT FIRST AND FOREMOST.
WE HAVE BROOKS AND IRWIN COMING UP BEHIND THAT ONE.
I THINK THAT ONCE AGAIN WE GO BACK TO THE PREMISE OF WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK.
I THAT I IF YOU TURN THIS INTO ARENA FOOTBALL, YOU TURN THIS INTO A SHOOTOUT, YOU TRY TO TIRE OUT THE DEFENSE WHICH MIGHT BE THE PLAY HERE TO TRY TO SUT SIT THERE AND FIGURE OUT THE WEAKNESSES.
THE TURN THIS SOMETHING INTO THAT GOES END TO END AND SOMETHING THAT MATCHES THE 93 POINTS THAT WERE SCORED LAST WEEK WITH EAGLES LANDING CHRISTIAN AND TRINITY THAT, MUTE BE THE WAY TO GO.
BUT LET ME GIVE YOU THE OTHER SIDE TO THIS.
LET'S SAY PRINCE AVENUE TRIES TO TAKE THE AIR OUT OF THE BALL TO MAKE SURE THAT TRINITY DOESN'T GET THE OFFENSE ON THE FIELD.
AND THEY ARE, I THINK, 70 YARDS AWAY FROM HAVING THREE RECEIVERS NORTH OF 1,000 YARDS RECEIVING THIS YEAR.
SO NOW THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IT POSSIBLY BEING ARENA FOOTBALL, LET'S GO TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THINGS.
DO THEY SLOW THINGS DOWN?
DO THEY TRY WORK THE CLOCK?
DO THEY TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT TRINITY STAYS OFF THE FIELD?
IT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION THAT ONLY COACH VANDERGRIFF CAN ANSWER HERE.
I THINK BOTH ARE EQUALLY PLAUSIBLE.
IT COMES DOWN TO WHICH ONE OF THESE PHILOSOPHIES PRINCE AVENUE FEELS THEY'RE MOST COMFORTABLE DOING WITH WHO THEY ARE.
BEING PASS HEAVY, MAYBE IT'S DINK AND DUNK.
TREATING EVERY PLAY AS A RUNNING PLAY.
YOU FIND THE OPEN RECEIVER, YOU GET THREE REGARDS.
YOU DO THAT THREE TOMBS.
YOU GET TEN FEET EACH TIME.
IT'S A FIRST DOWN.
MOVE THE STICKS.
THAT'S ANOTHER 2:20 OFF THE CLOCK.
THAT CAN BE HOW DO YOU THINGS.
IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING CHESS MATCH WITH THESE TWO.
>> THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO PUT IT.
CHESS MATCH.
ROLE REVERSAL.
COACH VANDERGRIFF, HOW COULD HE BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER THIS EVENING?
>> LIGHTING IT UP.
BEING WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM HIM ALL SEASON LONG.
I THINK IN AS MUCH AS WE TALK ABOUT THIS BEING A SHOW CAUSE FOR THE DALLAS FAMILY, WHEN IT COMES TO TRINITY, THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE SHOW CAUSES FOR A YOUNG QUARTERBACK IN AARON FILO AND PRINCE AVENUE.
IF HE WASN'T ON THE RADAR OF TEAMS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, USING RECRUITING 2021 VERBAGE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, LOOKING AT THE TOP QUARTERBACKS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, REGARDLESS OF CLASSIFICATION AND REGARDLESS OF CLASS THAT YOU'RE IN, A LOT OF EYEBALLS COULD BE ON HIM TONIGHT.
HOW DOES HE SHOW UP UNDER THE LIGHT HERE'S AT CENTER PARK IN A GAME THAT IS THE LAST ONE OF THE YEAR THAT DECIDES DO YOU GO BACK TO BACK OR RUNNER UP?
>> THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME, JOHN NELSON.
WE'RE GOING FIND OUT.
>> WHERE IS THE ORGAN MUSIC.
>> WE'VE BEEN CHATTY KATHIES FOR AN HOUR NOW SINCE THE LAST GAME ENDED.
LET'S LOOK AT THE FIRST THREE STATE CHAMPIONS THAT WE CROWNED.
>> GO FOR IT.
>> LET'S LOOK AT THE GAME FROM EARLIER IN THE DAY.
FIRST GAME OF THE DAY, OUR FIRST FLAG FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WIN WENT TO SOUTHEAST BULLOCK.
20-0 OVER PORTAL.
THEY REMAIN UNDEFEATED ON THE SEASON.
THEY HAD A KILLER YEAR.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE DIVISION II MATCHUP, THE 5-A AND 6-A.
THIS WAS A FANTASTIC FINISH.
DODGE COUNTY CAME OUT ON TOP.
THIS WENT TO TRIPLE OVERTIME.
THERE WAS A LOT OF SPEED AND SOME STRONG, STRONG DEFENSE.
SHE SEALED THE DEAL.
A FUN GAME TO WATCH.
THEN THE GAME WE JUST FINISH OF HILLGROVE THAT CAME OUT VICTORIOUS AFTER LOSING LAST YEAR.
THEY DEFEATED MARIETTA.
THE AREA RIVAL.
THEY WENT ON TO WIN 17-1 ON THE SEASON.
COMING UP, WE HAVE THE SINGLE A PRIVATE GAME.
THAT IS ON DECK.
KICK IS AT 5:00 P.M. TRINITY VERSE PRINCE AVENUE.
IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN HEARING FROM THE COACHES AND TALKING ABOUT THIS GAME.
JOHN?
ARE YOU READY FOR IT OR WHAT?
>> HANG ON JUST A SECOND.
LET ME DO ANOTHER ONE.
YEAH.
YEAH.
WE'RE READY.
LET'S GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT -- LET'S TALK ABOUT FLAG FOOTBALL FOR A LITTLE BIT.
>> WE GOT TO TALK TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION ABOUT HOW THE STATE OF GEORGIA IS AT THE FOREFRONT FOR BRINGING FLAG FOOTBALL INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP UMBRELLA.
YOU LOOK AT HOW IN THE FIRST GAME YOU HAD PORTAL MAKING IT SO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.
AND OBVIOUSLY THE DEPTH WAS TESTED ESPECIALLY AT CENTER.
THEY WERE TRYING TO MOUNT A COMEBACK.
BUT TO GET TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW FOR THEM IS BIG.
FOR THEM TO GET TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR IS HUGE.
YOU LOOK AT THOSE TWO CASE STUDIES, IT MEANS A LOT IN GENERAL WHEN YOU HAVE A SINGLE A SCHOOL LIKE PORTAL AND A SOUTHEAST BULLOCK CLASING AFTER THE SAME CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE SINGLE THROUGH QUAD SAYS GREAT THINGS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING THERE IN THE WESTERN FRONTIER.
THEN IN THE SECOND GAME, DODGE COUNTY, WE KNOW WHAT FOOTBALL MEANS TO DODGE COUNTY AND TO EASTMAN.
ALL OF THE DEEP RUNS AND THE PLAYOFFS THAT WE'VE SEEN FROM COACHES LIKE REX WORKING DOWN THE LINE.
AND GETTING NOW HERE IN FLAG FOOTBALL TAKING HOME A CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST THE SPRUNG SPRING SIDE THAT WAS DOING IT EARLY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PROGRAM.
THAT SPEAKS A LOT FOR WHAT WE'RE SEEING OUT OF SPRINGS THERE AS WELL.
FANTASTIC.
THEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST GAME.
YOU HAVE A QUARTERBACK THAT IS AS SHIFTY AS THE ONE YOU HAVE THAT DID REALLY TURN DEFENSES AROUND IN AS MUCH AS WE SAW WITH HILLGROVE.
GREAT FOR HILLGROVE TO SIT THERE AND COME TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR AND GO THAT EXTRA STEP LIKE WE SAID IN THE TROPHY PRESENTATION.
YOU MADE IT TO THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR LOSING IN THIS OVERTIME ON THE LAST PLAY.
COMING IN, YOU'RE IN COMPLETE CONTROL.
YOU BEAT MARIETTA THREE TIMES IN ONE SEASON.
YOU HAD THE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE OPEN SUGGESTION.
BUT STRONG WORK FROM HILLGROVE.
GREAT TO SEE FLAG FOOTBALL OUT HERE AS WELL AND TO SEE THE SUPPORT THAT WE'VE SEEN FROM EACH OF THE SIX COMMUNITIES ATTACHED TO EACH OF THESE SCHOOLS.
FANTASTIC TO SEE IT.
AND I THINK THAT COACH HEINZ IS RIGHT.
YOU COULD SEE EACH INDIVIDUAL CLASSIFICATION IN SHORT ORDER HAVE FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
>> I WAS GOING TO BRING THAT UP.
YOU MENTION THE COMMUNITY.
SO FUN WATCHING HILLGROVE RUSH THE FIELD FOR THAT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
GEORGIA IS ONE OF FIVE STATES THAT HAVE FLAG FOOTBALL FOR THE LADIES AS A STATE CHANGE-UP.
WILEY WAS TALKING ABOUT IT EARLIER.
THE AMOUNT OF SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM INTO THEIR ATHLETICS, IT CONTINUES TO DOUBLE TRIPLE.
HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR FLAG FOOTBALL IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW?
DO YOU SEE WE'LL SEE A REALISTIC CLASSIFICATION IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?
IS THAT WHERE WE'RE HEADING?
IS.
>> I THINK SO.
I THINK THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF SCHOOLS THAT WERE ENGAGED, YOU HAD NORTH OF 100 SCHOOLS I THINK LAST YEAR.
BUT ONCE AGAIN COVID-19 CONCERNS KEPT IT TO THAT NUMBER.
THEN YOU HAD THE TWO CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.
THEY WERE FULL BRACKETS.
YOU HAD TWO FULL BRACKETS OF TEAMS MAKING THEIR WAY HERE TO CENTER PARK.
THIS YEAR WITH MORE THAN 200, YOU HAD THE THREE BLAKTS.
BRACKETS.
IT MAKES SENSE.
YOU MIGHT HAVE A COUPLE OF FLAG FOOTBALL ON DAY ONE.
SOME ON DAY TWO AND SOME ON DAY THREE AS THE BRIDGE TO GET KNEW THE TACKLE FOOTBALL ASPECT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
IT MAKES SENSE AS YOU TOWN ADD CLASSIFICATION THAT'S THEY'RE A PART OF THIS AS WELL.
NOT JUST ON DAY ONE AS WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW, BUT POSSIBLY BUDGETED THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEKEND.
SO EACH AND EVERY CLASSIFICATION WHEN IT COMES TO FLAG FOOTBALL GETS THEIR OPPORTUNITIES ON EACH AND EVERY DAY.
AND YOU'RE NOT JUST STACKED IN ONE SIDE AND ONE COLUMN FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND.
>> IT'S GROWING AND IT IS SO FUN TO WATCH.
JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH AS ALWAYS.
THE LADIES, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM.
WE HAVE GOT A GREAT GAME COMING UP FOR YOU.
IT IS THE CLASS SINGLE A PRIVATE TRINITY CHRISTIAN VERSUS PRINCE AVENUE.
IT IS COMING UP.
THE KICK IS AT 5:00 P.M. YOU CAN WATCH US OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.
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WE'LL SEE YOU REAL SOON AT HALFTIME RIGHT HERE ON GPB.
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