But then one of football's greatest traditions.

What a beautiful national anthem.

GHC football Championships on GPB.

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium all week and more to come from them today.

Hey everyone, I made a good It's championship coverage.

we've had some really fun things happen this week.

Christian and bowed in one again.

Perry and Stockbridge, face each other.

Yesterday.

to Houston County.

today.

three title game between Pope and Altoona.

Both teams looking to make school history.

the boys turn in triple-A for the first time ever.

third championship appearance in a row.

They won it all in 2021 at 4:00 and 5/8.

Coffey versus Creekside.

number one and two ranked teams this year.

it's the much anticipated showdown between Milton and Walton.

just 11 and a half miles apart.

and it's going to be rocking.

and John will be on the sidelines.

I'm up here on the set.

for another great girls started.

John.

Thank you very much, Hannah.

Good morning.

are small here at JPG Borg Borgen, County schools met about six weeks ago for the Altoona Bucks.

It was one of those they got to ask themselves.

in, players coming out, how do we want to handle a loss?

By 33 points.

It was 42 seven.

It was 26.

Nothing before anybody blinked.

How did they answer the bell?

for Pope.

that has been on offense.

Offense and offense.

less only three times.

they haven't cleared that number.

seven six Blessed Trinity kind of ground.

but Pope made it to the last game of the year.

number 17 nationally.

What happens?

floor.

and Dave Reynolds.

Take it away.

with a better matchup, a couple of top in the Division three state championship, Greyhounds, the Altoona Buccaneers.

alongside our flag guru Dave Reynolds.

John talked about it.

first meeting a month and a half ago.

that type of margin again, do you?

Yeah.

This is championship wins here.

Day three, throw out 4 to 7.

Nobody remembers that anymore.

The semifinals gets over getting better every single time.

semifinal quarterfinal appearances.

Louisville today they call her, oh, gosh, she's a two way star.

she's put up some ridiculous numbers.

Yeah, absolutely.

whereas here, sometimes running back 28 touchdowns.

Really shifty here.

Phenomenal defender Look out for number 13 today.

at their quarterback spot Macy Strickland she might have the strongest arm Yeah funny stat gurus out there 70 touchdown cannon for as we wrap up 2023 out of number seven Macy Strickland flag football viewers out there between flag and tackle football?

long and 40 yards wide.

First down will be achieved which are fixed 20 yards apart.

Big rule change here.

running clock into to the last 2 minutes of each.

clock will start slowly attacking football and so forth.

Elswick has a four pass today, so expect the center to get involved.

football, the non-contact contact sport.

of initiating contact with our opponent.

The Altoona Buccaneers coach Jordan Davis in his fourth season.

This is the first time he's been on the sideline since his sophomore year of high school coach Kevin Frazier an assistant on staff.

at the age of 12. and now has a chance to lead Pope championship division three state final.

And then off we go.

Quarterback Riley Benjamin gets a complete.

Out to Kay Davenport.

the flag might have been pulled, but they will say she got the pass away and a gain of five yards.

It's second down and one to stay in the pocket right there.

right there almost pulling the flag.

And we teased Macy Stricklin.

But Benson this year.

That pass falls incomplete.

A look at in the starting lineup.

Jaisal H. And Carli.

The only games Pop has lost that Carly Oops has not played.

Nixon and Faith Stokes.

Kate Davenport as well.

and it's a good snap to the right side.

and it is enough for a first down.

first touch gets a first down direction.

That right there really close to the line.

The game for the fans at home.

We are not going to use video review they're so out of tune look there balls extended brings it a long There's no kickoffs it's after a score at the start of a half every 20 yards means a new set of downs But that falls to the ground Strickland.

Linebacker should be on that bit.

Quarterback when Altoona gets possession football.

not a live ball, it's a dead ball.

4000 yards looking for touchdown pass number 70 today So second down and about 22 is the throw and a late flag comes out bottom in the area of pass interference You think Yeah like contact there defense ten yard penalty replay.

Sheldon Smith.

football are very similar, right?

Yeah.

You know, maybe going for the ball there.

there.

And again, non-contact contact sport.

but not initiating contact.

We'll replay that down here.

Second and seven line gains for Kennedy.

Austin called for the penalty and now a quick rush.

It was the flag pulled.

Jasmine Barnes like lightning about her expendable speed up front first year player, very aggressive.

no blockers left to protect Ben Smith.

play and Barnes just too fast.

Yeah.

a lot of movement, right there.

Love the guy, a little girl.

a loss of five yards third and 12 Barnes men and she sacked again Jasmine Barnes.

that she pulled the flag in time ruled incomplete.

because elected to kick in the quarterback's 3000 yards here 4000 yards there.

Good teams have the girl up front.

You can apply that pressure right there Barnes says I don't care I go around you that flag from faith Stokes and it is dropped you can feel a punt that's live if you do not secure it, it's a dead ball.

she has possession, she's going back up.

Field just drops.

It might be a little nerves right there.

Pretty good offensive play right there.

Drop the ball in open space.

touchdowns.

Macy Strickland.

yards on an 80 yard flag football field accounts for a lot Strickland over the middle hands from the center Hazel Schultz and a look at the starters for Altoona on offense Kiki Daniels E a couple the top targets Sophia settle and Kelsey Grindley for Kinsley really a bigger pardon and Hazel Schulz there at Center Strickland rolling but she connects it that Hazel Schulz a four year starter for Altoona out her senior season good quarterbacks can do that roll direct a little back foot throw there that beautiful to watch.

and 4000 yards again like you mentioned and also distance than tackle football.

in a shortened season.

to the year that time overshooting her intended target E for Fleet.

Faith Stokes Mack Olivia O'Connor along with Leland Nixon.

And they're in the secondary.

sister of quarterback Riley, Benjamin a two way player with Sarah Gentry, at that safety spot.

the pass is batted down.

Faith stokes the offense is elected to play and Altoona one yard to get to the next zone The game.

We talked about it all week.

Wiley Right.

So even if the offense doesn't its turnover down a long first 19. head coach from Maclin, Georgia.

They'll try and run it ahead.

The flag has not been pulled yet.

They use the long lanky Meyer there to stretch it over into the zone to can she, Coach Davis.

Just keep run it play to the whistle.

Play the whistle, play the whistle.

You know, Coach talked about a coach.

if I get that a fourth than a short, even on the monster of the field and we see it right here fourth down opening possession for Altoona pitches it back it's off the hands and that ball will be spotted for a loss that's a pretty significant loss.

One more look Yeah.

Nice job right there.

in front of you post going east to rusher way more of a spy and right there drawing away from the passing arm in front of you Nice job right there and now second down and 26 Strickland completes it too easy for Flynn It'll still be third down and long.

they're in a third and long situation, but than their prior meeting.

in the first quarter in a hurry.

Again, big lights, big stage here.

this year on the field, 40 to 7.

That's no longer a thought process.

Strickland, looking for the play calls.

They stack a couple of receivers and they'll go to the back receiver.

It is complete and just the line to gain.

I believe it'll depend on the spot.

Aubrey Moore, great running catch Mike in flag guarding here.

Yeah we do have a flag down I'll describe that in a second.

Flag guarding offense, ten yard penalty replay, third down.

So, Dave, what constitutes flag art?

So by definition, fall here while, okay, and that's really deep by the rules.

kind of down by the flag.

Bill maybe a dip by the shoulder.

pull my flag flat guarding.

I tell you what, we got on staff here.

Well done.

I learn from the best.

Why, thank you for having me.

So that points out of like and Altoona is going to kick it here punting or going to go for and then punt.

there in flag football.

So the punt coming from Julia DeVaughn, and a pretty good strike.

line of this 80 yard field by Khalil.

Oops.

And a nice pull in pursuit.

And that'll take us a ten minute running clock.

Each team with one possession and so far with a at the end of the first quarter, Altoona and Pope of the Jewish state championships.

no score and the flag football final please don't forget to wear your seatbelt.

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A pope in squaring off in the state final.

No score through 10 minutes of play.

on this Wednesday morning.

And a look inside the pope huddle.

they do a lot of pitch activity, terms would be a bunch of laterals.

Right.

That's the idea.

And the penalty for that the ground, it's a dead ball.

again over the past couple of years.

reasons pope's offense is so effective.

Your high level offense is pitching catch.

and invite the defense right up in go over the top offensively, a lot of options.

You know, Pope has because they're able to pitch and catch.

of that playbook.

where in 14 she has started every game and they're three years now a senior tips and batted away by Strickland and a look at the Altoona defense here field at the rusher spot.

Macy Strickland playing both ways with the good instincts.

And then Kiki Daniels, terrific athlete.

side of the corner spot and at safety if Flynn so second down not going to get there.

That was a rush from Gazelle Aiken.

She'll be playing in on the soccer field transition plays right there, obviously.

that is to have one rusher a middle linebacker, so that we can get pressure up long as you slow down the pope offense.

with one that can be a difference maker as it's now fit ahead.

What a snag.

One handed.

Oh man.

Layla Nixon.

Check out those gloves.

She's got four hands.

That's a highlight play.

also out here for the pope squad.

that just reads out there.

And just give me that flag down.

Yeah, we so pass interference there on the defense.

That'll move it up to the 28 yard we're playing in 100 yard tackle field the field aren't entirely accurate.

and catching here.

finally yanks loose by Eva Flynn.

But Kate Davenport from a center spot good pitching catch, pitching, catch.

But you catch good paid relationships.

Still looking for that next pitch option.

no matter where they start.

is going to be a part of the offense on this pitch and catch.

move there with the football.

So second midfield.

It's pitch perfect.

Olivia O'Connor spinning ahead before she stops just shy of the 35.

And again, those are new to flag football.

probably pulled right there at the line.

five more yards to and be there to make the flag.

she had the first down.

Why bother pitching it?

where it's going to be first and 19 or at trying to get to first and 15.

Again, it just sets up the defense, right?

that they're playing their person and they're being disciplined.

are going to challenge the defense.

Ben's been out on a screen to O'Connor Fuchs with the reach and pull And look, the challenge coming into play today.

pull flags and that first opportunity.

Yeah you don't pull flags the next flag boards ten yards away.

a multi facet of that offense pull that first flag after a one yard gain and a direct snap little pop pass and a pitch back now they will say and so it winds up in the hands of Abby Benjamin Again, offensively is beautiful.

keeping up with who gets yards here.

rhythm here sharp in the next down a little bit here for the greyhounds.

why we've got to get the best of the city.

Kevin Barnes running our stats today.

Riley Benjamin, a dangerous pass jarred loose by Flynn.

but incidental dig Yeah I'm good with no no foul there right right and just waiting for the first down there.

But again try to go how talented of a quarterback incompletion is fourth and seven.

and 30 yard line and pope talking about it right now.

What they want to do with a 7 seconds on the play clock, they take it away the game and punt here Mark all the time out here.

outs per game, so I'm out.

Get the call.

Correct.

you're down here again.

You're on the plus side of the field.

Fourth and seven.

call on the field.

by stalling on the plus side of the field, the pope, greyhounds and the third year of flag football.

blessed Trinity knocking them out to get to this game this year.

the score there against beat right came down to an unsuccessful try.

had numbered their placement on the heels to get over the top, it was an emotional win for pope.

all day Friday, really reveling in it.

was this year, play first to round two on Tuesday.

semifinal quarters fourth down there.

athletes across the state.

Last week.

going for it.

We got to get to the painted 30 yard line.

Benjamin going for much more than that.

She's got a receiver open touchdown a go round from the Livio cutter with the score her 20th touchdown catch of the year a 27 yard strike there Knows where we're going.

One on one match up.

Speed on speed right there.

Little double move there.

though.

Maybe a little too much there.

Very talented cornerback there.

Just a little lacrosse to talk about.

A dime two from Riley Benjamin.

from the three yard line.

Benjamin dropping back.

shy of the goal line.

Good hands from Kennedy Austin.

And that's a key point.

He's missing a lot of competitive match up here week overtime game yesterday.

when you can especially in flag football goals.

Three point kick.

We don't have any of that here.

Isaac.

stop right there for the Buccaneers, give it up the score, and six for their own 14. incomplete and a stretch from Aubrey Moore.

for a first down out to the 24 yard line you have two more quarterbacks back there.

set right there.

Spread the field.

There's athletes on both sides of the ball for both teams.

there.

Mixing up a little thought there.

Three minute mark pope, a six nothing lead.

if she and the Buccaneers can tie it up going in to half and the pass and it will fall to the ground.

Great hands.

That's her second breakup today.

She's had from point blank some balls down and pass it down.

They're fierce competitor.

how do you stop a 4000 yard quarterback lane right there Nice job by the rusher it back looking for the double pass she inbounds Yes what a catch Ethel Flynn to get a five approaching the two minute warning here and it looks like Altoona will take the two minute warning because Jordan Davis big third down coming up as the clock stops and here we go, tight formation.

Strickland gets it away.

It's complete that time.

first catch of the game.

in that semifinal win against Sequoyah.

offensively for the Buccaneers.

Just find the open person.

right there for the senior wide receiver.

now run the play and bounce a first down south clock and keep it moving.

So first down and 11 set the game clock to 2 minutes.

Oh, we're going to add 13 seconds there.

I'm not sure if that was the right call.

I don't know.

This pass deflected in the air.

It looks like Hazel Schulz call There.

Yeah.

So show me this double passed it.

So this one is backwards.

Yep.

There we go.

Boom.

First one is back.

No question about that.

Second one score.

So just like tackle football, per play, just tackle football.

You can have as many backdoor passes behind the scrimmage.

So a little extra time here for an Altoona is that pass was complete to Aubrey Moore and now it's me third down and two and plenty of time But you don't want to be too deliberate with the clock here coming in with the play call.

Yeah, it's Lyla Paradiso empty backfield for Strickland.

Here comes the rush over the middle and it's off the hands.

quicker than she thought it was going to.

And now fourth down and two on that row who wanted to play by receiver.

nice up on a pressure up front that issue a little bit there.

here on fourth down, in this first half.

zone.

Got to get to the paint at 30 and it's down by Flynn Touchdown 20 right at the scene She had her head turned around that time from one play to the next which is good.

High quality teams do make adjustments last time you make the adjustment.

Next play nice play nice play.

right on time, high points, outruns the great down to the end zone going for the one extra point Great hands from Ava Glass high points it an Altoona lead 7 to 6 Nice response right there calm collective into the half didn't have to burn time so kudos to coach coordinator just wide up top.

but number 12 there between the receiver to pick up the extra point now Pope with a minute 13 seconds pass is complete to O'Connor that will be enough short of the first down under a minute why are they not using them.

for the entire game to wrap up the first half.

Benjamin a shot complete Leland Nixon that that's what you know catching the ball or two well done seven plays 76 yards and drive there in the second quarter 18 yard catch there from Leland Nixon Benjamin rolling to the right and the pitch falls to the ground and the clock will run.

nice IQ right there by the center.

right on top of her.

to get on the edge and a spike to stop the clock you know, for your for your centers.

or the fastest on the field but deftly and whereby he is on the field we can get that seven person involved your point high IQ she's the point guard quarterback behind Ben Smith.

So a tight formation, 16 seconds.

They got to get to midfield for a first and a lob pass and the clock will run.

Strickland pulls the flag.

He can couldn't get out of bounds.

5 seconds on fourth down.

They've got to go and that will be the half.

those two timeouts.

halftime.

Davis momentarily.

But we saw zeros in the first quarter scoring drives in the second.

drive for pope to give them a six nothing lead, but Altoona responds.

Jordan Davis.

Thank you very much.

You saw the seam route.

It was open speed.

Took care of the rest.

Yes, absolutely.

a lot this year for us.

works up the middle, and she's great.

and accelerate away.

in the momentum of this game right now.

Yes, sir.

holding them to that one score early on.

and you clamped down ever since.

We did.

I mean, made a mistake on defense.

on us, on the outside.

we've been a much better we played them and it's been huge.

And the obviously the motion we're handling it a lot better today.

Thanks for your time.

Thank you.

and that has been the difference.

six here at the break under the big top, a big fourth down score for them.

the Bucks responded in kind.

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presented by Regions.

Get back in the game with the regions.

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at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

GHC Boys and Girls Championships three flag football game between Pope and Altoona.

so far on Georgia's EMC scoreboard.

EMC is so much more than electricity.

Altoona seven, Pope six.

are in the final game of the year.

the greyhounds had not allowed until the semifinals.

They won that 176. what happens in the second half.

to the Buccaneers.

will have to be on fire in the second if they want to win this one.

It's time for our Georgia players.

you save it pharmacy.

a young gymnast, Jocelyn Jackson.

I just 15 years old.

she's already a level ten gymnast.

Here's her story.

Jocelyn is she's always been that that she could do anything, being a level it was really hard to get here.

a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

These girls spend 20 to 30 hours a week just practicing.

on all of your success early on.

And thank you.

for another great spotlight.

Okay.

tackle game of the day.

Cedar Grove.

head of school, Jeff Plunk.

Jeff, here, find us and sit on the set with me.

Thank you.

We're very excited to be here.

How has the experience been so far?

I know you guys just walked in the door.

What's it feel like to be here in the.

Ben?

It's great.

It's great.

last night because we drove up and spent the night.

and kind of get the jitters out when they take the field.

This is the team's gave them the year since they won in 2011. to your school and community?

It would mean a lot.

Football in the South means a lot.

It means a lot in Savannah, obviously.

And these boys have worked hard.

working for this last January.

they just completed their 84th practice.

with the goal of getting and hopefully bring home a championship.

Absolutely.

tell us more about your school, athletically and academically.

Great.

a private school, so this has been and really leading up the whole week.

admissions results from Georgia Tech.

we got results from University of Georgia, outstanding results.

in AP Honor Roll School.

For the first time.

AP scores in our history.

So lots of good things happening.

we have two mission teams headed out.

Rica and then another going to Africa.

takes place outside the classroom and some of that's on the football field, field as well.

Well, very cool.

I know you're very proud.

Absolutely.

Savannah schools, tell me about athletics.

and especially football there in Savannah?

It's very tough and competitive.

and strong tradition.

And I'm not originally from Savannah, so it's still a little bit new to me.

unlike anything very passionate.

they went to school, they're not asking.

Southern or Georgia Tech.

where did you go to high school?

that's what people associate with is their high school days in Savannah.

Well, thank you so much for being here.

triple game coming up right after this.

Thanks so much.

back to flag football Jon Nelson, who a special guest.

It very, very special guest.

what's attached to pope coach and your dad is his assistant.

Alabama.

It's a five hour drive, right?

Correct.

So Scott didn't tell them he was coming.

and your brother actually teared up a little bit when he told me.

And when he finally saw you here.

this is my first game in a couple of years couldn't miss this once in a lifetime and just excited to be here.

So.

So wait, what was the subterfuge here?

no, I can't.

I can't make it.

Yeah.

with one of our sons today.

duty right?

Doing a great job.

Yeah.

with a babysitter, when I told him I wasn't going to be here.

And then you showed up within 30 minutes before and you end up with all of that.

Scott, Congratulations.

Glad you made it.

what it's all about.

And it's great to see the family.

Frazier is part of the Pope program.

I know all about juggling family.

second birthday today.

So happy birthday, Gary Burstein, Thanks so much for watching.

The region's halftime show.

Much more to come from Pope and Alec Tuna.

Football Championship right after this.

And what you're doing, hey, to get Dave back on the road.

Nice.

Oh, wonder what Dave's to to you.

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We've got you covered.

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board to see which of the 45 made your list and claim your spot today the Division three State final Altoona from the regular season against Pope and they've got a76 lead at the break expert here in the state of Georgia.

we saw a couple of defensive stands there in the first quarter.

things opened up offensively.

first from Pope on their touchdown drive?

A huge fourth down conversion.

moving the ball downfield you get a couple of stops.

Don't change what you're doing offensively we're still going to see a lot of motions from the pope offense we saw that the first to start the second quarter.

And then Altoona would just what, or so on the clock to get the ball back.

They manage the time very well.

before the end of the half.

Yeah.

Also on a fourth down play.

Right.

the field out a little bit pre-snap to get their players open in space.

So a nice job out there in half.

Not been to get a touchdown.

most of the offense through the air based on this graphic here.

five total rushing yards.

Yeah, I'd say I'd say so.

But again, look at the play count, too.

I think that's so important.

Flag.

Yes.

Is it a 40 minute game?

It is.

there are so few possessions.

no more than three times.

Yeah.

Nice job by the quarterbacks.

them.

with the limited play totals there.

to be able to hold the football And again, when we get in trouble by the quarterback.

Now it's a seven or six score.

to get the ball to begin the second half.

How many possessions are we talking here?

quarters.

three for each team to be realistic there.

So again, so you're going to be on total possessions.

Well, I was looking down there to see Kevin Frazier, with Pope and he does.

Nellie, what do you got?

and find out what happened.

Great play call.

on the on the fourth down touchdown.

You pointed at somebody in particular.

You go.

Great call.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's my dad.

I in that corner over there down with the kitchen go.

and they executed it perfectly.

So yeah, I was pumped about that.

what kind of adjustments are you making?

Altoona clamped down on you offensively heading to the third.

Yeah they they're really athletic.

deep stuff so we're having to, you know, keep it short.

And defensively we got to keep got to look out for number 20.

Flynn She's a beast.

we can do that in the second half.

one of the hallmarks of what you do that's forcing them to kind of be on the high.

that.

and try to get our athletes in space to keep doing that for sure.

Thanks for your time.

Yeah, thank you.

for the start of the second half.

Thanks, Nellie.

It's easy living up here.

in the first couple of quarters.

There's that hitchin go round dame.

Great catch from Olivia O'Connor.

Absolute ball.

Yeah.

there.

nothing lead here on fourth and two he for Flynn you blinked you missed him right here there and going triple is actually turning the double play back to the way she catches that snap.

It cuts it loose.

Absolutely.

She has so successful as a quarterback, not quite baseball season yet.

A couple more months, Dave.

And the pull behind the line a sack gets us started they see Strickland caught that time Nice job rushing one right there of pressure on the quarterback.

be a loss back to the nine yard line a loss of five second and 11 and stretching forward That's Lyla Paradiso possession of the second half.

Nice job continuing the play right.

initially broken or not.

and then getting back up the field.

of cutting that distance in half here.

Big third down here, right here.

in a hurry, start the third quarter, third and eight.

and a pass over the middle and stuck.

Well short of the line to gain an A verner first touch of this state championship.

and Pope's going to get the football fourth down offense elects to kick with just stepping right up and linebacker from being any kind of success.

Shut it down right there in its tracks.

So Altoona will punt Julia Devon playing her first year flag football.

so it makes her to be the punter for the bucks a little down there.

Short punt taken really strong field position after just a 21 yard punt down here in the student section, exactly what you want from your defense.

half.

now, get your offense back on the field.

Oh, we got swag surfin going already and I got that swag.

I'll leave that to you about first and 15 and some good moves from Riley Benjamin as her flag pulled from behind on Ragan Fuchs, Charlie Benjamin yards.

yards on the year.

in the first half and I think we did.

That was a gain of six.

We had a two or a five.

rushing between both teams in the first half that's been to pass and that flag a little slippery.

Fuchs With the pull.

and now third down and short what the defense gives you don't force it feel a little bit good job bring them a third a manageable here definitely four down territory don't force it third and six and that pass is complete we have not called her name too often.

though it's going to be fourth down and a long three.

by the junior linebacker great instincts, going this way, going at the right time.

Pull the flag.

and a reverse action, multiple pitches.

moves as she's got the first down.

That's a high level play call in design from Pope.

that way that players going that way those in the traffic.

That's an exciting flag football play and then three pitches all in one play to go zone from the 15 yard line.

Again, the goal line is the ten.

Just pass forward the extra pitch there at the five.

It looks like that the flag was pulled there.

I think on Kate Davenport, and find that open space.

Still looking for that pitch relationship.

Always the flag is for good.

Call there by the officials.

by number 30 at the senior position.

through the third quarter pope trying Jasmine Barnes picks her pocket high powered yard to go for the touchdown here tough sledding here for the greyhounds who head in the end zone.

a double pitch, a triple pitch.

fourth and goal from here the last greyhound with the football in this the biggest play of the game we have in a play?

do I mean I can't count that high.

offense mixing networks is discipline and staying at home.

Huge play right here.

were both scored on fourth downs is going to take a timeout here.

They're all coming to the sidelines.

Only 5 seconds left on the play clock.

Yep.

And timeout called by Coach Frazier.

hang on timeout tightly to those timeouts Frazier has chosen to take them before the first time they drew one up correct again Coach Frazier football for ever so he knows management situational awareness here.

Limited possessions for a half down here.

The four yard line try to compete for a state championship.

how important this one possession is for the Greyhound offense.

ever since that first quarter.

drive for Polk, their first touchdown.

This will be the eighth play coming up.

his father, Mark.

Mark, always wanted to be a coach.

he's been coaching cross country at Polk now helping out his son with flag football.

in athletics right.

that people have with different people.

What a beautiful thing.

your dad at a level like this.

So here we go.

Benjamin but it's all the same.

A turnover on downs and if Flynn for Altoona touchdown here in the third quarter.

Yeah there was a quarterback on the setting everybody up nicely her agility and her speed some other quarterbacks there Bend Don't break out of the woods yet got plenty of work to do over 4 minutes off the clock on that drive that completion to Anna Varner they're on first down they get out from of their goal post goes through as close here here at the big top.

it has some miles out from that window.

to spread out the offense so far play second and nine Strickland and incomplete.

as she could but couldn't feather it settle now third down and nine and but they do have a chance quick forced the punt to 6 lead and Macy Strickland closing in on 100 yards, passing.

at Liberty University, that has really flourished on the flag football field.

and two deep all the way beyond midfield.

in the hole up there at Liberty.

but overshot her target to kick through on the run right there.

Giddy up right there.

Nice job on the Greyhound defense.

Second time out, third quarter here, it's three and out.

Nice job.

The Greyhound defense.

that's a pretty fun spiral there.

Punt from Davon taken and plus territory and O'Connor is going to get great starting field position to be around the 25 yard line the goal line being the ten yard line, a 28 yard punt, a ten yard return.

And if you're pope, you're disappointed.

get the news on that last drive.

still a third quarter and you've got great off minus a couple of yards, obviously.

line to gain it.

20 Playbook is wide open right here.

Final minute, third quarter, Oh oh.

between O'Connor and Nixon they're both on the basketball team.

go in the paint.

they've that they played in.

and he said we were able to build a healthy margin in.

football players out there on the court to, you know, create any potential issues.

The night before state final dance with some time no marker down for the sack Jasmine Barnes getting pressure all by her lonesome day.

Yeah.

Again when you have three blockers.

by Jasmine Barnes goes right through it.

to set something up there on the internal clock.

players out here, but you're building a program.

athletes.

Those are the 32 six on the year.

heading to the fourth and final quarter.

Altoona and Pope, hope the area champs Altoona trying to win this state.

Benz Stadium to crown a champ on GPB sports, priority is protecting our players.

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Hey, hey, hey.

Here we go.

a one point game in the state final.

back at this rush block sequence.

when you say non-contact contact sport.

Yeah, sure.

We get a little, you know, on there.

behind the block, the rush, the blow.

The blockers are not extending their body or initiating contact.

technique up front by Pope on that point the defender on that play as well.

watching thinking you know or maybe you want to try to start playing flag football.

in the fourth season of flag football.

In year one, we had fewer than 100.

So the sport exploding and a beautiful pitch.

but she couldn't quite break free.

John Nelson on the sideline.

You got the scoop?

getting ready for the fourth quarter.

Confident over here they said, We got this, everything's fine.

play in their back pocket a little bit.

got them the first down.

thing, keep everything in front of you.

Don't get beat from behind quarter, the fourth down score 100%.

Yeah, that's a great point.

about that in your visit with him.

So it's first and goal now we're going into it and it looks like they'll mark the ball at the 15 yard line.

So we got the option for the right side The defender the rusher and the pitch person at the same time.

no doubt.

how to adjust that one time rusher five for pope getting on the field Oops complete Nixon passes over and off to Mac Wiley in that semifinal game.

against Blessed Trinity.

Frazier told us that it was fitting that because she was one who who often evades the spotlight.

It's not about her.

Exactly.

but hungry athletes, right?

The competitors.

It's not about me.

It's about the team.

though, when you do have success, I Well, no doubt.

Right.

Well, here we go.

for the second time in the second half.

Can they get in this time?

Third and goal from the eight the flag stayed on the pass is complete.

it's going to be a gain of a yard maybe.

And now it sets up a critical fourth down.

ahead of this fourth down play?

They have just one left.

They will.

look at the third down play.

Again, having a hard time slowing down.

their third and final ten out of the game.

though, by the quarterback right there.

No, the rush is right on her help picks up a couple of yards there in the red zone now then the last time out fell to the Buccaneers semifinals in 2020. ago, back to the semifinals in 2022. to the state final and here they are.

Jordan Davis, a middle school teacher.

So he can't even get to practice on time.

to start it.

What a huge moment for his program.

And they've got a huge because now that pope is out of time, out.

You see they're on the clock.

It will finish.

Absolutely.

coaches out there across the country.

a really good head coach.

And here we go.

conversions.

This pass jaw loose by Macy Strickland.

and Macy Strickland with the biggest breakup of the season for Altoona.

right at the goal line, even more challenging and obviously being so close to the goal line.

Again, Buccaneers job bending don't break and tipped in the air flick and O'Connor pulls her flag and 14 goes to second down and 13. to get off the field here?

Yeah, exactly.

the first two times that for looking not a shot right there by face does at her and just following the play in a hurry over the top to the center Hazel Schulz I don't think they're quite at a place trying to drain the play clock.

they can really start to put some pressure on the clock.

Huge play for pope.

to punt.

Yeah, beg your pardon the pun.

Nearly talked about getting the defense from pope off of pope defense here the 30 yard spot on the field Got get off the field right here.

Here we go.

Got to get to the painted 30 yard line, third down and eight.

clock was just about to expire, now Altoona calls timeout of the game.

One little bit of commentary between coach Jordan Davis Smith group of the Atlanta area.

Yeah not a bad officiating staff.

on the couch at home, better, go pick up a whistle.

Go door and local association.

America we're in officiating slump are low numbers.

has been on display here on the bench all week long.

But again, happy to have you.

stripes out there, not from Foot Locker, but from actually on the field.

You can't have a game without the game all the above.

just as seriously as the coaches, as the band, as the student section does.

So a vital piece of our game.

could find yourself up here in the booth.

Dave's contract's up after today.

Absolutely.

so much in the past three years.

All right, here we go.

559 on the clock, a huge play.

it deep, looking for Seattle.

with their stride for stride Abby Benjamin fourth down Altoona has elected to kick kind of a frustrating for the buccaneer offense is third while a foot a foot, we're right there.

short?

Cool.

We'll lock that up.

Cool.

We'll be on top of it as well.

And thanks for that coverage.

He's Gotten the ball Riley Pope's quarterback.

weaving across the 30 yard line field position here for pope, a 28 yard punt, a 12 yard return.

And I think all three possessions have started in plus territory, too.

Yeah.

when you get three and out offensively makes it a lot more manageable on a punt.

to get that more terrible starting position.

So out of timeouts first and eight Riley Benson stepping up but a flag is thrown from our head Smith Let's see what the call is will run during this penalty.

Illegal contact in a first down.

Let's go down to John Nelson.

looking at pope on offense.

They're starting to draw plays normally.

drawn, plays up in the dirt, here, right on the surface, on the artificial turf.

Watch for a double corner post.

Saw that develop last time out.

Could this be it over the top?

Then it is caught.

What a catch.

Cruz with a touchdown stare It Pope has the lead John Nelson the Soviets to get the ball downfield here to point try right there in traffic everything on the line.

Playmaker to playmaker first year playing flag football and now the They're going to go for three here and the pass is caught by Holmes again Oh my goodness Carli who's going for two from the ten yard line so 14 to 7 right here.

And tell me about this day.

if you will, quote unquote.

to make this a seven point game.

Yeah, Nice heads up by the coach Frazier.

He knows time and place again.

you can go for one, two or three and three is from the 15 but nice job by the great hand now Macy Strickland racing ahead Stokes pulls her flag and now Altoona just over 2 minutes left and you're trying to get still looking for that first first down of the second half this is the two minute warning come into play incomplete, pass the clock stops Strickland off her hands incomplete looking for Hazel Schultz right there by the Buccaneer offense the first down could have water should have.

big time play right here got to have a little success the way it is Strickland Sophia settles has the first O'Connor's got her flag the clock will start momentarily.

a little bit here by the offense.

the success of this is the first down.

You still have the football got to go, though.

Rush throws it down across the middle is broken up by O'Connor and a flag has come out You're going to get pass interference here as this penalties related pass interference defense ten yard penalty replay first down.

That's good on good right there.

What do you see on that called.

you can't run through the receiver there.

She on the side.

through the back.

Flip a coin first at eight, maybe a double pass by time 30.

So skips it in to Aubrey Moore.

She had her just a little short.

Again, nice job extending the play.

Give yourself some opportunities there.

that has the football maybe had two people open to heal all nerves here.

take care of the football.

Still Strickland throws it back She had that game winning pick against to win the state title you apply the pressure on the quarterback because you know all the above.

in the first quarterback and then we're right on top of it for the forward pass final 90 seconds.

The shirts are coming off in the stands.

It's all on the line three rush complete and they will re she got enough for the first down though momentarily is first and 19 at the 39. is the ten yard line.

Yeah, nice job.

But it spread the defense wide recently.

Nice job getting going back picking up the first down Stricklin stepping up And was it completed?

Yes.

Kiki Daniels above the blades of Astroturf.

when they're right there.

Face, don't get your hands up again.

You went Altoona has two timeouts.

Nice calling together yet?

Oh, wow.

What a stricklin Her pass can play down the far sideline finding Kingsley gritty Buccaneer time at the top of your screen.

Okay, good.

Hey, let's catch our breath right here.

We still have one time out in the bank, obviously, third down here, time out.

Altoona, their second time out.

and walk the 42 seconds.

Nice.

get the ball extended.

Just keep plugging down the field.

Right.

So, again, clock's moving.

We're good on the clock.

Opportunities.

We're athletes.

The athletes.

Big moment, big time.

keeping everything in front still so support flags buccaneer offense talk about looking for that pitch relationship Hey there's John Nelson I bet I bet to score this touchdown on Nelly to me and I'm listening in the huddle.

a little bit.

and I'll get you some info.

All right?

I gotcha.

Thanks.

Now, he's harder.

He's hard at work, Nellie doing his thing.

Now what?

He better.

All right, here we go.

Third down and three.

Macy Strickland, 15 for 25 on the day for 120 yards.

Go into the air again.

First down, and it's gritty, but she gets out of bounds.

Most importantly.

Yeah.

Nice shot right there.

of a single rusher up there a little bit close to the boundary getting out of bounds but completely stuffed him until because of the run out of bounds.

37 seconds left and then convert that extra point 13 yards.

a ten yard line here on this flag and that flag comes out.

I think we've got the lay game delay.

We do lose five yard penalty.

First down, I'll say this day.

We've talked a couple of times with that field, gotten crunched up.

of game, but maybe a little more space if you're looking for a silver lining.

Yeah, again, time and score.

five yards there.

getting the correct play again.

play clocks here in the bend so quarterback in the coach.

So here we go first and goal from the 19 Strickland gets it away and the ball and they're calling this catch she had possession before it was jarred and final time out by Altoona.

she couldn't get a bounce.

The clock was going to run.

Yeah.

one of those risky warm things.

Rise a d try to have it right there.

Maybe could have what it should have.

But again, with flag football, right.

and then boom, you're gone on the sideline.

So I'm not going to fault the athlete.

The athlete there.

Do you burn the last time out of the half?

Now we got a big problem.

We get a sack offensively again.

in front of you.

Pull do what got us here so no timeouts Would you consider throwing anywhere in front of the end zone to the end zone with no timeouts?

now, offensively you're talking about about the first play about Iran to that as part of the same formation if need be.

The state final two schools from area three both in class seven eight Strickland to the air.

She's got a receiver it's Sophia Settle point away from a tie game ninth touchdown of the season for Sophia settle the senior these last couple of games for Altoona very frustrating couple for the Buccaneers from Acworth Georgia stay the course stay the course.

Finally get the ball in the end zone.

Altoona opting to go for the tie here too.

Absolutely.

If they don't get this, the game is over.

no other way for Altoona to get the ball back.

They must score Stricklin All four back.

Good.

And it's a complete broken up Pope Who's going to win the state championship.

And after such a poised, it comes down to one play and the ball batted away.

That was Sarah Gentry, according to coach Kevin Frazier.

winning deflection.

on the Altoona sideline.

And all it's going to take is just one knee and snap.

And there you have it.

the flag Football Division three.

What a tremendous accomplishment in just their third season.

before this season.

winning touchdown and game winning Extra point.

And the Greyhounds are state champions talked about offense offense.

All of this for Pope in this third quarter.

right there for the extra point to try.

Ben, don't break defense wins championships and now they will go celebrate with their fans in the stands bucket and an embrace there from coach Kevin Frazier and Jordan Davis you know, we talked about it at the start by over 30 points in the regular season.

going to be like that again in Altoona.

they demonstrated going down the field, state championship on the line, shot.

It's tough to beat a team twice great house for doing that.

one to Game two by the Buccaneers though.

killer from Coach Frazier.

in that huddle.

The smiles.

High fives.

Oh, oh, Carlie Oops.

flag football catches the game winning touchdown pass an extra point for coach Kevin Frazier first time head coach in any sport Dave His third year wins a state championship.

What he lacks as a head coach experience.

we saw the offense clicking right there.

Definitely all day today as a sixth grader at his church it would lead to a state championship.

He knew it.

Then they start somewhere and Carlie Oops, man, you know, Pope was undefeated.

The only two games they lost.

to other commitments.

for an athlete, you get a balance.

maybe even study time as well.

she's ready to ball out head to the top of the podium.

In fact, there's a lot of them about.

final coming down to the final play.

Settle this year with a touchdown catch.

Macie Strickland, Hailey Schultz, Iva Flynn, all Kiki Daniels, who's been out with injury.

the whole story right there.

They've just so much emotion on both sides but still a lot to be proud of and this as a breakthrough for the program, their first ever state championship gets to hold the trophy there.

be out there helping her team across the state of Georgia and flag final semi final now a final appearance football programs across the state.

the season 22 and three and once they draw off those tears they'll and know next year.

state champions, they finished 26 end to that was defined by their offense.

On that final play that won the title.

Absolutely.

Ben Don't break it.

with our very own John Nelson.

Thank you very much.

trophy number one for day number both top 20 nationally.

Shout out to our friends from Altoona.

Fantastic season for you, trophy and flag football this season.

and to do it.

High School Association, Dr. Robin Hines.

Thank you.

First off, I want to congratulate our tune on and season.

our tuners crowd for showing up the GHC student section of the year.

Congratulations for that.

You guys were great.

However, today it gives us great pleasure and the Georgia High School Association to give their state championship trophy to the hope Greyhounds.

All right, Coach, what does this mean for your team?

Oh, man, it means so much.

today because that was an incredible game.

All credit to Altoona.

I mean, what a game.

our girls have worked extremely hard.

This group really wants to prepare.

Just gotten better and better.

And we faced a ton of adversity today.

just so proud of them.

They deserve it.

Congratulations.

So what's it for you to be a part of this program on this platform as a state?

It's hard to even believe.

been with me since the beginning, since we started.

running it, note cards as our plays three years later, here we are.

I would have never believed you.

But it doesn't happen without these girls.

and they're so athletic as they just showed.

with your family, with your dad.

to have multiple Frasers, a state title?

Yeah, we've been doing this whether we've been coaching or not.

We sit on the couch like that, the teams we think should do, in action with these girls.

brother and sister come in from far away.

They come visit and watch the game.

you saw me get emotional before the kick.

So I really just love this team.

I'm so proud of them.

Congratulations.

state champs and flag football and send it upstairs to Wiley Day.

Thanks, Nellie.

that Coach Frazier just described it's really a microcosm here inside the state of Georgia.

we've seen the last three mornings going back to Monday with Southeast Greenbrier taking down Lithia Springs triumphant over Altoona as we welcome you inside our booth one football season alongside Dave Reynolds and Dave the growth of the sport once we tossed down come in the state.

only, right?

We have eight states across this country football.

in the beautiful Mercedes-Benz stadium.

some scholarships also at the NRA level.

with this flag, football, sport, is trying to get involved.

Right.

So it's a beautiful sport.

the excitement, again, from the coaches, had a bang here at halftime.

No worry about school.

athletes and that's the rock star sport Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

these three games in the last few days.

one more time at the highlights of.

Our division three final.

They got started.

for Olivia O'Connor giving the greyhounds a six Nothing lead.

I mean, and serve coke and peanuts and beautiful pass but Altoona half before Philly what hands this court just takes and then boom the field for a touchdown or six lead at halftime right to Karl who's in the end zone.

was telling him to play there up on the white board on the sideline.

right there in traffic.

Just athlete on athlete right there.

Beautiful play.

the final 30 seconds Sophia settles in the end zone and Altoona cuts it to one a chance to tie the extra point from the three not to be Sarah Gentry breaks it up and the greyhounds win the state title and again, terrific drama.

week here inside Mercedes-Benz.

game on the tackle side.

but we've still got three more coming all afternoon and evening here on GPB.

So happy to have you with us.

football, Pope takes down Altoona the state title.

next hour three a title game between Cedar shortly right here on our air.

to everyone who helped us bring you Steve Rimm, our analyst Dave Reynolds.

I'm Wiley Ballard.

from Mercedes-Benz Stadium the greyhounds state champs and flag football just fine one crosses over the line there is no space the drivers are all over the place.

Say we will we will buckle.

Say we will, we will buckle up What you're doing.

to get Dave back on the road.

Nice.

Oh, wonder what Dave's to you.

Do your thing.

We've got you covered.

Hey, everyone.

tailgate party.

I'm Hannah.

Good.

Ben Stadium for the 2023 GHC Boys and Girls State Championships.

the first one of the day, the Division and Altoona and the Greyhounds pull it out football victory in history.

on the field with our Cotton Commission player of the game.

John, go ahead and give her that towel.

Got the towel.

She's got that QB Riley Benjamin.

Okay, now here is the play.

winning touchdown right here.

This is how they drew it up.

up on the turf at Mercedes-Benz.

Georgia Cotton Commission.

Natural choice for George QB for pope How does it feel Really good.

last couple of years knocking on the door, knocking on the door and then finally get the title?

we are all new to it, how to play, so we weren't the greatest.

year were just really good like we played over the summer, realizing like we could actually do this and so we we thought we had it.

was going to be our biggest last year.

our biggest competition in the playoffs and we were so close.

And then this year Final Four game and it came down to the last second.

winning interception and I mean we were all just sobbing like we knew we could do it, We've known we could do it for so long.

like, right, this is over right now, but of finally reaching our goal all along is amazing.

you get the towel, winning play.

Talk me through that real quick.

So we lined up in our play 13 and so we had Olivia Sorry, Go for it.

and Carly do deeper outs on the outside, doing a pose to the middle.

they were going to be key to end.

They we knew that.

They knew that play.

And then Carly, instead of doing a go, she did a skinny like post over and corner and she definitely catches everything.

She caught it twice.

player of the game Thank you.

State title goes to Pope.

Let's send it back upstairs.

Thanks, John.

Congratulations, Riley.

Wow.

How impressive is she?

nation is watching.

Congratulations, everybody.

to crown throughout this championship week.

that have excelled all season long?

All Stars team and it's time for the all state team on.