So the Division four state championship, the Milton Eagles, the Blessed Trinity Titans separated by just 5 miles and they are area opponents meeting for the second time this year and for the second time in the state championship game.

This one should be a doozy and we welcome you up to our broadcast perch alongside Dave Reynolds, our flag football guru, our Minister of Flag Football.

Here inside the state of Georgia.

And if that's the case, I'm not sure you've got that title yet, but whoever does is very excited to see how much the sport has grown over the last six years.

Dave, we'll get into Blessed Trinity Milton here momentarily, but can you describe the growth we've seen in this state, in this sport, since the GHSA sanctioned it in 2020?

Yeah, even before the state sanctioned.

It started in Gwinnett County for a couple of teams in grew across about five counties.

Then COVID started kind of slow start there for Georgia high school flag football with 90-1 teams.

And then you can see the numbers there just adding on, adding on, adding on.

Clearly the fastest growing sport here in the state of Georgia.

Clearly catching wildfire across the country.

Other states they are sanctioning the sport.

Other states are practicing through it.

We've seen the Olympics catch on to it.

So no surprise here.

And that's why we're right here in the middle of all this.

We have the boys here, the girls here playing tackle football, flag football in this big building.

Let's get it out.

Let's get out there.

Well, tell me some about Georgia flag football and the quality of play we've seen.

Because you hear about states like Florida, like California, and you talk to coaches who have coached in those states, it does feel like Georgia is skyrocketing and getting close to where those states play.

The sport.

Might be a little biased here on this answer, right?

But the great state of Georgia does a lot of things really well, including the athletes you see on display in this building for flag football.

Yeah, you're right there at the top of the game.

We're seeing not just one pocket of the state.

That's not just Atlanta.

It's not just one city in South Georgia.

It's all corners of the state elevating all the players, getting faster.

The coaches are communicating on strategies.

Man, it's a great place to be here in the state of Georgia playing flag football.

Yeah, we got youth leagues popping up as well.

So as we get set for Blessed Trinity and Milton, in case you are unfamiliar with the sport, Dave, can you please explain the differences between tackle football and flag football?

As the guru?

I'd be happy to do so.

So today's flag football field 80 yards long and 40 yards wide.

First downs will be achieved by gaining the zone line to gain, which are fixed lines 20 yards apart.

To play for ten minute quarters.

With a running clock under the last 2 minutes will stop.

Similar tackle football with scores incomplete passes.

So fourth, we've seen that center involved in the passing game today.

So all players are eligible.

Pretty excited to get all seven players going on on on the passing game.

Flag football is a non-contact contact sport.

We've seen some examples of that so far.

In the state championships.

So we can take a look at the flag football schedule so far this year or this week, I should say this year's state championships.

Harris County blanking Washington County 32 to nothing.

Both those teams in their first ever state championship game, Greenbrier completes the three-peat, defeating Jenkins, 20-13 And it was a thriller.

Greenbrier coming from behind in that game at the North Oconee just a little earlier this morning, North Oconee defeating Whitewater 31-6 The Titans, after coming up as the state runners up the last two years, finally get over the hump and win the state championship.

That sets the stage for Milton and Blessed Trinity.

Without further ado, let's get to our key players to watch, beginning with blessed or with Milton.

Rather Alana Calhoun.

She's one of the best players in the entire state.

Yeah, this Wingate this Wingate University commit.

Commit.

Absolutely incredible resume play for team USA, flag football, some other international flag football competitions while she's been at Milton over 4,000 yards, receiving 76 touchdown catches.

Well, the top top interceptions in the state of Georgia with 50 on her career.

Banged up a little bit, but she's ready.

Remember the 2022 state championship team.

She's back and ready to make a big impact on today's game now.

Blessed Trinity they beat Milton state championship back in Alana Calhoun freshman year.

And for the Titans, they rely on a variety of players.

But Maggie Sullivan in particular has been effective both in the backfield and defensively.

Several players you can pick from on this Blessed Trinity roster, dual sport athletes everywhere, but you got to like a two way athlete.

The running back position over 1,000 yards in the pass game and the rush game up front on defense has ten sacks on the season.

Applying that pressure could have picked a bunch of people.

But for today, for me, if Blessed Trinity adds to their state championship state championship collection, Maggie Sullivan has got to be involved in that success today.

So that's a breakdown of the matchup and for what's going on down on field level.

Let's send it down to the ground floor.

And the great John Nelson.

Thank you very much.

Great Wiley Bullard great Dave Reynolds, good afternoon to all of you.

However you're accessing us large or small offenses, prolific on both sides of the equation here.

Coming into this game, Milton wins 12 of 13.

Coming into this one.

The one loss down the stretch regular season was to the team that won the previous game here at Mercedes-Benz Stadium North Oconee Blessed Trinity had a bit of a hiccup late in the regular season, losing three in a row, but they have run the table here in the postseason.

They've won five in a row.

They've scored in the 20s.

They have not really given up a whole lot of points.

Last time they gave up double digits was two.

Guess who North Oconee back on November 18 in a 25 20 loss.

I'm expecting a lot of offense in this one.

We'll see if I am 110% correct.

Let's send it back up to you guys for the answers.

Well, Nelly, I'm backing you.

I think you got a pretty good pulse on what's going on down there.

As we get ready.

Blessed Trinity, led by head coach Brandon Harwell in his fifth season at Blessed Trinity and again he was the head coach in the 2022 state championship when they defeated Milton 19-13 in overtime.

And away we go.

Blessed Trinity with the ball first, first and six Addie Spak the quarterback headed towards the line to gain, but her flag is pulled and on the stop Alana Calhoun I beg your pardon?

Number 9.

That'd be Braylin Swanick.

Here's Addie Sparks numbers on the year.

The senior committed to Washington University for softball as a shortstop, but at quarterback and competing, completing nearly three quarters of her passes over 4,000 yards this year.

And Spak throws a dangerous pass that gets through the hands of Swanick and is brought in by Hannah Daley first down, Blessed Trinity.

Phenomenal concentration on the wide receiver about jumps that route.

Nice job five staying with it.

Really good defense, but sometimes it's a mop flops and the offense picks up the first down.

Blessed Trinity Milton met earlier this year.

It was a Milton win.

That's why they were the area seven champions.

Back to throw.

Sends it high.

Oh nearly intercepted that time.

Caroline Marshall had it in her fingertips.

And now look at Blessed Trinity offensive starters beyond Spak.

You highlighted Maggie Sullivan Hannah Daley with over 30 touchdown catches this year.

Got to keep an eye on her as well.

And Adalyn Kramer at that center spot.

She's a piece of their offense as well.

Centers are eligible in flag football, so second down and 16.

Got to get to midfield for a new set of downs.

Spak catches the snap in motion, dumps it off complete.

There's Sullivan.

For Milton defensively.

Swanick Keljen McCants up front.

Their leader in sacks.

There's a look at their linebacking corps.

Braylin Swanick 87 tackles to lead the team.

You see the rushers there in the middle and McCants and Calhoun and then Caroline Marshall.

In the secondary.

Spak thinks about driving it deep.

Instead, she is sacked in the backfield.

Jessie De Groodt with the sack.

Beatty coming out a little bit of motion trying to slow down that rusher trying to buy time.

Just got to get the ball out a little faster there.

Keep the feet moving for the run.

Pump fakes.

It just sits on a little too long.

Outside linebacker gets up the field, gets the sack and gets off the field.

Now Catherine Darr will punt.

The booming punt across the field caught and returned modestly up the left side by Caroline Marshall.

And here comes the Milton offense, led by their quarterback Audrey Jensen, who has thrown for over 4,000 yards.

Look at the quarterback numbers for Audrey Jensen, a second year starter, her father, Lamar, is the quarterback coach.

I beg your pardon?

A lot of Calhoun's father, Lamar, is the quarterback coach, and there is the first touch for Alana Calhoun.

Audrey Jensen Marks number 5.

Look at head coach Clark Nixon his fifth season.

He is a Blessed Trinity alum now competing against his alma mater.

Second down and 20.

And we've got a. Sack.

Jensen couldn't get it away and Maggie Sullivan so far.

Dave, you're looking pretty good on that pick for player to watch.

A blind squirrel finds another one.

Small but nice job right there.

You see the screen blocking there?

That's the technique we see in flag football.

Sullivan runs just right around it, showing her speed up the field for a pretty big sack right there on second down.

Brings him a little longer of a third down situation.

So third down and now a flag and a false start.

Again.

They got to get the midfield for a new set of downs.

So third and ten they false.

Start.

Offense five yard penalty.

Third down.

And Caroline Caplinger our white hat today.

That's now two women white hats out of the five state or four state championships we've played so far this week.

So every crew this week will have a female on the officiating crew.

Caroline's on the top of her game as well.

Well deserved to be here for her and her crew on this game today.

Jensen scrambles.

So Jensen flag pulled again by Maggie Sullivan.

It's going to set up fourth and 14 and with that, Milton has opted to punt.

You must declare your intention so Jessie De Groodt will punt.

So far both defenses with success.

Getting off the field in the first drives.

No surprise here.

Both coaches, both teams players play against each other in the off season.

The region opponents no surprise in the first drive by both teams.

And De Groodt with her left foot, bangs it away and is taken on the far sideline and not much oxygen there for return.

On the return for Blessed Trinity, that was Libby Vola.

Little miss kick right there.

Typically she's a little bit better leg than that.

We'll get back pretty much beat picking back right back up where they started off left off.

There we go.

Words are important.

On their first drive.

Coach Brandon Harwell and his offense back to work.

First and.

Nine.

And a pitch back to Addie Spak.

Might have been thinking about passing that ball as she retrieved the Or received the pitch from Hannah Daley, but couldn't find any outlets.

Today.

Smart maybe doesn't feel comfortable about throwing that ball downfield.

The receiver did get behind the defense.

Smart IQ by the quarterback.

Probably why she has over 4,000 yards passing this year and I don't.

So nice heads up play by keeping the keeping the ball and not forcing the issue.

Yeah decision making that's the only reason you don't have many passing yards this year.

Dave Spak with a pump fake gets the defender in the air.

But Braelyn Swanick is there to bring her down behind the line.

Another tackle for loss.

Both of these defense are getting upfield.

Swanick kind.

Of making this quarterback.

Uncomfortable.

Gets up in the passing lane on the first option by the quarterback.

Scrambles out in the backside linebacker.

Just staying home.

Being responsible for her area of the field.

Kind of spying the quarterback like the elf on the shelf.

Nice job following that play up.

Third down and.

11.

Spak.

Has time steps into it.

Pass is complete for a first Chelsea Lewis with her 73rd catch of the year.

Had all day.

No rush up front, maybe a little miscommunication on Milton's defense.

Maybe just trying to keep everything in front.

Nice job rolling the pocket, buying time, extend the play, get the ball downfield a little bit.

First and 17.

Now they've got to get to the painted 30.

That is the 20 on this 80 yard field.

And a left hand flip to Sullivan.

That time it was Addy Wilson on the pass.

Back to Wilson.

Pass is.

Complete to Sullivan.

That's Coach Harwell knowing his players.

Wright rolls the bottom of our screen to their left.

We've got a left handed quarterback slash running back.

Gives you a pretty easy pitch and catch right there for a couple yards.

So pick up a nine now.

Second down and.

Eight.

Spak flushed.

Wright under duress again.

Dumps it off.

Hauled in by Sullivan.

And how valuable is it for a quarterback in that spot to have that outlet in Sullivan at the running back, she went from blocker to receiver.

That's it.

Running back.

As soon as you get beat, you just turn around and become that wide receiver again.

All seven play.

All six players quarterback or else will catch a forward pass.

It's exactly what she's doing.

She's well taught.

That's what that looks like from a passing offense.

Blockers want to get beat, be that outlet for the quarterback.

Alliyah Holmes with the stop there for Milton third down and two right side, Sullivan's flag is pulled in the backfield.

A huge play.

Carson McElroy.

Multi-sport athlete right there.

Just showing how reigned, how tall, how lengthy she is.

Offense has elected to play.

Maybe beat right there but able to extend with her arms and pull the flag.

Yeah her numbers tackle Wise aren't going to jump off the page.

They'd be a lot higher if it weren't for softball.

And also overcoming mononucleosis.

But she is on the field today for the state championship, and we are scoreless after one quarter of play.

Blessed Trinity Milton a grudge match at Mercedes-Benz.

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Heads up Georgia.

You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

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When we came on the air, we mentioned that Blessed Trinity Milton are separated by just 5 miles.

Well, their head coach is Brandon Harwell for BT and Clark Nixon for Milton.

They live just 2 miles apart.

They're both close friends.

They'll talk a lot of flag football in the offseason, leaving coach together and some all star teams.

And one thing they have in common they both have daughters currently playing flag football.

They have been two of the champions of the sport in the state, and they had a feeling going back to July, there was a little bit of a joke and they played at a Corky Kell event and kind of looked at each other and said, you know, it might be us in the state championship game on December 16th.

Lo and behold, here we are.

See you at the Benz.

So start of the second quarter with a key play.

Fourth down and three.

Got to get to.

The 20 yard line.

The painted 30 on the field.

Spak going deep and it is incomplete.

And a flag comes out.

In coverage.

For Milton that was Amelia White.

I think she and Hannah Daley were battling for.

It.

Let's see what the call is.

Here.

Illegal contact on the offense.

This penalty has been declined.

First down.

So, Dave, can you explain what illegal contact is?

Looks like they went up for the ball kind of on the head.

She keeps kind of hitting there.

As going to the ground, not really playing the ball.

Similar to tackle football.

I like that contact foul.

And a quick catch by Caroline Marshall from Audrey Jensen.

Oddly enough, on fourth down actually might have been beneficial for Betty at the pass had been intercepted from a field position standpoint.

On that play on the fourth down play.

Going back to it, I thought they had the center open.

For a first down, took the shot down the field.

We're moving on.

After Marshall's reception, it's second down and eight.

80 yard field.

The ten yard lines are the goal lines over the middle.

Incomplete.

Nice job of evading the rush by Audrey Jensen.

Here's a look at the skill position players that surround her.

The starters for the Eagles.

We mentioned a lot of Calhoun yet to see her get involved today and don't sleep on Caroline Marshall either.

Leads the team with nearly 2,000 yards receiving.

Already has caught one pass.

Jensen is in.

Trouble.

And it looks like she got rid of it.

Jason Mayo so able to avoid the sack.

Fourth down offense has elected to kick.

And look at the Blessed Trinity defense that just forced the three and out.

Yeah.

Maggie Sullivan Addie Spak you mentioned Chelsea Lewis there in the secondary.

And now the punt coming from Jessie De Groodt.

And Holden again this is Vola once more.

And a flag pole missed the first time.

But Alliyah Holmes backing it up.

So Betty sort of winning the field position game here early.

Dave.

And this is where as a coach, you make your money right.

Those in game adjustments two drives both teams kind of just back and forth a little bit.

Yeah.

Beets had a little more movement offensively.

But the Eagle defense getting off the field.

How can you finish a drive on your third possession.

Over the.

Middle.

Batted down up front Keljen McCants senior got a piece of it.

And Jessica De Groodt second down.

Nice job right there again just one rush.

The other one kind of drops back and and kind of spies the quarterback there.

Knocks down the pass.

Little cat cat and mouse game up front from the rushers.

Second down and.

11 Spak going towards the sideline.

It is hauled in by Hannah Daley and the spot will be enough for a first down.

She gets across midfield.

It's now first and 19.

Caroline Marshall Marshall.

First down yardage.

Blessed Trinity had some shifting going on in the first two drives so far for Beatty on this one.

Not any pre-snap movement, just buying time enough to get the short pass route towards the boundaries.

Picks up the first down.

And Addie Spak after that 12 yard pass has completed five of her eight tries today.

Make it six out of nine and Adalyn Kramer the center with her first snag.

Kramer black Wilber not.

Got to love it.

Everybody on the field can catch a pass, include your center, who just happens to be a lacrosse player going to Central Michigan again, regardless of where you are on the field.

For both of these teams, on both sides of the ball, remarkable how much talent you have athletically.

And you're going to call a series differently, too.

When you take over first and 19, right?

That was a long way to go.

You got 9 yards on first down.

Flag comes flying.

Out as the pass is complete to Sullivan.

She might have picked up a couple of yards, but we'll see what the flag was.

First.

Flags.

Down.

Maybe.

Motion again.

Illegal motion on the offense.

Five yard penalty replay.

Second down.

So Milton will accept the penalty.

Did you see the illegal motion there, Dave.

I did not, but again, the motion conversation is very similar to tackle football.

Somebody in motion cannot be going towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

Second and 15 Sullivan pitches to Spak zips it in a tight window and deflected by Alana Calhoun.

She was all over Hannah Daley.

Daley incomplete.

Alana Calhoun.

As you mentioned at the beginning.

Committed to Wingate.

She played with team USA, the U17 team, this past summer in California, and she was named to the Flag Football Pro Bowl, one of 32 selections across the country.

There's an argument to be made she is the best flag football player in the state, although I do think an argument would ensue from a lot of these coaches based on who's on their.

Teams.

So third down and 15 Spak reverses field.

The catch is made by Lewis and her flag yanked off by Caroline Marshall.

She will be 1 yard short of a first, and this feels like BT will go for it.

I like the play call.

Been kind of rolling out towards the boundary, kind of getting that defense to go with you.

Oh, and here we go on third down play.

Throw it back across the field.

Brings up a much more manageable fourth down here.

You see the two cones there on the field.

One cone is for the offense to be on that side of the cone.

The other one for the defense of neutral zone.

So definitely on a fourth and one situation.

Advantage offense probably going right back up the middle with the neutral zone where it is.

And Sullivan carries it.

Flag pulled by Swanick.

But it'll be enough for a first down.

They'll say she gained 6 yards.

First and goal from the 15 yard line.

Maybe a tackle.

Football and flag football rules difference.

The snap has to go 2 yards in the backfield.

So you can't do under the center.

So even on a short down and distance formations you'll still see the quarterback or running back in the shotgun formation.

So Sullivan, the three year starter, gets beat into the next zone.

And that ten yard line that is the goal line, 80 yard field for flag football.

And we are approaching the two minute.

Warning offense.

And Beatty opts to take a time-out just before the two minute warning.

Looked like the play clock was winding down so they couldn't let it get all the way to the two minute time-out.

We'll go back three years ago, Blessed Trinity and Milton meet in the state championship down at Center Park Stadium, and they won the state championship in overtime against Milton 19-13 And as we mentioned, these two teams, this is the sixth time they have met in the last four seasons.

Blessed Trinity won the first three, including that state championship.

Milton has won the last two, including this year.

So when you hear that point, that difference right there, who's one who's lost, no surprise here in the back end of the second quarter.

The first half that we're right side by side on score just going back and forth so far.

So first and goal.

Over the middle to the end zone.

Incomplete off the hands of Lewis.

Addy Wilson was also in the area.

And now it is the two minute warning which means that the tackle football clock rules will now apply in these final 2 minutes.

Out of bounds and incompletion.

Stop the clock.

Get time to get the ball up and out to the end zone.

But again, well contested by the defense.

Second down here there's no field goals.

You're definitely in four down territory.

Two time-outs left for Beatty.

You've been down here already once.

Got to get points on the board to finish off this half.

Addie Spak.

Dropping back.

Stepping up reaching forward inside the ten.

Inside the five.

And she get the pitch off.

No, she did not.

It will be third down.

Spak got it down inside the five.

And Braelyn Swanick with a clutch stop.

I mean the engine that makes it go.

Nothing's available.

Missed the first one.

Miss.

And again, there's that pitch relationship you're looking for.

The very nice job cutting that down and distance way more down in half.

Nice job right there.

Milton knows what the clock situation is.

Use their first time out as well.

Try and make it see if they can get the ball back by the end of the by the end of the half.

Blessed Trinity back in the state championship.

A look at how they got here.

Had no trouble with Newton there in the semis.

It was really that second round game against Thomas County Central, who by the way, will play tomorrow night on the tackle side in the state championship against Gainesville.

Long bus ride from Roswell, Georgia to Thomasville there.

But again was impressive.

It's not just this road to the finals, but who they played in the regular season.

They saw North Oconee, they saw Harrison County, they saw Harrison County.

Excuse me.

McEachern.

Southeast Bullard Wright beat has played high high, high level talent.

Other teams all year long.

Coach Harwell is not afraid to play tough competition.

He knows from his two sport career how important playing other teams who are high level, how that prepares you for the playoffs.

So here we go.

Third and goal inside the five beat trying to break this stalemate.

And a loaded formation on the right side.

All five players.

And there we go.

Looked like Hannah Daley was going down into her stance.

A little too much delay.

There.

Everybody standing still.

Somebody should have been put back in motion.

Ball snapped.

Something like that.

Little miscommunication by the Titan offense.

So that backs him up to the nine yard line.

Gives him a little more space.

What are your options here at this place on the field on third down?

Yeah.

Again it's you know you're in fourth down territory.

So you can say let's go pick up Wright.

You're on the nines.

Go pick up 5 yards.

All the above is wide open.

John, what do you have on the sideline?

Keep an eye on the right hand side of Blessed Trinity.

Milton was trying to overstock their left hand side, thinking we were going to have two receivers to go to on this rollout.

Wright and Spak gets rid of it to Sullivan and a great pull from Keljen McCants brings up fourth down.

Nice job staying home again.

One rusher.

Go get the quarterback right.

The other person needs to make sure that the outlet right there is pulling the flags.

Nice job winning the quarterback.

The running back.

Exactly what you wanted right there for the Eagle defense right here where you are Ben.

Don't break.

Milton opting to let the clock tick a little further and save those two time-outs for the next offensive possession.

Yeah.

You also want to give Coach Harwell Elin Moore time to draw play on fourth down.

Fourth and goal from the nine.

Well, you know, I think Coach Harwell wants that time anyway.

Dave.

Let's go get the pin out, draw something in the dirt, get the right play call done for you.

Again, all options are there still probably a low probability.

Pass that jump ball in the back corner.

Not surprised if we stay with the the pitching and the throwing.

That he's really good at.

Here's how Milton and head coach Clark Nixon arrived here in Mercedes on this Tuesday afternoon.

Stingy defense allowing just 12 points over their four games.

And they weren't in many close ones.

Exactly.

But again, they're prepared.

Played Harris County in the in the season Lambert Greenbrier Pope you ever heard of those names before?

Sound like state champions to me.

I'll keep going.

Played beat already in region and also North Oconee on that same day.

So, Milton.

Preparation to even get on the road to the Championship.

Phenomenal job scheduling.

What did you hear?

Two, two on the left hand side for Beatty.

One on the right hand side.

They're going to try and buy some time to try to get this pass off.

Looking for the end zone.

Daley is in the slot.

Their leading receiver Spak going her way.

Incomplete, broken up.

Caroline Marshall in coverage and a turnover on downs in the final minute.

Milton defense.

Mission accomplished.

Kept everything in front.

Wright takes it to the centers to close.

Jumps the route right there at the goal line to bat that ball down.

Get off the field to end the half.

Nice job.

They were trying to get it to Daley but double covered Calhoun helping out there to.

They took over at their own nine with two time-outs.

Marshall can't make the catch and it's intercepted.

What a play in the secondary.

That's Addison Wickremesekera.

Patterson Wickremesekera.

Right off the fingertips.

That's definitely one that Marshall can make pretty easily.

Remember in high school flag football and tackle football, it's just 1 ft in bounds.

I'm not sure what he saw down there, but there's no video review with girls flag football today.

So now first and goal from the 16.

And that smile year to year.

And a shoestring catch.

And the clock still winding here.

Adalyn Kramer Beatty has one time-out left.

Gotta go.

You already called two plays when the drive started.

Spak to the end zone.

Too tall.

So third and goal now 10 seconds time to get those two plays off.

You do have one time-out.

I'm not a state championship coach like Coach Harwell is, but time out left.

I'm gonna run the ball right back up the middle twice for the touchdown.

Not not having a whole lot of success going over the top.

On the stingy defense here by Milton.

If you're Milton Wright, you've been here a couple times already today, right?

You're up for the challenge.

Maybe that's what Coach Nixon is just telling them.

Just keep doing what we're doing and get the ball out of the end zone.

Let's listen in on the Milton huddle.

How they want to slow this down.

So you got to get rushing.

Get.

Yeah.

You're rushing and so are you.

Yeah.

But here's the deal.

If you see that double look if you see that double look you need to step towards seven and you need to you need to drop back to middle okay.

Because they're going to go to the center.

He's going to show us that double up back.

Look.

And he's going to expect a sergeant.

He's going to expect us to rush two okay.

So we got to we got to step towards that and then step back in the middle of the field.

Do you hear what I'm saying?

Okay.

Yes.

Eagle.

One more play.

Come on.

Let's go.

Clark Nixon a gentleman and a scholar.

They're in the middle of a state championship huddle and they apologize to John Nelly for bumping the mic.

We appreciate both coaches letting us get that access.

There you have it.

That's the defensive plan for Milton.

Let's see what Blessed Trinity Coach Nixon's alma mater has cooked up for.

Third and goal from the seven.

Will they run it?

Sparks going to the air deep in the end zone.

Incomplete.

Calhoun got a right hand on it and De Groodt came soaring in trying to pick it off, but instead it's another fourth and goal opportunity for Blessed Trinity.

And here comes the last time-out.

Just fantastic defense.

You can see how the the Eagles just soaring around back there knocking that ball down.

Who'd rather have than your playmaker just watching the eyes of the quarterback.

Tracking that receiver knocking that ball down the end zone.

Well that's now twice in the last minute that they have gone over the middle into the end zone towards Hannah Daley.

That's who they trust the most offensively.

And we'll see if they pick her out again here on this fourth down.

Play number 5 in white.

Okay.

Do you want it on a corner or do you want it just straight on.

Fourth and goal from the seven.

Let's go let's go.

Both defenses have been superb in the first two quarters.

Off the line.

Milton.

Down.

Has only run seven plays offensively.

Blessed Trinity has run nearly 25.

Fourth and goal.

Deep shot back of the end zone.

Incomplete.

And the Milton defense does it again.

They stand tall and a goal to go situation.

And we have hit the end of the first half staring contest.

The Division four flag football state championship Milton and Blessed Trinity.

Nobody has blinked yet.

And Clark Nixon, head coach for Milton, has joined John Nelson on the sideline.

Man fourth and you had to do it almost back to back.

Yeah, man, I couldn't be more proud of that defense.

I mean you can hear it in my voice because they're they're having a tough time hearing us out there.

Right.

You know but I mean we're accustomed to that I mean, Brandon has a great program.

I mean, all of our games are literally wire to wire like this.

So not expected.

We knew we were going to get their best today.

And just proud of how our girls played in that first half.

I mean, what heart and grit from defense.

We got to calm down offensively.

We're a little we're a little nervous, but we'll get it fixed out.

Thanks, Clark.

Thank you.

There we go.

That's early halftime honors.

Even at the interval.

What's going to happen second half.

We'll find out.

Halftime coming up with Nikki and GPB.

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Welcome in to Mercedes Benz Stadium.

We're live on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

It is officially halftime of our girls flag Division four matchup between Milton and Blessed Trinity.

Let's waste no time and go ahead and take a look at our Georgia EMC scoreboard of today's matchup.

Somehow it's scoreless at the half, and these two teams are incredibly familiar with each other.

We've seen some flashes of promise, but nothing has translated yet to the scoreboard.

The defense has both of these teams shut out right now.

We heard coach Milton or Coach Nixon up, Milton told John at the half is probably going to come down wire to wire.

So we'll see how that goes with the second half.

Now from the Georgia EMC scoreboard to the Georgia EMC Awards, our own John Nelson has more on this year's winners.

Take a look.

One, 23.

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Congratulations to all the winners this year.

And thanks to our friends over at Georgia EMC for the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards.

All season long we have showcased some incredible student athletes thanks to our You Save It pharmacy.

And today we've got Zulma Valdivieso Gutierrez.

She is a soccer player from Cedar Shoals High School, and she knows a thing or two well really?

Three about scoring goals?

Check it out.

She's a very instinctual player.

It just pops into her head and she goes.

She knows how to move and how to place herself while the ball is moving up the field so that she's in the best position to then receive the ball and score.

Hitting 100 goals as a junior is like a crazy stat to have.

She led the state in scoring last year.

So she scored 58 goals last season.

So that's a hat trick, a game which to even hit a hat trick in a game is insane.

But to hit one nearly every single game is phenomenal.

I think she will not only do well, but exceed at the next level.

We love showcasing those student athletes, and over the course of three days, right here with our football championship coverage, we've got some great student athletes that are out there on the field.

Let's go ahead and take our winners from.

Earlier this morning we had the flag Division three matchup between Whitewater and North Oconee.

It was all Titans.

They beat Whitewater 31-6 Our player of the game was Kallie Mashburn.

She had two touchdowns.

Mashburn also grabbed a pick.

It was her ninth of the season, so nothing but the Titans right there.

Oh wait no that was Katherine Connor.

She was the senior quarterback for North Oconee.

I'm so sorry.

She was our player of the game.

She had over 4,600 yards this season, including 67 touchdowns, a 71% completion rating.

And my goodness, she they have been at the state championship game the past few years.

But they finally got the win.

She went out not only as a champion but also our player of the game.

So congratulations again to her.

And then now we've got our game going on.

Right now this is the flag Division four game between Milton and Blessed Trinity.

They are scoreless at the half now.

Blessed Trinity they were here last year.

Came up Short Milton they were the runners up in 2022.

These two teams, they played each other in November.

They also play each other in the region.

And while Milton came out of that game, they won 18-12 So these are two teams extremely familiar with each other and coach Nixon out of Milton.

Well, he even went to Blessed Trinity.

So again, these two teams are 5 miles apart.

Lots of familiarity.

So we expect the scoreboard to go up, hopefully just a little bit here at the second half and we've got our second half coming up on the other side of the break.

Keep it right here on GPB.

We'll be right back.

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What?

Come on.

Oh come on.

Oh, what a bad call.

You have no business being out there.

Terrible.

You know, I'm a person too.

The division four flag football state championship, the Blessed Trinity Titans in the Milton Eagles are scoreless.

We welcome you up to our broadcast booth alongside Dave Reynolds and Wiley Ballard and Dave.

That was quite the defensive struggle in both.

These teams competed at a high level.

They faced the best competition in all of Georgia, and BT had some opportunities there late in that first half, but the Milton defense came through.

Nice job by the Eagle defense getting off the field.

Three red zone opportunities.

Milton offense, zero first downs in the first half.

Nice content.

Contested passes, good job pulling flag just defense.

But like they say all the time, defense wins championships.

Ben don't break.

And particularly the way these two teams have been in coverage.

It just feels like every receiver has had no room to breathe.

And how about the play of that first half?

That was the interception we saw from Addison Wichman.

Yeah, again, just well coached teams and we talked about that in the pregame about the two coaches.

They know each other, they're well coached and the players are doing what they're supposed to.

So let's go down to Jon Nelson.

He's joined by Blessed Trinity head coach Brandon Harwell.

No secrets down here with you two.

I mean obviously close friends, close programs 1-2 in the area.

What did you think of that first half?

I mean, I thought it was great on defense.

I thought we did a really good job.

We missed some opportunities on offense, but it was it was there.

I think we had some chances.

What we need to do is we need to get a stop and get the ball back in decent field position, but Milton has so much length.

They're so athletic, so very well coached.

We just got to take advantage of our opportunities when they're there.

So then with their length and their height, is it trying to get behind them, trying to work your way, you know, to create man advantages.

How do you combat something like that.

So I think it's looking to see if we can make them move maybe to get them in a misdirection where maybe we can slide.

We had that big one where we misdirected, pulled everybody across and threw back across the field.

I think with that length, the more we can get them going side to side, eventually, hopefully we'll be able to pop one.

Well, we'll keep an eye on that side to side.

Thanks, Brandon.

Thanks a lot.

Appreciate it.

There we go.

That's the early thoughts as we head to the third quarter.

So that one play Wiley where we were looking and Dave where you saw everybody roll.

Right.

But then you have Spak the quarterback come back and throw to the left, keep an eye on those kinds of moments from BT's offense here in the second half.

Guys.

I think you're right.

It's going to be can Blessed Trinity find a way to hold off Milton's rush, which has been so strong today, and Milton only run seven plays offensively.

So as good as BT's defense has been, it's really been a function of just the Milton offense not having enough opportunities.

Well, if I have the football, you cannot score.

So nice job of controlling the time of possession by offense.

And again, I think they have seven players on defense for Milton, but it just seems like their girls are just in the right spot across the field.

Like you just talked about the rushers going up the field, applying that pressure, batting the balls down.

When you do have time to get the pass up and over the top.

, and you saw there a moment ago, Keljen McCants senior rusher for Milton and our hearts and sympathies are with her and her family.

Her father, Kellee, was a cardiologist in the area and passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving.

So she is competing with a heavy heart.

Her entire team went to the funeral nine days ago, and we spoke to Coach Nixon about it.

He said one of the reasons he feels like they have been able to absorb this blow is just how close she is with her teammates and how tight their team is.

The culture and I mean, you just can't help but your heart aches for Keljen and their entire family for that sudden and tragic loss.

But also know that Kellee is looking down, watching his senior daughter compete in the state championship.

And so far, playing a really strong game.

As we begin this third quarter.

Milton with the football and a pitch off to the left side and good hands in the secondary that time, the pull coming from Amelia Comeaux and there's a look at the halftime stats.

Not a lot of yards Dave, especially on the ground.

Not for a quarterback who has over 4,500 yards passing.

He kept down to 15-1 in the first half.

Again see what kind of adjustments they can make.

Nice job right there on first down to start the drive.

A little bit of pitch and catch hook and ladder style offense.

Yeah Milton just doubled their yards total with that ten yard gain.

Ball in the air incomplete.

And that's Amelia Comeaux again.

Comeaux second down.

Surprisingly enough it's a first year playing flag football and just has a high IQ.

You can't say it enough.

You almost wish to talk about something else.

What an athlete.

And there's just one way to describe what you're seeing on the field.

From both teams, on both sides of the ball.

And flag football is a sport where, you know, obviously there are X's and O's.

There's a lot of that going on, but a lot of it is played in space.

And how well are you able to create and be creative athletically?

You talk about spatial awareness okay.

It's like basketball in that zone defense.

That helps that a lot.

Lacrosse players are people who you see a lot.

Sure you get the track stars that that have that speed.

You have the softball players that have that hand-eye coordination.

So definitely the multi-sport athletes are very important.

The only problem is kind of limits some practice time when you have a basketball softball player on your roster but again, shout out to all the coaches across the state who have facilitated multi sport athletes and finding ways to get those practice times figured out.

So third down and six.

Got to get to midfield a pitch back around the left side.

That's a first down.

Alliyah Holmes received the pitch and got it across the line of gain.

But first the catch to Alana Calhoun.

Beats defense, pulls flags at a high level.

So what do you do with that?

You gotta get the ball to the next person.

You saw the hook and ladder twice already for this drive.

Makes it even more challenging.

The person who's not getting the ball thrown to them, that defender has to stay with their person for the pitch relationship.

So first and 18 Jensen surveying dumps it off and hauled in by Jessie De Groodt, who did not play last year.

She came out for flag as a freshman and then last year didn't play.

Her primary sport is lacrosse.

Was worried about getting potentially injured with some potential college scholarship offers coming through in lacrosse.

But she is back on the field this year.

And again, that IQ is still growing new to the sport, but she's stepping in for Ava Thompson, who sprained her ankle in the second round against Eastside.

So second down and long.

Floated over top and hauled in another chunk that time.

Kylie Parsons with the catch.

Starting to get starting to get everybody involved in the offense just chipping away down the field.

Nice job.

High point in the ball.

Picking up a couple more yards.

Just trying to stay on pace.

You're in four down territory.

Will be on the plus side of the field.

Playbooks wide open.

Good patience by Jensen at the quarterback spot.

Not forcing the issue.

Play one on the backside wheel.

Wasn't there.

Took the underneath route.

Nice calm cool.

Collected drive here by the quarterback.

Third and goal from the four.

Jensen fakes spins and she couldn't get the throw off cleanly.

She does get it away before her flag is pulled but off balance.

Tough play.

And now fourth down and four.

Maggie Sullivan just showing that pressure up front.

Even with the little attempt at misdirection plays right through that gets up the field.

Forces that pass touched earlier.

Audrey Jensen probably liked.

Eighth play of the drive Milton ran just seven in the first half, and a first down catch from Caroline Marshall.

Found the soft spot and Jensen fires a bullet.

Everybody getting involved on this drive here.

Just finding like you just said, find that open spot.

Sit down right there.

That's a good heads up by the four year starter.

Just playing pitch and catch down the field.

We get down here though.

You got to finish right.

It's been in the red zone three times a day.

Eagles first time moving the ball on offense.

First and goal from the 17.

Calhoun with the catch.

And the pull from Hannah Daley.

Aydyn second down.

Gotta find a way to pressure the quarterback.

Just sitting back there.

Like I said, over 4,600 yards on offense on the season.

Looks like we got an injury here.

Ava Thompson we mentioned she sprained that ankle against East Side trying to play through it here in the state championship.

So on second down Jensen rolls left gets it up to the end zone.

It's picked off.

But she is sacked.

The flag pulled from Audrey Jensen hips before she let go of the ball.

And ultimately that works out in Milton's favor.

Jensen makes the quarterback roll to her left, takes an extra second.

Just gets the flag off Maggie Sullivan running right by two screen blockers.

Relentless effort.

Pulls the flag just in time.

These are very challenging calls to get correct.

And Caroline did it again.

White hat position.

Jensen right side this time is Marshall tries to lean out that way towards the sideline on a play like we just saw two plays ago.

David.

What is the rule?

When is that flag considered off?

So when that clip breaks, the runner has the ball.

She's down okay.

Plays over there.

That's like a pass fumble situation and tackle football where you have that defender contacting the Pasha's arm.

We saw one last night late.

That was very challenging.

Calls happens really fast.

A lot of pieces taken on.

Fourth down and 17.

Deep.

And that pass is intercepted.

Chelsea Lewis picks it off.

She was the one who had the interception a couple of plays ago.

They got waved off by the sack.

Lewis looking for Alana Calhoun.

Softball player back there just floating around.

You know the goal here.

Just keep the ball out of the end zone.

Oh, you know what?

I can go catch this ball.

Good concentration.

The hand strength.

Well contested and knocked that ball down.

She says nope.

We'll take this ball defense.

Let's get off the field.

Nice job of bend.

Don't break.

Tighten defense.

So it is first and 14 deep in their own territory.

Pitched ahead and back to Addie Spak.

Working through her center Adalyn Kramer.

Kramer Spak.

Again.

Milton had that success on their previous drive, pitching and catching the misdirection.

John, you have an update there on the sideline.

Yeah, keeping an eye on Ava Thompson.

She's been trying to flex and extend that right ankle.

Obviously you see it's heavily braced.

We've seen that so far in the game.

She wants to go back in.

She's been talking to physios, coaches and teammates.

We'll keep an eye on it and they're just trying to check her flexibility to see if she can do some quick starts and stops.

Are about to try those drills here.

Behind the Milton players here on this side.

We'll keep an eye on it.

Your heart aches for her, considering she's a senior.

It's been a part of this Milton program for a number of years, and now the state championship, her last game.

You hate to have it missed because of an injury.

So she'll fight to get back.

In the meantime, Blessed Trinity has moved the chains or the figurative chains moved into the new zone.

First down and 17 pitch back to Spak.

She drops it off, completed and knocked down.

Catch that time from Amelia Comeaux.

Definitely see different types of offenses here.

But on this particular style today we're pitching, we're catching, we're pump fake into the center.

We're going to pump it out to the running back, back to the quarterback, back to the running back.

Just getting that ball moving, making the Milton defense responsible for their player.

You saw the fight didn't come off their David.

If you go to the ground on one knee, you are.

Down.

Yeah.

Here we go again.

Right back to the center.

Okay.

Coach Harwell knows.

Let's just keep moving the ball like Coach Nixon just did down the field again.

If I had the football, you can't score.

That's pretty good analysis.

You understand the game at a high level, Dave.

So under 25 seconds left in the third quarter, a big third down and five coming up.

And even if Beaty doesn't get it they can take the quarter break ahead of that fourth down.

Spak is complete.

They've got the first.

She is relying heavily on Adalyn Kramer right now.

Quarter change here.

Coming up.

Coach Nixon is going to have to respect the center.

Now find find a way to slow that down a little bit.

You're bringing the safety down to stop the center right.

What does Coach Harwell do to get above the safety?

What's it going to take to get on the scoreboard?

BT and Milton still scoreless.

We go to the fourth quarter of the state championship game.

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This high school gym used to be packed most nights.

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Tie ball game here inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Milton and Blessed Trinity.

We start the fourth quarter gives us a chance to to acknowledge the tradition of both these schools, again separated by just 5 miles.

Take a look at the Milton.

Notable alumni.

First, you've got Kyle Farnsworth in the major leagues.

Lt Overton John Dewberry, playing quarterback at both Georgia and Tech.

Don't miss out on Michael Waldron either.

Over in Hollywood.

Not a great name.

Carl Dawson, too.

At Auburn, then on the Blessed Trinity side.

Look at the Titans alumni.

Look at all those names.

Number of major league players JD Bertrand playing on this field with the Atlanta Falcons.

Riley Jackson and the National Women's Soccer League.

A lot of great names for both these schools.

When you talk about alumni from both schools, I hope you have a 70 inch wide TV screen to fit them all in there.

Phenomenal school.

Both ends.

So it's first down Spak rolling back left.

She's going to take off and run with it.

And the flag is pulled.

And a lunging effort from Jessie De Groodt.

Back Toomer Bulldogs 17.

So there's 9 minutes and 45 seconds on the clock.

Dave, if you're these two teams, I mean, how many possessions are you really guaranteed the rest of this game?

The way the beat has controlled the clock and Milton Daijon had one successful moving the ball, offensive drives, you know, one, maybe two if they take care of the football.

And that's the challenge so far.

Both teams really good job taking care of the football.

I mean this is still beats first possession of the second half as the flag pulled that time by Braylin Swanick catch for Beaty from Addy Wilson.

Really like the quarterback play here for Beaty right there.

Pretty easy drop back play catch.

But so far, even when she rolls the pocket or gets that pressure up front not forcing the issue.

Maybe not known for her legs.

Not a whole lot of rushing yards on offense for her, but again, taking what the defense gives you.

And if it is there, sure took the ball.

Get up the field for a positive gain.

Got to get it to the 30 yard line.

It's third down and eight pass incomplete.

Looking for Alex Bilson.

And now fourth down and eight.

And really no reason to punt here Dave right.

Yeah.

And that's one that definitely number 1 is going to want back.

You're right there.

You're probably still short of the line to gain.

Before to one.

Pretty sure anybody understands.

Probably easier than fourth and nine.

Fourth and eight.

So kind of changes the play call here a little bit.

Not going to punt the ball.

On the plus side of the field doesn't do anything.

See that misdirection offense here by Beaty.

Can pick up 8 yards.

8:00 to go Spak incomplete.

Holmes in coverage and Milton will take over on downs with a chance to drive late in the fourth for the lead in the state title game.

Looking for Addy Wilson.

Smart pass to get the ball to the outside there, but that's just nothing there with that stingy defense again soaring around the backfield.

Jensen rushing away from the rusher.

Maggie Sullivan looking for Calhoun.

It's incomplete.

Here's a look at the numbers so far for Audrey Jensen.

Not her typical day at the ballpark.

But hey here's the deal.

You're 0-0 The fourth quarter okay you have one good drive here.

Who cares about stats at this stage?

Jensen pass complete to Caroline Marshall now third down.

Just keep chopping that down in distance right here.

Tackle football team staying on on tempo here.

Staying on time.

Keep chopping it down.

Half take care of the football coaches.

Always talk about you gotta win the turnover battle.

Even more so here in the back end of the state championship game.

Ava Thompson back in for Milton at the center position.

Jensen pass is complete to Alana Calhoun for the first down.

With 1 yard to spare or maybe two.

Beaty knows right now they have to pull the flag the first time.

Keep things in front.

Do your job in the same sentence.

The Eagles on offense.

Know if they can control this and get points out of this.

They're in a pretty good spot.

How about the toughness from Ava Thompson playing on a less than 100% ankle?

Jensen gets it to Calhoun the pitch back around the left side.

And a nice job of recognizing Calhoun's pitch to Holmes by the beat defense.

Again, setting up that little little hook and ladder style.

Too much to delay.

There, I see number 20 Holmes get there a little faster.

Again, locked down corner here, pulling flags.

Number 21.

Run that way.

We're going to pull the flag the first time.

Every time.

Yeah.

Caitlyn Ymbras.

Second down.

Jensen fakes the pitch, avoids the rush, sends it in the air.

High and a flag comes out late.

Alana Calhoun and Addison Wickremesekera were tied up.

Wickremesekera had an interception earlier today.

Let's see what the call is.

Pass interference.

Defense.

Automatic first down.

Blessed Trinity not happy with the call.

I like the play call here.

The misdirection slows down.

The rush up front gets the ball up.

Maybe the contact happened before.

Maybe.

Maybe grabbing the arm so she couldn't redirect.

Well, it's now first and three, which puts Milton in a pretty great spot from a play calling perspective.

The goal line is the ten yard line on this tackle football field.

Going for the end zone.

It's caught Alana Calhoun Givens Milton the lead late in the fourth.

Pass all day back there does not get the rush to pressure the quarterback.

Why not go to your star receiver?

Team USA?

Four year starter.

No bigger moment right there to finish that drive off for the Eagles.

Touchdown number 86.

And her Milton career.

Now the critical point after trying to make it 7-0 Little orbit motion Jensen.

Oh and a hard collision shy of the goal line flag comes out.

And let's see.

Is this going to be illegal?

Contact defense or offense.

On defense here?

But I'm sure Carolina will let us know.

Illegal contact on the defense.

Try for one half the distance to the goal.

And shout out to Wiley Bullard up here.

Okay, I'm supposed to be the rules guru, but you just absolutely crushed that call against Simmons trying to pull the flag, but gets right in of that block.

Charge we talked about in basketball.

Kind of analogy and definitely cannot do that.

No harm in tension there, but definitely a foul in flag football.

Well, I'll say this, Dave, if nothing else, this kills a lot of the clock for Milton.

They're about to get trying to get the ball back here to tie it up.

The I beg your pardon?

So now point after for one and it's a direct snap.

And there's the point after bringing it across the goal line, Carson McElroy 7-0 Eagles.

And it looks like Blessed Trinity will let this run to the two minute time-out.

They've got three time-outs and 2:00 to go 64 yards.

Cass did not call a time-out as soon as that try was over.

That would have stopped the game clock.

And maybe that was 20.

I think it was 22230.

For the two minute warning.

So had more time there.

Again, the try there when you're on the 1.5 yard line.

Advantage offense a little easier of a score there on the try.

Well, here we go.

They got 2 minutes to go 64 yards.

Addie Spak going to try and bite off a chunk.

And it's intercepted.

Carson McElroy picks it off.

Tries to get the ball up the field.

Has time.

Phenomenal job of body positioning.

Getting in front of that route again showing that Raines that she has on the defensive side of the world.

All right so Dave looking ahead here it is.

First down in seven a first down for Milton.

Does that end.

It.

Yeah probably you're on that side of the field.

They're burn time-outs clock.

Not a whole lot of options going over the top on offense.

Presnap flag though.

The catch is made by Marshall down the right side.

Let's see what the call is here first as they stop the clock to sort it out.

It would be a first down for Milton.

Based on the timing, legal procedures, amount of motion probably.

Illegal shift on the offense.

Five yard penalty replay.

First down.

That's why she's down there.

It's a shift, not a motion.

She's way better than I am.

A note here.

There are no illegal formations, right?

We see a little bit in tackle football where you have more than four in the backfield.

Flag football, all you have to have is a center on the line of scrimmage.

So no illegal formations on offense.

So 3 yards further to go or beg your pardon?

5 yards further to go.

And under 2 minutes.

The offensive team has the option to stop the clock okay.

So again kind of resetting the the drive here.

But a few seconds did come off.

First and 12 right side is Holmes and her flag pulled by Maggie Sullivan inbounds.

And Blessed Trinity is going to be forced to take a time-out here.

But that's a gain of six.

Alliyah Holmes just cut the distance in half.

Got it right back in a hurry again.

You see her speed.

Nice job getting to the edge, then putting that foot in the ground and getting up field.

Definitely want to take care of the football.

Doesn't want to stay inbounds.

Make Betty call a time-out here.

You do pick up the first down.

That's probably going to be it.

And this situation in tackle football Dave you talk about okay can we force a fumble.

Can we rip something through.

Not an option in flag right.

Yeah.

You cannot bat the ball out of the runner's hand.

So she has possession of the football whether it's tucked away with the five points and my muscles or extended for extra yardage.

You can't bat the ball.

So a fumble.

Again those laterals hit the ground plays over and you cannot hit the ball out of the runner's hands.

So good job there of comparing the two.

Yeah.

So the only real way you're getting a turnover here is an interception.

Or if you intercept a pitch.

Correct.

So Milton again here.

Coach Nixon knows this.

Just take care of the football and do it all day long.

Jensen is going to roll right.

The rush comes up, the ball is thrown.

It's a battle for it.

And who gets possession?

Blessed Trinity does.

It's picked off.

Second interception for Addison Wickremesekera.

Oh my goodness.

I want to see the replay here.

I'm sure Nixon is concerned about what I just talked about.

Can't really rip out the ball.

No, she goes and gets it, jumps that route.

You feel like Marshall has possession here.

I got defense the whole way.

Well I'm asking did she have position at any point and then it was ripped out?

I don't think.

So okay.

Just jumps around and catches it before she has possession.

So second life Spak chucks it deep.

It's complete.

Just shy of midfield to Chelsea Lewis.

Out of bounds.

Stops the clock.

Just when you thought you could go somewhere, flag football says stay right here.

Let's watch the rest of this.

Milton opting to put the ball in the air.

In that final series, needing a first down and worst case scenario happens.

You get a senior quarterback, you trust your players, but that is a huge break for Blessed Trinity the opportunity to take advantage.

Of.

It.

Stepping up Spak deep shot is complete.

Addy Wilson brings it in and here we go.

Holmes knows he's one on one over the top right rushes pin your ears back, try to apply the pressure does not get there in time, but just enough time for Spak to get the ball up.

Hands right there.

Pulls the flag to save the touchdown.

That's important.

Clock is is running now.

Beats on the plus side of the field.

Two time-outs.

You're in four down territory.

Get the play clock correct.

Milton you've been here before.

Can you do it again?

Hardy two red zone stops for Milton today.

In the first half on first and goal from the 15 Sparks pass complete to Sullivan near the ten yard line.

On this 80 yard flag football field, the goal line is what you see painted on the field at the ten yard line.

Yeah.

Now second down with that play going out of bounds to the boundary top of your screen there.

Nice job just pitching and catching the defense gives you OU got time.

If you're Beatty okay.

Running clock the whole time.

But again right now get the play call correct.

Something goes bad.

You still have a time-out.

Final seconds on the play clock.

Spak takes the snap looking towards the end zone, throws it back across the field.

It's complete on the five yard line.

Alex Bilson reels it in and Blessed Trinity willing to let the time run a little bit knowing they've only got two more plays here on third and goal.

This is where because you play multiple sports and you're at a high level in those sports, maybe a little more comfortable seconds left.

Blessed Trinity when will they take their time out?

Run it all the way down.

Make it the last play of the game.

Last play of the fourth quarter.

That's exactly what we're going to have with 1 second left.

Phenomenal job there.

Again good job on number 6.

Maggie Sullivan getting the ball extended right.

Like tackle football with the flag belt is pulled where the ball is located.

Wright read it.

So nice job picking.

Up an.

Extra couple of yards there on third down.

Well, how about Carson McElroy making the stop as well?

Correct.

Let's go down to Jon Nelson.

And give her a shot.

We've got 1 yard to get in there.

I find a crease reach like crazy, right?

Reach like crazy.

Fight.

And if we have to call a time-out, we're going 11 pin.

That's the rundown.

That's what Brandon Harwell Collins.

So can Blessed Trinity find the crease to give themselves a chance to tie it on the point after attempt.

0:03 Fourth quarter.

Division four title on the line.

Touchdown.

Blessed Trinity.

Maggie Sullivan.

And now Blessed Trinity with a point after attempt to try and force overtime.

In case you're looking for a red flag, no video review.

Oh, it gets no closer than that phenomenal effort.

Getting that ball extended.

State championship still on the line right here.

It's got to get in.

And now a time-out called by Milton.

And with all those emotions going on you think maybe might have been Short.

There is no replay in flag football.

Regardless if you're Milton, you got to regroup and say, we got this stopped, we win.

And don't break a lot of plays for the Eagles on defense on this part of the field.

You see the cones again.

The ball snapping from the three.

The defensive neutral zone on the one.

So tough sledding right there in the middle of the field.

Go back to the middle.

Let's go inside the Blessed Trinity.

Huddle.

All right.

Just make sure Maggie you give her time on this, okay?

Give her time.

Fight in.

Do you want a second?

Gatelin.

Every single thing.

All right.

Hey, listen, just get it.

I think it's going to be there either on that corner right here.

We've got this.

We've got the shallow right there.

Got to get to the end zone.

Hannah and James crossed the goal line.

All right.

To force overtime.

Spak right side gets it up.

Did Lewis get her feet in?

Yes.

We go to overtime.

What a magnificent comeback for the Titans.

Second.

The poise.

By the higher Blessed Trinity offense.

Backs against the wall.

Comes all the way back down the field.

Again, you got to finish.

Got to finish that drive.

Extra points.

Massively important.

And flag football.

Yes.

All right, so our overtime rules in flag football, they will have another coin toss.

And much like college tackle football or high school tackle football you're familiar with it's each team gets a possession.

And as we get further into overtime the distances to go get shorter and shorter.

And then that third overtime, it's going to be a one play and you can go for one, two or three on that one play.

And if you're going for three, 15 yards, two 10 yards, one the 3 yards.

Exactly.

And again, even on all those overtimes, if we needed to after you score, you can go for the tribe of your choice.

Yes.

So even though you score seven points, other team gets the ball.

They can go for two as well.

Let's go down to Jon Nelson.

Last time they scored late win in overtime.

Hey.

Dogpile in overtime 22.

Gut gut check to the to the end there, man.

You were really confident this drive down.

Yeah.

So I felt good about our opportunities.

We missed some options there at the end of the game.

And then we just kept going.

We kept working.

This team believes and we've had this situation multiple times.

This is why we played the schedule that we have.

And now we need to go and execute in overtime.

Keep an eye on you.

Thanks, brother.

Great stuff.

Nellie.

That's head coach Brandon Harwell in his fifth season at Blessed Trinity.

They won the state championship in overtime against Milton in 2022.

Milton.

That's their only state championship appearance.

Before today.

And Chelsea Lewis with that huge catch and the point after.

Try getting those feet down.

But circled back one more time to Addison Wickremesekera, who had the interception fighting through Caroline Marshall to secure possession.

I mean, Milton was at a point where they were going to be able to kill a lot of the clock.

They go to the air and BT picks it off.

And here's the coin toss.

And then what side would you like?

So you want to defend that side.

You want.

To play down there right.

And turn for me.

Turn your backs.

So you hope you'll play defense first.

So you all have deferred.

You all receive first.

All right.

Good luck.

Great game.

They live 2 miles apart.

They coached together in the off season with some all star flag football teams.

Now we're going to overtime in the state championship.

Head coach Clark Nixon from Milton.

Head coach Brandon Harwell for Blessed Trinity.

Two good buddies with a lot on the line right now.

And again, shout out to the referee in this ball game Caroline.

She's been here done that as well.

Controls that coin toss.

They're excited emotional.

Make sure it's right.

Nice job in there.

So Caroline Caplinger the official let's go down to Jon Nelson.

He's joined by Milton head coach Clark Nixon.

All right.

So we talked to Brandon.

We talked to you.

What did you talk to them about after the late score.

Just just said, hey, we've been here, right?

I mean, this happened the last time we played them in overtime, right?

I mean, this team is so battle tested.

They're ready.

That's okay.

Look, we just shake it off.

This team believes they're going to go out and win.

We're about to go do that right now.

Very confident.

Clark Nixon.

Obviously we know that.

Clark Nixon gentlemen.

Yes we do.

Wow.

This was a grudge match.

These two schools 5 miles apart.

A rematch from the state title three years ago.

BT won it in overtime.

We'll have an overtime winner again this year.

Addie Spak complete on the rollout.

A modest gain to Maggie Sullivan.

In fact, I think they'll get no gain.

It is now second and goal from the ten.

So you get four downs to score here.

Take care of the football you'd like to a couple positive yards.

There.

Point of note, once the defense, if the defense gets the ball that possession is over.

So no pick six for to end overtime.

This defense gets the ball plays over.

A second.

We are tied at seven second and goal in overtime.

And ball batted in the air.

Incomplete.

Milton had a chance to intercept that pass.

It is now third down.

And goal to go from the ten yard line.

Nice job again continuing to do what you do.

Roll the pocket just all day long.

Knocking passes down by the Eagle defense with their backs against the wall.

Third down here.

No field goals obviously.

Try to cut this distance in half.

Goal line is the ten yard line you see painted on the field.

It's back over the middle.

Touchdown Addie Wilson brings it in for the Titans.

And BT has the lead for the first time today.

Nice job with the slow release by the center not clog up the middle.

You have different levels there of that pass across the middle.

Nice job.

Pitch and catch.

Score on their first drive of this overtime.

And now the point after.

Try.

Gotta go for one from the three.

Spak.

It is caught.

What hands from Hannah Daley fighting through two Milton Eagles.

She secures it and BT leads by seven.

Milton gets the ball next.

Kind of a quiet day for Hannah Daley.

But no better time to get open by your phenomenal route.

Running to create that space and get the points on the board.

How about that route from Hannah Daley?

All right, first and goal from the ten for Milton.

They must get in the end zone and convert that point after Jensen going for it all up to Calhoun.

Oh my goodness, she caught it.

How how Alana Calhoun.

Touchdown.

Just taking a shot on the first play of their possession of overtime.

Bodies everywhere goes up for it.

Stays with it, comes down with it.

Phenomenal job.

Ice in the veins.

We need it.

We got it.

And now to force a second overtime, Milton must score.

Going for one from the three yard line and a time-out is called by Blessed Trinity.

Well, we saw BT in a similar spot offensively where they had to convert their point after to force the first overtime.

And now the shoe's on the other foot.

Milton must score.

I want you to do.

Or else BT will win the state championship.

Okay, listen.

Hey listen Chelsea, they're probably going to bring five to the back of the end zone okay?

You've got to have that.

You've got to watch the curl.

Two intense huddles.

Not much more needs to be said Dave.

And the state championships on the line right here.

Where will Milton go?

Alana Calhoun.

Their top player.

Here we go.

Jensen rolling.

And in we go to double overtime.

Jessie De Groodt makes the catch and we're tied at 14.

Again, where the ball is when the flag is pulled, rolls the pocket right there.

Her feet might be in the field of play.

Ball is definitely across the goal line.

Nice job.

GPB on the camera angles of that incredibly tight.

Try to keep this thing going.

So in second overtime, we're double overtime.

I should say we start at the five.

And this time Milton will get the first possession.

So first and goal from the five.

Direct snap to McElroy reaches forward and she's in a five yard carry up the gut.

Touchdown Milton!

Again, common offensive formation.

Short down and distance.

You think it might go the quarterback.

You think it might go.

The misdirection.

Number 20.

Nope.

Right there.

Soft snap direct snap.

Running back right back up the middle.

Ball extended over the goal line.

Again you want to get the extra point here.

Point after try.

Pitch back a couple of pitches.

Now rolling left.

And the pass is incomplete.

Caroline Marshall trying to get it to the quarterback.

Audrey Jensen so 20-14 now.

You think we're going to the left?

You think we're going to the right.

We're going to fake the fake.

How do you want open?

Just forces it a little too much and cannot connect.

Milton calls that there.

Philly special call.

According to the great John Nelson down the sideline.

So here we go.

First and goal from the five up the middle.

And that flag pulled that time from Keljen McCants Maggie Sullivan on the carry.

It's hard to believe.

At one point we were scoreless with less than 5 minutes to play in this one.

Dave again, phenomenal coach has been talking about it all game long, making in game adjustments.

Girls are giving it 100%.

On both sides of the ball.

So second and goal from the three Spak rolling.

Right walled off throws it over the middle.

It's incomplete.

Lewis and De Groodt battling for it and Jessie De Groodt knocks it down.

A lot of bodies right there.

Risky pass.

That's like driving down the connector at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Just everybody everywhere.

Luckily for the Titans offense, ball falls incomplete.

No harm, no foul.

Third and goal from the three.

Spak caught touchdown.

Hannah Daley and BT will now have a point after to win the state championship.

Down.

Go to target in traffic.

Phenomenal hand strength.

Great concentration.

Oh yeah.

And a little bit of excitement.

Based on where we are today.

BT can win it right here.

Milton needs the stop to force third overtime.

It's to Spak running, looking, reaching.

She's in Blessed Trinity state champions in double overtime.

2021-2020 Titans Brandon Johnson.

Wow!

High IQ rolls the pocket.

Nobody's open to Short down and distance.

Addie Spak just come dogpile with me in the end zone.

What a rush.

Not known necessarily for her running ability.

So when you when you take away the arm, it allows the legs to be more productive.

Phenomenal job by the senior quarterback.

Shake their hands, ladies.

To give the Titans on top.

Blessed Trinity looked done for trailing by seven under 2 minutes to play an interception thrown by Spak.

You thought that was it?

Definitely a talking point.

Ball security at that space.

Important.

How well the pass was contested to become an interception.

Becomes a part of it.

Well Dave what a way to finish this day two of flag football state championships.

Head coach Brandon Harwell celebrating his second state championship as the head coach at Blessed Trinity.

Going through the handshake line.

Thank you, thank you.

Emotional and two very close friends.

They live 2 miles apart.

Clark Nixon a Blessed Trinity alum, has his heart broken for the second time in overtime against Blessed Trinity.

Dave.

What a magnificent way to wrap up day two of flag football state championships.

We've got one more for you tomorrow, but when you think back to this BT Milton game, what's going to stick with.

You?

Again?

The interception there by BT on the back end of the fourth quarter.

And then to finish that drive to finish with the extra point and get it to overtime.

The back and forth and overtime.

The passion the energy.

Again heavyweight coaches right there going at it.

What a better way to start this day of of state championships in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Let's take a look at the highlights from the entire game.

Believe it or not, it was scoreless up until the final 5 minutes today.

Both defenses playing so well.

Dave, it just felt like no receivers could find any space.

Bend don't break early on again.

Defense wins championships, just pulling flags at a high level.

The ball movement left, right, forward, backwards.

Get the ball extended.

And then as things continue to unfold, a big interception from Addison Wickremesekera and Jessie De Groodt going the left side.

And now Milton with the ball back, having a chance perhaps to drive down the field, take the lead late.

Audrey Jensen at quarterback.

And a deep shot intercepted so BT standing tall.

Milton got the ball back again and there it was the go ahead touchdown with about 3:00 remaining Addie Spak first play on the next drive picked off by Carson McElroy.

It looked like it was over at that point.

But BT gets the ball back on an interception and then lunging into the end zone on the final play of regulation, they convert the point after attempt.

Addy Wilson and we go to overtime where BT is able to win it.

One more look and Dale with a big snag battling through contact.

I felt like everyone was asked to play hero at one point or another and then Addie Spak the game winner, reaching across the pylon pylon.

She is in and Blessed Trinity wins the state championship.

Just a thrilling day of flag football here at Mercedes Benz.

And better yet, we've got three more tackle football games coming your way as well.

But Dave, another banner day for flag football in Georgia.

Yeah, absolutely glad to be here.

Bright lights, big stars, athletes everywhere.

What a place to be right now.

Well Blessed Trinity will receive their state championship trophy.

And with that, we send it down to Jon Nelson.

Thank you very much.

Wiley Bullard.

Time to present yet another championship.

First, we want to congratulate Milton for another fantastic season.

Great friends, great rivals with the champs, runner up finish here in 2025.

But to present the trophy this time around took some extra football to do it.

It's the executive director of the Georgia High School Association, Dr.

Tim Scott, and our friends from Alfa Insurance.

Hey guys, let's give a round of applause for two great competitors out there on the field tonight.

Great job ladies.

I mean, what a game.

A little extra game in that two.

And we want to say thank you to Alfa Insurance and Zay present the state championship trophy to Blessed Trinity High School.

We mentioned friends.

We mentioned rivals.

Everybody's close.

Everybody knows one another.

But you end up surviving this one.

I think it's probably the best way to phrase it.

Congratulations.

Thanks so much.

I mean, first of all, thanks so much to our principal Cathy Lancaster Athletic director.

My coach, Ricky Turner.

And then just BT showed up for us.

And we love you guys.

You know, I can't say enough about Coach Nixon and Milton High School.

They've just got a phenomenal team.

We know each other so very well, and I knew it was going to be an exceptionally tough game, and there was no doubt that it was.

But we harped on for the eight days that we had in preparation that it was going to come down to extra points.

We just felt like the extra points were going to be critical, and that's what it ended up coming down to.

But two phenomenal teams that's an unbelievable, unbelievably talented team over there.

Congratulations my friends.

So we can go ahead and say it.

Blessed Trinity state champs in flag in overtime over Milton.

We'll be back Georgia Cotton Commission player of the game.

Coming up on the other side of the break.

Tackle football class A coming up as well from Mercedes Benz on the great GPB stick and stay.

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Welcome in to Mercedes Benz Stadium.

We are live right here on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Now if you're just now joining us, we call this our tailgate party.

Now when we're tailgating, that means we just crowned a state champion and we're getting ready for another matchup that's going to come up right after this tailgate party show.

But oh, my gosh, if you guys are just now joining us, you just missed an incredible matchup of girls flag division four.

Blessed Trinity came out on top.

They won 21-20 in double overtime.

It was an incredible game.

We were scoreless up until about 5 minutes left to go in the half.

And then as you can see, we got all 41 points with the double overtime.

Now Jon Nelson is down there on the field with our player of the game.

John, you have senior quarterback from Betty Addie Spak.

She was cool, calm, under pressure.

They finally got it done.

She's going out a champion her senior year.

Thank you very much.

Our Georgia County commissioner.

Of the game is QB 27 Forbtw.

So that means you get the hat and we picked green for you, and you also get the towel.

And so the towel drapes over the shoulder.

You get to keep that.

That's yours.

Now none of them can have it.

What was it like out there going up against friends with friends and coming out with a state championship?

I mean, it's just like, unbelievable.

I can't even explain it.

It's so out of I mean, out of body experience.

You just go out there and you play and have fun.

No points at the half, the adjustments there, and then things start going up against Milton.

You start getting points, it's back and forth.

It's what everybody kind of anticipated.

Then it goes to overtime.

What was overtime like for you guys?

You guys seemed pretty calm over here.

Yeah.

I mean, we've gone through overtime battles.

I mean, earlier in the season we played Milton and we lost in overtime, but we just knew that this time we're going to we're going to win.

One more for you.

You and a bunch of seniors go out as champs.

What's it going to be like with all of your classmates, all your senior classmates and teammates going out as a champ this time?

I mean, we're just so happy.

It's so fulfilling.

We just we can't wait to bring it back.

And you get to bring it back because I see some Greene up there with some folks that are getting ready for the next game.

Those are your fans up there.

BT Addie Spak Georgia Cotton Commission player of the game.

Natural choice for Georgia.

Our natural choice for player of the game.

That means she gets the hat.

She gets the towel.

Let's send it back up to game two.

And Nikki Palmer.