Good afternoon and welcome to the Georgia Dome where we are live to see Class A high school football championship game between savannah christian undefeated at 14 and oh and Wilcox County 12 and two with some of the most exciting football players you will see in all of the state.

Hi, everybody.

Oxton Clyde's high tech.

My pleasure to be along with the dean of Atlanta sportscasters.

Bobak, no one has seen more talent come through this state than Mr. Barker.

What talent we have tonight.

Oh, I'll tell you.

You know, Stu, if you like offensive football, you're in for a treat because you get to pick your style.

Know, with Savannah Christian, it's an impersonation of Georgia Tech's offense.

They run the veer and for Wilcox County batten down the hatches because they're going to throw it about 70% of the time.

I said 70%.

Coach Chumley says 90%.

Well, it very well could be this afternoon that that is the case.

Let's take a look at Savannah Christian.

They are led by one of the best running backs in high school football in Georgia.

No, he's a young rapper, Stomper number 26, Chris Barnwell.

He's their main threat with 70 career TDs.

He rushes for 6.4 yards per carry.

Well, the defensive side, Donald Chumley, coach of this team, says this is the man, Tanner.

Excuse me, still, this is Tanner Burch.

And he's really something to do.

He makes tackles all over the place.

He had 64 tackles so far in oh nine.

He's had ten for a loss.

Well, it's not too difficult to figure out what this team is going to have to do.

Donald Trump says we got to ball control all the way.

Well, offensively, we're a triple option team and we're going to we're going to have to take what the defense gives us.

We run the football with the fullback being the first option, and we gave it to him.

If not, then we, the quarterback has to make decision whether he's going to run it or pitch it.

We pride ourselves on on being able to control the line of scrimmage up front.

I think our our style of play is, is about ball control and we're going to have to control the football and time of possession if we're going to be successful defensively.

You know, we're a very multiple scheme on defense.

We'll run some, some 50, some forward three, also some stacked defense.

But we're going to try to confuse the defense or the offensive front and we're going to attack the line of scrimmage.

We pride ourselves on stopping the run and at the same time putting pressure on the quarterback.

And that's going to be the key.

Well, you heard the coach talk about defense and one of the big reasons he's going to have to talk defense tonight is the next young man who is at quarterback.

Well, they run multiple defenses.

He's said a lot of four man and three man fronts today because these guys throw it all over the place.

Nick Marshall is the quarterback for Wilcox County.

He wears number 14.

He's got one problem in that range.

He only throws it 85 yards.

That's it, huh?

But he's a he's been offered in both football and basketball by Florida State, and he's still only a junior.

And on the defensive side, Antonio James will be all over the field.

Yeah, you're going to see a lot of him today.

He's a fullback and middle linebacker.

Here's a quiet leader, excellent student, third year starter on special teams.

He's a bit built kid on the squad.

Well, there you see some of the players.

Now, what will coach Mark Ledford do offensively and defensively?

He'll take you inside the huddle.

Offensive early.

We're going to be a team that you're going to see that's going to have receiver spread all over the field will be three, four and five wide.

We have quarterback Nick Marshall, who's at a second tremendous year for us and I think one of the top quarterbacks in the state.

So we like to use his legs and and and his arm strength to get us down the field and get us in the end zone.

Defensively, we're a baseball for a football team.

We try to be pretty aggressive against certain teams, though we've had to adjust and get into the five man front and we're comfortable doing that.

But we have a senior defense and we're not real big.

But we we run and tackle pretty well and we've gotten much better on that side of the ball as the season has gone along.

Well, there's what you have to expect.

It is a great crowd here.

Let's go down to our man on the sideline, Scott Kozlowski.

Thank you very much, Stu.

I'm joined here by a special guest.

This is Frank Switkowski from WJR CLTV in Savannah.

He's been a long time contributor to Prep Sports Plus now broadcasting in Savannah.

How excited is this team to be here?

Well, I'll tell you what.

Very excited.

1969, the last time a state champion in the GHC, 1970, the last time a team from Savannah played in the GHC state championship game.

So as you would imagine, very exciting that here in Savannah.

Well, Wilcox County has been here before.

In fact, they played in the championship game just two years ago.

I talked to Coach Ledford just a few moments ago to ask him about his last minute keys to the game.

Here's what he told me defensively.

They've got to play assignment.

Football means protect against the option on offense.

If they get inside the red zone, they've got to score a touchdown.

And lastly, overcome adversity.

That means turnovers and penalties.

If they can do these three things, he says we'll win this game still.

Well, it's going to be an exciting game.

Two different styles, but great couch talent to sit back, relax, enjoy the afternoon.

The class a high school football championships are coming up next.

And welcome back.

Breaking tackles is one thing.

Breaking through these things is another.

Both both teams have bored great crowds to see this class a high school football championship.

They really are.

It really is great when you talk about the first game at 1:00 in the afternoon and to have these crowds come distances, to be here for the kids, it's a great showing.

Well, there you see part of the crowd.

I talked to some of Will Cox folks and they said they are bringing 3 to 4000.

Wow.

Looks like.

And it looks like it it sure.

Does like it did for Savannah Christian to get ready so this is going to be fun.

Both teams obviously when you're at this level come in on.

A roll.

Savannah, red helmets.

White jerseys and wilcox will be kicking it off.

Nate Morehouse to do the kicking back to receive our Collins and Gulliver short at the ten and here we go enjoy a short kick to about the 17 Go orange with the ball getting some.

Room and he'll be tackled though not yet got off some tackles and finally down at about.

The 22.

What a tough run.

So we're underway.

And as Bo said in the opening watch Savannah that triple option.

Curry doesn't throw it very much.

No, but they run it like crazy and they run it really efficiently.

There's that triple option and they're going with a one man backfield, spreading it out a little early.

So a little different.

Look at Savannah.

Christian calls it out.

For man front.

Curry Hands off up front a big hole and almost a saving tackle Barnwell with a good gain and he'll be close to a first down And it is starting line lineup for Savannah Christian ball but a young young team that backs in receivers, talented Grant Caldwell, as you saw, just took the ball.

A young quarterback and just a young all around team, especially on defense first and ten on the option and it is Harrison with a good pickup of about 4 to 5 yards.

We've seen both phases of this offense now the dove and then the keeper.

Here we have the defense.

It's Miller Harden, Phillips Jackson up front.

Linebackers are Morehouse, James and Collie, a great group there.

And then in the secondary it is Mahogany Grace Howard and Marshall quickness all around this team second down and about to for the Savannah Christian team there's off and running as they are normally Curry's a junior right up the middle and he'll have a first down by plenty.

To for Wilcox County this is all about assignment football in fact this week when they practiced coach told me they didn't even use a ball because that tends to confuse things and guys are running to the ball.

They wanted them to run to the spot the supposed to be.

So where they would simulate the snap and then it was assignment football.

You just had to be where you're supposed to be.

There you see the quarterback put it in the gut, take it out and go up the gut himself.

First and ten just underway here.

Good to have you with us.

For the class, a high school football championship.

If you're just joining us, it's Savannah Christian against Wilcox.

Look like a little jump on the defensive side.

I don't see any flags in another good game.

So Barnwell who can eat up some yards off and running up the middle.

And we talked about him in the open here is really something.

He's the workhorse and he averages a bunch of yards per carry.

Antonio James On the tackle, we should mention that Barnwell comes in a little nicked up during the playoffs, didn't play one complete game, has a back a banged up ankle and coach says he's about 80% to 80%.

I don't see a hunter.

Almost doubtful for this game.

But you know what?

He's he's tough.

Coach says he's a warrior and he's going to go and give them all he's got.

Second down and six, fake it up the middle.

We go again.

And if he is hurting Brown well he's taking most of the load early going.

Oh they fake the pitch this time and just give it back to grandma.

Well, it's a tough it is tough to defend.

I mean, you have to be disciplined on defense, defensive.

All know you really do.

And that's why they did what they did this week, because you can't be in the wrong spot.

If you're in the wrong spot, it goes for big yardage.

This Savannah Christian team, the first undefeated season in Chatham County in 27 years, third down, three to go, had in motion.

The pitches to Franklin.

He gets outside second effort and he will be very close.

To a first down maybe a couple of inches short.

Yeah when you talk about being 14 and oh and you say how going to have a will look how precise the Savannah Christian offense is and look at the way Curry runs it.

That was a, you know, well defense that time.

But this has been an exceptional offense to begin the game.

First down and up for the first down.

So Savannah Christian on a roll in the very early stages their first possession of this ballgame Curry's a junior so he'll be back maybe some of that you will see back at quarterback next year.

Tuck and pitch.

Franklin with the ball has some room and he's got another good gain of about eight yards on.

That first down first possession first down play for this option is very important.

Oh know good point soon did you see the ball handling by Curry the quarterback that was excellent I'm looking at it in binoculars and I thought the dove man had the ball and didn't went outside he just a great ball handler.

We always talk so much about the position players on the offensive line has to be very disciplined in the triple option too.

So it's second down and about two for Savannah Christian.

Who took play to Barnwell and he just eats up yards over 15.

Hundred yards rushing this season over 5000 for.

Career.

That was big yards on the dove and tremendous blocking up front.

And in fact Wilcox County was not true to their assignments that time.

And you'll see the right defensive tackle just took him inside.

RUSH And it was too late.

First down from the 20 Savannah yet to be stopped at all Christian Savannah Christian on a roll and they're used to doing this this is a high powered running offense into the belly Kamara again and he is the workhorse he doesn't look to hurt tonight no afternoon.

That's what warriors do do they just still come to play and suit him up, put on the headgear and turn the dial all the way to the right.

This Wilcox team has been here for a couple of years and they.

Did their game.

How much does experience, even at the high school level, mean to a team?

You know, I think the surroundings and the atmosphere, you know, you're not gaga over it.

In fact, Coach Chumley says, well, I've been here before as a spectator.

I always wanted to come as a coach.

To play again.

That man, Barnwell, I have a feeling we'll be calling his name a.

Lot, recorded at least six or seven times in this fourth first quarter.

So very little gain.

And it will be third down and about five and a half yet.

Coach Chumley was a great player at Georgia.

And of course, did not play here with the dogs because first of all, the dome was built.

Also played Pro Bowl, San Francisco.

So a big man talked to him before the game.

I think he could get his players attached.

Third down, five to go.

So they had a Christian on about the 17 tuck play to Barnwell and we'll be looking at fourth down.

Surprise that didn't go from well watch the offensive line blocked.

Well there you see this block just about 6 minutes left in this first quarter.

Good action.

And this is what the coach said he had to do.

He had to keep that Wilcox offense right off the field.

And so far, so good.

Big fourth down, fourth down.

Got about three and that is going to be very, very close.

Harrison Curry on the tackle.

And it is.

A first down so it has been all run and Coach Chumley said to me if we throw the ball more than 22 yards or even close to that, we don't win this game.

And so far they haven't run the ball.

Once the three man front.

Now for Wilcox County.

First down Barnwell on the carry that's short yardage and they are down to the seven.

And here are the hits from up here.

I like that.

Yeah.

I'll tell.

You something.

It really is a hard hitting.

And, you know, it has to be when you have an offense like this that just tries to run it down your throat.

Savannah Christian second and goal from about the seven.

Looks like a little confusion.

Harrison keeps it and he is down to about the three yard line.

I bet that, you know.

Over the last series the two biggest games have been in that natural cavity there before the between the defensive end who was actually the linebacker who came up and the defensive tackle.

Almost makes you think that they're setting them up for the pitch.

You know, this far.

They're running a three man front with a you know, they've got a player over the center over and over, both guards.

And that leaves the perimeter of the defensive front vulnerable third down.

See that how tight they are?

Yep.

Three to go.

There's the pitch we were.

Talking about and the speed with T.J. Franklin, who is in for Savannah Christian.

A flawless job and.

It's six nothing.

So that was methodical.

I mean, you can't find a better opening drive in in all of football than that.

Timothy McCarthy will be in for the extra point.

And you're right ball.

I mean, when you run every time and you're getting good yardage, especially on first down, it makes it.

Easy and no mistakes.

Pick his up and it is seven to nothing.

But Coach Ledford and his staff have some adjustments to make.

Now.

Now that he's got his defense over here on the sideline for the first time, make some adjustments against that their offense.

So there you have it a flawless drive it's exciting seven to nothing first quarter it is Savannah Christian over Wilcox Savannah Christian's game plan was to keep it on the ground and to eat up time.

How about this for a first drive 14 plays ball 71 yards and then look at the time 805 wow.

Picture pro, you couldn't draw it up any better than that.

Well, now you're going to see something a little different.

If this was a basketball game, you would see a team that passes around and stalls a little.

It gets a fast breaking team.

Wilcox likes to get out there and throw the ball.

That's the touchdown.

Here it is.

This great block blocking.

You see the kick out on the end.

That's the way Coach draws it up on the blackboard and you come out and execute like that.

You can tell why they're undefeated.

McCarthy To kick the ball off, it will be going to.

Jackson, who will try to take it up the middle, gets one hit, gets two hits and a nice return all the way back to nearly the 36 yard line.

Well, here he is, one of the stars of high school football in all the state.

He's six one or two, however you want to stretch him.

And he can't play football.

And as we mentioned, some basketball.

Yeah.

As we said in the open already offered by Florida State and both basketball and football.

Nick Marshall some great, great numbers from a shotgun 90% of the time.

This is how Wilcox will do it.

75% of the time.

There is movement on the right side that look like number 74.

He is a big guy and he is hard to miss that.

He is Deon Adams.

Dead ball coach.

Start on the offense by guarding him.

Well, we just talked about how precise Savannah Christian was and you have to, quite frankly, match that precision to keep up with a team like that.

And here's his call it The Game for you, Bob Prescott and Levitsky Tops.

And Spencer Smith is your linesmen, Josh Galella, Danny Everett, Mark Lebowski and Mitch Lister.

So it will be first down and 15 for Wilcox County.

Man in motion fake.

There you see it right over the middle to take Porter and look out for Tate Porter.

He is a big play guy.

Those three throw pretty ball was beautiful.

Let's look at these starting lineups.

It is hard the quarter Adams and Cohen that is a veteran group of seniors with Fuller in there and that it is Miller outlaw Holmes Ferguson.

A lot of speed and talent Griffin is your tight end and and that is a lot of speed on the outside.

Well this young man is going to have a decision to make.

But he's only a junior stoop.

Only junior recruit, as you mentioned.

Here we go with the defense.

This is a young group, Morton Lemmons, Davis and Burk Brown is in the middle.

These are DL.

The linebackers are Birch and Whitman.

Sorry see that makes the plays in that it's Katzman Baker, Gilbert and Cohen and your secondary Cohen's a pretty good player out of the shotgun looking downfield and looking long and that is going to be overthrown, but not by much.

At Bell, you said he could throw it 80 yards.

You know what?

After that throw, I believe it.

Yeah, that was effortless, wasn't it?

And that was 55 yards.

I saw them throwing this ball in warmups.

At this point, when he lets it go, you can see the receiver isn't open, but he throws it out there and lets the receivers go get it.

Good coverage by bacon.

All mahogany and it is second down and ten out of the garden, out of trouble and look out.

This is why this guy is who he is a great guard of nearly 14 yards.

And that'll be a first down.

Stu, he doesn't run.

He blows.

Yeah.

You're absolutely right.

He does.

He floats his feet up close to the ground.

He just keeps it going.

Almost 2500 yards passing this year, 27 touchdown passes.

That has been mentioned.

Only a junior, oh 6 to £188.

It sounds like good size to me for a point guard or quarterback so it's first down from the 38 Wilcox on the move pass the ball and there we see him get out of trouble again What a pass incomplete intended to the lot of outlaw.

But he's spectacular to watch just throwing just a throwing motion just the way the ball comes out of that tight spiral and he's throwing with gloves on.

Oh, I don't know how you do that.

When I was a kid, you couldn't do that.

Of course, we had woolen mittens at the time.

Well, when you were a kid, did you have face masks?

No.

Can you tell?

It is second down and 10/1 quarter.

Good to have you with us.

The class a high school football championships from the Georgia Dome Steeple Titanic and bobble second down ten to go from the 38 Wilcox all the move back and it's in trouble Rush there but has some time over the middle and behind his intended receiver Marcus Griffin just could get to it.

You know, just a story of total opposites Savannah Christian drove it down did pass once Wilcox is driving it down hasn't run once.

And only once you get them with scrambles.

Now, I will tell you this, that Wilcox has only tried and attempted one field goal this entire season.

No kidding.

So what?

It's fourth down there going if it's in this vicinity to field, which I think they might do.

But let's see, it's third down.

It's ten to go.

Wilcox with the ball, 3 minutes to go.

First quarter out of the gun and trying to get out of some trouble.

He does ever see.

It looking down has to look at this.

Look at how smart opener it is.

Good play to Jonathan Howard.

What a throw.

What a catch.

What a play.

He when he was under pressure and you know keep his composure, look downfield identify his receiver who's open and I think if I'm that defensive back and I'm just guessing you're probably quitting on the play because he can't get it there right?

You want an arm?

What an arm.

You are right.

Ball.

You they haven't seen anybody all year who could get it that far down the field.

So you just quit on your coverage here.

You see him getting out of trouble loads up, steps up and has ball bohrer.

It has a quick release with the wrist.

Yeah.

And it is down there.

So first down from the two as Wilcox is answering back at a timeout by Wilcox, want to talk it over.

First time out for Wilcox County.

Well so far everyone is living up to their billing.

Let me mention that after opener your presence on Christmas Day, check in with GPB to see how the holiday is celebrated on the other side of the pod.

Rick Steves European Christmas.

We'll bring you a variety of holiday traditions from all over the globe.

Join us on Christmas Day at 7 p.m..

I'm kind of sorry you read that.

One.

Because, you know, you're talking about Christmas opening presents.

You haven't even called me to ask my sizes so you can give me something.

I got you an extra large.

I'm going to tell you what I got you.

Okay.

Just extra large.

Well, there you have it.

A great opening quarter.

And we talked about these two off Axis Wilcox second trip to the final three here.

So they do have that experience.

And Coach Ledford was the region coach of the year in 0107 and oh eight.

He's really got it cooking.

It looked outstanding.

Wilcox took the time out.

Let's see what they have in mind as they set up the I will mention so maybe just.

Maybe we'll see our first run for Wilcox in the afternoon pitch fake reverse.

Opening and as easy as that Jamal Holmes is it to make this a seven.

Six ballgame?

What a great call.

Tremendous call.

And then you you know, you kind of block the defense when you make the reverse and have everybody kind of slamming inside and you take it outside.

And just the first run of the afternoon.

It it was the first one we talked about Savannah Christian having a flawless four series.

And so did Wilcox, besides a couple incomplete passes, but they were on target.

The only imperfection they had was their false start.

On the first down they.

Morehouse to try the extra point oh snap.

And it is blocked.

Whoa it is blocked.

Kenny Katzman in with the block at it.

It was a 7 to 6 ball game boy.

He came rocketing in there.

From the left side.

Look at that.

Smothered.

I don't even know if it got off the tee.

It didn't.

I think he almost cut to put it down.

Defensive player could have placed that one.

So a little problem on that right side of the offensive line on that extra point, we've got a 7 to 6 ballgame.

Well, that kind of takes your wind away a little bit.

You know, you you come down with a great drive score to tie it up and then you don't tie it up.

Well, that's that's even bigger.

But when you consider that Wilcox doesn't kick field goals right?

Yeah, exactly.

So they're going to have to make that up perhaps later on if this is a close ballgame with a two point conversion.

Well, that was an assignment mistake.

I mean, then he shouldn't come free like that and just absolutely come unimpeded to the kicker.

Govan and coach back Morehouse to kick off great crowds on hand all weekend long.

So late this afternoon no difference kick a short will come down at about the ten yard line go over with the ball left side and he's got some blocks and a whole 42 still on his feet.

And he will stay there on the 42 yard line.

So good starting position for Savannah Christian.

Nice run back to little hurdle there toward the end here we go.

Touchdown.

Coming up.

They look easy with the first look.

At that great blocking kicking out the defensive end.

First down from the 42.

They're on 42.

So they had a Christian to start things off with that triple option fake inside handoff and it is red still not down still running with the ball is Franklin and he just about gets back to the lot of scrimmage Tyrell miller with the tackle.

Well hats off to Wilcox County, maybe that was one of the adjustments they made to be able to take that away because I don't think there were any losses on that first drive where there's no.

No losses on that first drive, everything positive yardage and that looks like a half yard loss.

So here it is right here.

Could have been a bigger loss except for his strengths and break away from that first tackle.

So it's second down and call it ten yards, ten and a half yards for Savannah Christian, up the middle, up the belly for about two is Bardwell.

Going back to the bread and butter of that of the veer offense that dove flag.

This Wilcox team win loss to game one was a blow.

Out personal foul after the play.

Personal foul.

Let's see if we can see it on this replay call handoff right there.

The dove, well, it was off camera.

There might have been a little mixed up right in there.

Yeah.

And the old saying goes, he who gets in second gets the flag.

So a big game takes it all the way down to the Wilcox 38 and a half yard line first down to go so that a Christian yet to be stopped with 120 to go in this first quarter fake up the belly Harrison Curry on the keeper.

For about three so the defense has stiffened a little bit to the full better idea they're not wild eyed or wide eyed rather just looking at that offense in the ball handling, they're making commitments and getting back to their assignment.

Football, just going where they're supposed to be.

Kind of defense against this offense, even they see it for the first time.

Get in a rhythm to game goes on.

It's very tough.

That's why Georgia Tech was so successful is because, you know, not as successful in the bowl games as now.

You've got 30, 30 days to prepare.

But, you know, week to week it's Tuesday before the defense can really get into what you're trying to do.

Harrison Curry up the middle, hands off.

And that is a great game by Barnwell all the way down to the 21 yard line.

It will be first and ten quick.

Opener that dove playing.

You've got to take that away.

First of all, if you're Wilcox County, if you got any chance at all.

And so far this Savannah Christian T and I showed you why they are due.

To the job that offensive line would soon see that center come around.

It's almost like a trap play.

Took Antonio James for a ride first down from the 23 up the belly again to the outside.

Barnwell got moves and got room and he takes it out of bounds at the eight.

Just a quick hit a great move by Barnwell just to get outside.

Great vision on his part.

He's got a good burst to go.

He does so the triple option yet to be stopped.

He still we may be in for a scoring marathon here in this game.

I was thinking the same thing I was thinking.

We're looking at about a 4542 ballgame.

But the only thing is that Savannah takes so much time to score.

Well, yeah.

You might not get up that the.

Other guys can score in one place.

They had in motion.

Look at the blocking to.

Austin double play Lee all down to about the five yard line.

And a great play great defensive play.

You get through that blocking because he had to get an entourage on the outside.

First quarter all the action you could want it is 7 to 6 Savannah Christian over Wilcox much more exciting football coming your way or GPB after one quarter in the class AA football championship there you see it Savannah Christian seven the Wilcox.

Sixth boy Savannah Christian rushed at 21 times for 107 yards in that first quarter.

Start of the second quarter from the nine Savannah Christian second down goal to go.

There's a they pitch and it is way back to the 19.

Barnwell just couldn't get that one and it looked like it was a little high in a way, as they say in baseball.

Yeah, a little different look this time on that veer option.

And this was the straight pitch and it was high in a way.

And that was what first mistake for Savannah Christian in their eyes.

Up till now they've been perfect and that's what you're looking for if you're a Wilcox now is the time to carve because the way things going, the Savannah Christian isn't going to make too.

Many mistakes on offense, time of possession.

Look at that up the middle guard role again.

And he is going to.

Be a horse all day.

10 minutes, two less than two for Wilcox.

The amazing.

Wilcox County.

Just going to find a way to take that drive away to get it right here.

This is too easy.

We're opening up holes.

There's no doubt about that.

Oh, looks like fourth down and I'd say about a half a yard, so we'll take a timeout.

So they had a Christian will.

Savannah Christian talk about out.

And I'm guessing Barnwell might be on their mind just hand the ball.

A little bit so yeah yeah give it to Barnwell close your eyes and you don't even have to wish for hope Discount the yards.

Well, we talked about these two teams.

There's the coach, the football player, big man and had a great college and pretty darn good pro career.

First quarter stats are amazing Barnwell with 11 attempts and 60 yards already in the first quarter, drafted by the fourth honors in 1985.

We'll give the coach a break and said he graduated early and was only 18.

You know, longtime Georgia fans, of course, will remember the name Donald Chumley.

Defensive tackle at Georgia 85.

He's a big man.

He's about, isn't it?

With me, I bet, is six four.

And it looks like he's in shape.

So tough, man.

Tough team.

Touchdown.

So here we go.

Fourth down and goal to go.

Fourth and goal so let's see what we have here.

Barnwell the lone setback added motion fake to Blackwell fake outside up the middle.

And how about that?

That Wilcox defense holds the ball?

You might as well because they've been not really that strong against the dove Hook most of the afternoon most of this first quarter and change.

So you might as well go with your bread and butter there.

Here you see it right here.

And that number 31 just comes up, does a great job.

Chris Coley on the tackle and very nicely done had an assist for Morehouse first to go first down and Wilcox on about the six yard line let's see if they try to go long as they spread it out.

Five men wide oh back to his own, Edson.

He'll take it out.

Running and running.

And he stepped out.

But there is some excitement.

Did he step?

I've missed that.

I thought he was in battle.

He stepped out.

I saw his football up here, but it was pretty exciting.

Boy, he's really a classy athlete, isn't he?

Here, you see, right here looking, throwing it out of the shadow of their own end zone.

Where you mentioned.

The first tackler.

You mentioned.

It earlier.

It is very nice.

Yeah.

Vic Marshall floats.

You're right.

Yeah, absolutely floats.

So it's first down from the 30 Wilcox on offense and looking long.

Has a man beautiful pass.

Wide open and he could take it all the way Nate Morehouse what a throw What a catch and I'm not here long Bob.

Mike Wilcox offense you know it may be the third quarter before Savannah Christian gets used to how far they have to defend down the field.

But there is a flag on the field.

Illegal formation.

Oh, how about that one scrimmage on the offense?

Five yard delivery, play the down.

So a 71 yard touchdown is negated and try to get an explanation of just what went wrong.

What did the referee say?

I must say not enough men on the line of scrimmage.

That's what I.

Believe.

Too many men.

I thought he said too many men on the line of scrimmage there.

You can count.

Them.

Yeah, well, you don't see outside right.

What a pass, though.

What a catch.

My goodness.

Doesn't he throw a beautiful ball.

Coach a little hot.

Took Coach Ledford by surprise.

That call.

Coach Charlie doesn't understand what went wrong, but here we go.

So it was an exciting play.

All brought back first down and 15 for Wilcox just reloading again.

Oh, deflected and caught.

Taylor Porter caught the ball.

John Burke deflected it.

What do you have that opportunity still?

You've got to make that catch.

You've got to make that interception because you know, from the looks of things, he doesn't throw too many.

And he was going one way and throwing the.

Ball right here.

Yeah.

And now there you see it.

Tough thing to do.

Larry Outlaw had a huge play to win a game in the playoffs.

An 80 yard touchdown play so he can't fly first down Wilcox from there on 41/2 quarter 7 to 6 looks like trying to steal the screen and boy, was that dangerous.

And Terry Porter is sent down by Eric Whitman for about a loss of three.

You know, hats off to Savannah Christian's defensive front because they diagnosed that right away.

They didn't penetrate too far.

They stayed back where the receiver was going to be.

So you won't see anybody commit your pick, you hear, because they're laying back.

Look at that.

That was dangerous.

That was that was smart on their part.

And you're right, it was dangerous for Wilcox County.

We could have had fun with one of those big guys of interceptions, see how far he could go second down 12 to go for Wilcox from about the 40 yard line.

Back again, scrambling again, speed again and.

Good yardage again.

Now Kirk with a tackle and Nick Marshall with a good game and it looks like.

A third one fluke.

Third one Savannah spying on the big guy you have a linebacker following him wherever he goes.

So a third down and one to go but it doesn't really matter because this Wilcox team will go for it on fourth and probably from midfield in the eye formation.

And the toss.

Good cut, good ball.

Holmes looks like just has enough.

That was good vision on his part.

You see it right here.

He's surveying.

Surveying makes that cut up.

Saw that saw the space and went for it.

So the drive stays alive.

Very Seahawks, 75 rushes, 436 and eight touchdowns on the season.

Just a freshman.

Wow.

He is a star in the making again from the I. Wilcox with first from.

Ten from the 48 of the Savannah Christian team going long again good coverage has a mad hole and it's incomplete.

Tillery not long Ryan Bacon on the coverage Oh well that's at least the fourth of over 35 to 40 yards that they tried.

And here you see, well, the flick of the wrist.

Yeah.

And he's got a brother who's a wide receiver too.

He wears number seven.

They're both big kids and they call him 711.

I like it.

Throw it to 711.

Second down and ten yards to go.

Wilcox goes back to the shotgun.

Three men on the near side, one to the far nice reverse pivot, hardly has a man good.

And he is in there, Johnathan Howard, with some good fancy.

Footwork along the sideline.

See Howard is close brother.

The that the same mama and daddy.

Right.

But one took the mama's maiden and.

That's what I understand from the coach.

Still there's brotherly love there.

Yes, I mean, the ball.

Good brother.

Look at that footwork along the sideline.

Got both feet in, as a matter of fact.

So it's first down ten to go from the 18 yard line in the shotgun.

Once again, Nick Marshall directing this offense, little bit of a high snap and he is going to take off and look at the to the outside, to.

The ten to the eight to the three flag down.

And that might be.

Either a facemask or a late hit.

But let's see what speed.

Speed tell you what.

Walk the back offense.

Ten yard penalty from the spot of the foul replay, the down.

Or could be a block in the back.

And boy, is this Wilcox team getting hurt by penalties lots of big time plays that's to.

You see that you know I was going to say that Nick Marshall doesn't even need a deodorant because he doesn't feel pressure.

He doesn't seem to perspire out there.

He just runs the space.

He does.

I didn't know where you were going with that, but you're right.

So we've got first down from the 24, this Wilcox offense.

He doesn't seem to care about how much yardage is needed.

They just get it.

Oh, empty backfield.

Woman to the near side looking over plenty of time could take off and run for a lot of yardage but isn't waiting again, circling around, taking his time and throwing to the yard.

So they had at least five or 6 seconds back there.

Ty Porter, the intended receiver.

Unbelievable ball I think he could have run for that is.

Oh yeah.

I think we wanted to we wanted to throw it was in his mind I'm going to throw it.

He's a floater.

He's a free spirit.

We're here.

He gets right here looking.

I'm looking.

Surveying.

Watch.

When I come around.

There's no panic it puts the ball right on the money that should have been caught.

John Katzman with a very good hit to knock that one away so.

It was great defense on Savannah country's part to begin there make it a tough catch.

Second down 12 to go four to the near and we'll try the same thing nice pass little wide incomplete Stanley Ferguson the intended receiver so this is for down territory for this Wilcox team.

I said savannah country I meant Savannah Christian.

Coming right at you.

Look at that.

Oh say even when he incompletion throws a nice tight ball.

Yeah.

Doesn't it.

Just underway in the second quarter.

About 8 minutes or so to go savannah on the strength of a mix next 2.4 wilcox is up 7 to 6 both teams flawless offensively in this fourth first quarter.

Third and about 12.

Third and 12 from the 20 this is.

Floating like a butterfly again here.

Looking over the middle doesn't have anything looking into the end zone and had an intended receiver Rodney Outlaw had it for a second and had a good hit by the court.

GOVAN And that was broken up.

So fourth down, 12 to go and they will go for it.

Good defense again by Savannah Christian.

They had two men there to knock it away.

Let's see here.

If he had it in his hands, it's in traffic.

Boom.

Well, that's great hit.

Yeah.

Defensive player had as much shot at it as the offense.

Bennett Christian really closed well on the ball.

Fourth down and 12.

To go they have to get down to about the nine nine yard line, eight and a half for a first down back.

He goes.

The man who has done it.

All so far this afternoon looking to the end zone and almost intercepted.

Broken up by Kenny Katzman.

So with that last play and both defenses have stepped it up, it is 7 to 6.

So that a Christian over Wilcox County you're listening and watching high school football on GP film TV and welcome back to the Class a high school football championship ball box.

Steve Plotnick, our pleasure to be bringing it to you this afternoon live from the Georgia Dome, where there are a ton of fans on both sides of the field.

So far so good.

Oh, it's been a fun game.

Absolutely.

Just to see the precision of Savannah Christian's beer versus the wide open aerial assault of Wilcox County.

So here we go.

Savannah Christian taking it over Barnwell with the carry and he'll get just about two yards, so he'll be second and eight.

Chris Coley on the stop for Gardner.

They've definitely stiffened up their defensive front.

Well, both have done a much better job in the second quarter defensively.

And I think they just went back the principles they practiced this week of guys, you're not playing this game of football, go to where you're supposed to be and forget where the ball is and the ball will come to you.

Second down in about eight for Savannah Christian.

Keeping the ball and getting some.

Good yardage.

Harrison Curry Now let's see where they spotted.

Their spotting in first down.

First down.

And here we go again with that triple option.

This is what Coach said.

Coach Ledford said before, you know, we've got to get the ball away from Savannah Christian No, just control the clock, control the whole game with their precise ball control.

First down ten to go up the middle 40a yard.

A yard and a half.

If you're generous, is Barnwell.

And that's really what keeps you honest.

Sometimes that belly play.

I was just.

Going to say that's what that's the whole purpose of that call right there just keep them honest, keep them at home, let them know, you know, we haven't, you know, put this on the shelf.

We're coming right at you.

Wilcox pretty veteran group of seniors in the middle of that defense so it is second down eight to go for Savannah Christian that is it motion up the belly again is Bardwell and they may just be trying to wear this Wilcox defense out yeah that's it.

That would be Donald Trump.

You see him right there.

That would be his his philosophy.

You see the tape on his fingers when he signals in a play or a defense so the kids can see them.

But that's you know, that's an old football yo warriors point of view.

Let's just wear them out.

So it is third down and six to go for Savannah Christian second man through is TJ Franklin and it's going to be awfully close.

Let's see where the spot is.

That's the first time we saw that cross book action.

Looks like a first down.

It is.

So they move the chains again with just about 5 minutes to go.

In a first half that has seen some big plays.

You would think there's been a lot more scoring than 7 to 6, but the defense has toughened up and a couple of plays have been called back.

Here it is.

Right up the belly and up.

Yeah.

Second man.

Cross bucket action.

The first time we saw that today.

Antonio James off a stop first down ten to go from the 42 so they had a Christian with the option to the outside and it will be Harrison Curry Curry with the carry.

See that's just a modest game.

That's five yards.

I'm sick of the same thing too.

You get five yards.

This triple option here, that is a good first down play.

They had a Christian coming in 42 though.

A perfect season.

Wilcox 12 and two one of the losses they were up by nine.

The other losses they lost, they got blown out but had some injuries.

Second down, six to go.

Savannah goes up the middle and there is a flag.

Illegal ship to man moving from snap offense so that'll set back.

Savannah Christian in what so far has been a fairly flag free football.

Yeah I.

Was going to say.

The third.

Savannah Christian losing their minds with an illegal shift.

Well what do you got that much margin?

Yeah, it might be easy to do sometimes.

They seemingly don't do anything wrong in this offense.

It has bo mentioned early.

It is a tough offense to prepare for.

They're talking about it.

The Georgia Tech, Iowa ballgame.

How world is Iowa going to prepare for a game like that?

Same story.

Here.

They have 30 days unlike any other team this year.

Second down in about nine or 11.

Excuse me, savannah.

Second man through is tj frankel.

Still on his feet and he will gain about six.

Same play cross but.

Boy you just wait one time for them to take all this running and throw long.

They they bring that wingman against the grain and hope they catch Wilcox County over pursuing.

Well, I can tell you this the way Savannah plays on offense, it has been a quick first half with only 3 minutes to go their own ball control team, third down, six to go into the belly of that defense is Chris Barnwell and he will be well short by about three and a half yards.

What do they do here?

I would say let's see.

That's a great question, though.

Well, it looks like it looks like they're going to go.

Nobody's coming out.

So fourth down and about three yards to go.

And a big decision tonight.

He made and Coach Huntley is going to go for it.

So this is a big play in the first half.

Let's see what happens.

Curry under center there in motion does it about keeps it himself and he will have much more flag on the play but games about almost 17 yards.

Let's see what the flag was.

Curry has really been a maestro orchestrating this option.

You run the triple option.

You better have a tough quarterback because he's going to get a lot of hits when he doesn't have the ball.

It's like they're talking Faceman to, well.

Let's see what they've got.

Offsetting penalties on the play, holding offense, facemask, defense, those plays wipe out replay the down.

There you had a big first down and it comes back let's see what the coach does.

Yesterday look to the.

Run the same play.

Who was there sees a facemask did you.

Like he took the helmet off.

So here we go again.

208 and counting in the first half of this ballgame and a huge fourth down play for Savannah.

Christian Curry under center.

And in motion, moves it up the gut.

He's stuck.

He's going to be short Paul Yeah he is going to be short was three and he looks.

Like he got one and a half.

So Wilcox will have a short field and the way things are going, they might just try to strike right on the first.

Oh, that's that's their personality.

He'll watch it right here.

Let's see who steps.

Up, linebacker steps right in there in that defensive tackle.

It's hard to say.

Like Terrell Piller got in there, just give that to a team defensive play.

Did a great job of submarine angle.

So what 53.

That is plenty of time this Wilcox offense to do something Nick Marshall so impressive out of the guy out there looks like a little emotional on the near side false start number 54.

Dead ball folks start offense we play first down five yard finish.

Little motion on Justin Hardin so now it'll be first and 15.

You always get the feeling that Wilcox says, Good, we can make a longer play down.

He will just dial up five more yards on that on.

To to the near side to to the far side the bottom of your screen.

Keep an eye on number one.

That's what I mean right there.

Type order one of his favorite receivers Tanner Burch on the stop and that is a good gain of about oh almost nine yards yeah.

You see what a tight ball he throws.

Quarters had a great season with 36 catch.

Watch this Look at the receiver coming.

He gets it out second down.

Looks like there'll be a timeout.

Wilcox wants it on offense, second down and about six yards to go with 121 in what has been an entertaining first half of football in this class.

Now, in his second time out.

Coach Chumley likes this group of ball players and he'll tell you why.

I think.

I think the number one thing that's so special about this year's team is just the ability to overcome adversity, to rise to the occasion, regardless of what the circumstances are.

And they they never give up.

We've been had our backs against the wall in several, several games this throughout the year.

And they've just refused to quit.

And they always believe they're going to find a way to do it.

And and it's truly been a pleasure to be a part of this team because it is special.

You know, I talked to coach before the game about this team and certainly when you're undefeated, you would think, is that the best team?

And the first words out of his mouth, though, are not the best team maybe, but the best group.

Those kids.

Great character kids who know how to down and and come up with something extra in tough times.

Seven, six 121 to go.

So they had a Christian over Wilcox of this class, a football high school championship from the Georgia Dome.

Our pleasure to be bringing it to you live inside handoff.

And Jerry Jackson is wrapped up by Eric Whitman on what was a great hit.

You got to take a look at this defensive front.

It's all helter skelter and it's confusing.

Wilcox County, they don't know who to block and especially on a running play like that.

What's this?

See?

See where they are?

They're just all helter skelter.

Nobody's lined up conventionally, right?

They didn't even take a defensive stance.

And they stopped in Wilcox County.

Didn't know who to block.

Well, interesting.

The same set up here out of the gun going law, going deep has a man throw it or is it what an effort by Ty Porter who was just a step behind that ball.

I thought I thought he dove and caused that but that's what he was doing in pre game throwing balls like this and didn't miss 100.

No Nick Marshall put a lot of air onto that one.

He gave his guy a chance to catch it.

And now Wilcox will be punting for the first time this afternoon.

What's this?

What is this?

I've never seen this before.

This is a punt.

This is a punt.

This is what they call a punt.

I'm guessing they don't practice this too much, but Brad Lawson will be back to punt.

High snap has to back up.

Looking to angle it?

Nah, not a bad kick at all.

Fair catch.

And it will be made at the 11 yard line.

So with 29 to go, it will it will be a long field.

Well, what's so special about this, this other group?

Let's listen.

Starting the season, we felt that we had a good chance to make a good run.

This year, but we had a couple of games early and losses to Wilkinson and Twigs early.

That kind of set us back.

But we regrouped, we focused a little more work a little harder, and really came together as a team.

And we've won eight games in a row now or nine now, and Towns got really excited.

Our kids are excited to be here and we've taken a season that they didn't like.

It was going to well and we've made it a special season.

And Coach Ledford happy that his team obviously is here.

That was Chris Barnwell on the carry.

I talked to Coach Ledford, who actually played and began these playoffs on his 16th wedding anniversary, and I asked him how his wife felt about that.

She said, well, as long as you win, I don't care if you lose.

I wanted to come home, but I coach Ledford told me if he wasn't coaching, oh, he'd want to be up in this booth.

So there you have it.

Good end of a very entertaining first half.

Savannah seven, Wilcox six.

Don't let that score surprise you.

There have been some tremendously big offensive plays.

Oh, they really have been.

And I am surprised by the score because I thought it would be much greater.

Well, I did, too.

Let's run down what we've got for you.

And it's going to be an entertaining halftime, too, with the Red Raider marching band.

We'll have principal interviews.

Of course, we'll have first half highlights and we'll have the Georgia EMC halftime statistics.

So a lot to come on this halftime of the state class, a high school football championship.

So glad you're with us on what is perfect as always.

Weather inside the dome.

And and the two players that we were supposed to look at in the beginning of this game have certainly lived up to their billing.

Yeah, they've just been tremendous.

I think we've been, you know, thrilled with the running of Savannah Christian.

All right.

Let's go out to college and see what the coach has to say.

Here with Coach Chamblee from Savannah.

Christian Coach, before the game, you told me you wanted to keep this one close going into halftime.

How do you feel about a one point lead?

I feel I feel pretty good.

I mean, you know, our guys have executed our game plan.

We've done what we had to on defense.

I mean, they're hard to stop, but our guys have made some plays and got off the field and slowed him down a little bit and a little bit disappointing.

We didn't score right there when we had it down there, but we had a miscue.

You can't make mistakes in these kind of games.

Well, good luck to you it in the second half, Stuart.

Thank you.

All right.

So there we have it.

7 to 6 Class A high school football game.

Much more to come right here as we continue.

You're watching the 29 GHC State Football Championships on GPB Savannah Christian over Wilcox 7 to 6 at halftime.

Let's enjoy some halftime entertainment some great music by the Red Raider Band.

As we continue right here, we'll bring it back, show you stats, give you some highlights of some other games.

Don't forget, you're watching the 2009 GHC State Football Championships right here on GPB after the class AA state championships right here, the Georgia Dome, as you see Savannah Christian up on Wilcox by the 7 to 6 score.

Listen down to our guy on the field Scott Lusk, you see who has got to go.

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

I've got a special guest.

This is headmaster Roger Yancey from Savannah.

Christian, let me ask you a few questions.

First of all, let's talk about this football game, what you think of that first half.

I mean, it is a knock down, drag out.

It's too bad that any team, either of the teams has to lose.

But great first half, we're privileged to be here going a great Wilcox team program.

It's our privilege.

Now, let me switch gears a little bit and let's talk about some things academically that are going on about it.

Savannah, Christian.

We have got some exciting things going on as a Christian school.

We try to our mission is to develop the whole person, the mind, the body and the soul to the glory of God.

And so we every year we're looking at ways that we have value add in this to our program.

We're adding auto care technology program this year.

We've got at our lower school, we are chartering a lower school honor society and we feel very privileged to be able to do that.

Our middle school math winning contest, we're we're very blessed.

When I talk to you on the phone the other day, one of the things you mentioned, one of the challenges you're having this year is your consolidating campuses.

Tell me about.

That.

Yeah, that's that's a future plan.

A master plan is we have two campuses right now.

We want to have them both on one campus.

And just the timing of all that, building new buildings, raising the money for it all, that's a challenge right now, as you can imagine.

Well, it sounds like you've got your work cut out for you.

Thank you very much for joining us.

Also joining me is the principal at Wilcox County.

This is Ernie Bryant.

Mr. Bryant, thank you very much for joining us.

I'm going to ask you the same thing.

Would you think of that first half?

Okay.

That was an exciting first half was pretty much what we expected.

We are a passing team and Savannah Christian, a run oriented team.

So it really doesn't surprise me with the outcome of the first half.

Very exciting.

I know you're also excited to talk about some of the academic things going on at Wilcox County.

Right on this this year.

What we've done, we've implemented a modified sixth schedule so that students will be able to get total of seven units a year rather than just six.

And that has allowed us to implement and install different programs so that students will have an opportunity to be successful on the six weeks exams and on their standardized tests.

One thing I was really impressed by was this crowd that you guys got on hand.

Talk about the community support that you guys have been able to bring here to the Dome.

Well, it has been unbelievable.

Yesterday, we had a big send off for the guys.

It was around 12:00 and the entire system was able to line the roadway and send them off and in a real victorious like fashion.

And the community has backed us and supporters, the local banks, the local businesses and the local churches have just pitched in and donated things here and have they prepared meals for us.

So the community is thoroughly supporting us.

That's what we that's what we want.

Fantastic.

Do you care to give me a prediction on the second half?

I would like to say that I don't know what the score is going to be, but Wilcox County is going to be victorious.

All right.

Fantastic.

Thank you very much.

And good luck in the second half.

Still up to you.

How did I know that one was coming?

Well, let's go over and if you've missed any action, and we certainly hope you didn't.

But let's go over.

The High School Football Championship highlights Buford and Calhoun.

They were all pumped up for this one.

The Wolves are Buford looking for their third straight title.

Why not?

Derrick Rogers, one of the top running backs in the state.

Look at him.

Go to the outside.

To the inside.

That set up this Adam Griffin with a field goal and a what it was it was three to nothing.

Still in the first half, the wolves Jesse Curry finds his way and it was six three Buford, thank you very much.

Keep your eye on the right side of the screen.

There you see it, the block, the jump that denied that second half, still six three, but not for long.

Curry Again, four yards.

It was 13, the three.

And then look out the strip of the ball.

Looks like it will be a fumble.

Looks like it is.

It goes the other way.

It pays off.

Watch the reverse.

Rodgers will take it.

Some nifty moves down the sideline.

Could he get in?

Yes, indeed he could.

Exciting game, but not to be as Buford wins its third straight title.

It was 13 to 10 as they hoisted that state championship trophy.

Nicely done.

Well, Buford has got a great program and a lot of those kids playing major college football from Buford best teams.

Well, it is an exciting game, as you see the fans.

Let's go and get ready for the comeback to the class AA high school football championships this afternoon.

Our pleasure to be bringing it to you live from the Georgia Dome of Supply, my partner, Bobak and Bo, it has been everything that we thought it would be.

Let's go down to Scott Koslowski to see what the coaches think of the first half.

To me before the game, one of the things you said was overcoming adversity and you hit some key penalties in that second quarter.

Would you tell your team at halftime.

Basically, we've got to eliminate those penalties?

You know, we had one called the touchdown back.

We had, I think two others that kill drives that really hurt us.

You know, you take those penalties, little penalties away and we might be sitting here a little bit better.

I think the offense picked it up a little bit after that opening drive, but we just had to stay settled.

We've been down in three of our four playoff games and we just got to keep coming out here and come out fighting.

All right.

Best of luck in the second half.

Well, here we go with the class for a high school.

Highlights.

And it was quite a game as you well can't see it was Clark against Scott Creek and that was Roy John Neal and and then you see.

Oh I'm sorry I thought we go to class for this is our highlights of our game but there you see the big guy, the quarterback Beau who is going to be an all star, only a junior and he was doing it.

Nick Marshall, all over the field right now.

Not only does he throw it, but you can see how well he runs.

Well, it was the game between passing and running and then this a key play well blocked extra point.

That is.

The difference.

Was absolutely smothered.

Let's go to the stats and look at the time of possession.

Look at this.

Georgia EMC brings you, of course, our halftime yards rushing.

What stands out to you?

Well, 154 yards.

But, you know, what really stands out to me is total yards with Wilcox County hundred and 67 to 154, but more importantly, time of possession 1804 for Savannah Christian to only 556 for Wilcox County that will cut Wilcox County defense could wear out in the fourth quarter.

Well, that's what they were saying they wanted to do.

You heard the coach say that few mistakes hurt us and it certainly did.

Wilcox had a long 71 yard touchdown that was called back there.

You see the guys and they want to get out there.

They want a fast break for Savannah.

All you want to do is say status quo.

Let's do the same thing.

We did the first.

Yeah, they were mostly mistake free.

They were they were an impeccable offense to watch.

They were just precise.

Well, let's take a look at how these teams got here.

For Savannah Christian, it was a 14 to 10 win over Ervin County.

Miller County was an easier game.

Lincoln County a shutout.

So, you know, they have defense and then Darlington 24 to 10.

And that is the road to the Georgia Dome for Savannah.

Christian, if you look at this team from Wilcox, they had an interesting and sometimes tight way to get here, 23 to 20 that it was a 39 to 19 blowout.

Wesleyan was tight game Clinch County and as you heard the coach they had to come back in for those.

Games yeah broke Wesleyan a win streak and against Clinch County they were talking about the water it was it was a downpour and the water was over the tops of their shoes, so they found a way to throw it.

Wesleyan had won 24 straight games until that loss, so get ready for the second half.

Well, I'm so anxious.

Let's take a look at the class AA for a championship highlights.

And it was a game between Sandy they're looking for their first ever.

Here we go john deal as he runs it right up the gut now to the outside he had two TDs and was looking pretty darn good and then field goal upfield go good to make it three but up in fourth quarter the gladiators up nine to Rodney Bell will find Jared Davis look at that pass look at the move to the inside.

Could he go all the way with that kind of speed?

You better believe it.

The perfect pass for a 72 yard touchdown dynamic duo.

Why not do it again?

Look at that.

Doesn't get much better at any level.

And is Sandy Creek winning their first ever football state title with the final game?

But for good measure, another touchdown 29 to 15.

The final congratulations to Sandy Creek.

Who gets to kiss that championship trophy game on Patriots bring it home state title That's what they are thinking here at the Dome as they'd like to hoist that trophy, too.

Boy, don't we have some great quarterbacks in these state championships.

I will tell you this.

Go the high school football quarterback I saw.

But Channel two was you and a guy by the name of Eric zero.

Oh Mike.

I went to see Eric play at high.

Score many times.

He hit 20 of.

22 passes.

I'll never forget it.

I told my chuck, I've got a chuck that'll take this quarterback and the two passes were dropped.

Maybe a star out there in the making this this afternoon.

And also from Sandy Creek that quarterback was great.

Well here we go sit back and relax state division, a football coming your way as Jackson and Porter are back to see the opening kickoff for this Wilcox offense.

He hopes they can get something going in this third quarter without any penalties.

So we are underway and an onside kick.

Wow.

Good luck.

Wilcox gets it and they're showing some guts and a little bit of a little bit of forward thinking as Ty Terrell Miller was the one who got that onside kick.

Still might as well.

I admire that.

Coach Chumley, you know, you just you challenge you kids and say, guys, we got to make this play.

And, you know, it could put us in a tough position.

But, you know, the way they've been kicking off, actually, Wilcox County has said the ball in better starting field position then that's.

Nick Marshall six six for 15 107 yards but I'll tell you what it's the most impressive six for 16 I've seen he lets it fly first down Wilcox from their own 35 just underway in this third quarter pass inside and there is Tate Porter.

With a gain to about the 43 yard line of Savannah Christian that's the way you want to open a tackle.

By Eric Wickham and that's the way you want to start the second half.

By five wide receivers and watch this pass.

It was a great catch.

It's a little bit behind him, but just a great catch and run after the catch.

This Wilcox team lot of explosiveness on the outside and they're just spreading it out three high, two down low spread offense as Wilcox looks like they're just going to air it out the fake inside little bit of trouble could he be sacked and he is and you will not see Nick Marshall go down first man in Cooper Clemons with the tackle for a loss and if I'm not mistaken that's Wilcox his first loss of tonight yeah first.

One today and he's so calm cool and collected you know he never really worries about the rush because he knows he's got tremendous escape ability, but that time it close quickly from both sides.

D'Angelo Brown in there.

Sometimes with a guy like that, you don't go after him, you just go spaces or zones because you know he'll eventually come to you.

So now we're looking at second at about 20 yards for this Wilcox offense, who has spreading out again out of the shotgun.

There's a good rush, almost bringing.

Him down in the second sack in a row.

Eric Wickham.

Tore the jersey and brought.

It down.

So two sacks in a row.

That's Nick Marshall goes back and it is going to be trouble there.

As Marshall is down.

Should be devastating for Wilcox County.

There's the sack and that's maybe they've found something a weakness or some stunning up front because that's two consecutive.

Well they did they showed five and then rushed three.

Well, it is third and a mild third in about 21 yards.

And there you see him shake up.

And his back up, if I'm not mistaken, is only a freshman.

Watched him warm up almost as good an arm.

He throws a nice as Marshall.

Well he is in and the backup doesn't get a lot of calls but he is more Cal.

Grayson.

He's in the gun so let's see what he can do.

A little bit of a snap.

He's going long.

He's throwing it up to the big guy, and it's a jump ball and not a bad idea when you're trying to get it to Lonnie Outlaw because Lonnie Outlaw is all of 67.

So this gold out there and that's a pretty good look at.

Bass Wilcox Kelly he doesn't fool around and say, come off the fines, go in there and start chucking.

And by the way, that outlaw boom almost went out and got that.

He's been selected to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, 64th Annual All-Star Game.

It's the north versus the south.

Tuesday, December 29th, Memorial Stadium in Columbus.

Fine.

Our honor for him, Brandon Lawson, with only his second point of the afternoon.

Going back.

On about his 27th to receive the spot, just gets it out of there and we'll have a return up the middle to the 40 and down at the 32.

Chris Lawson But Chris Coley with the stop.

So what was an offensive show as we see this punt is now turn it to somewhat of a defensive struggle nice one back and nice tackle.

A line drive point and just a a great tackle to bring him down is about to be in space.

First and ten just underway in this third quarter from their 42 Christian Savannah will take over in that or Savannah Christian take over in that triple option offense up the gut something we have seen Chris Bardwell with the carry.

Here come the clock eaters again and don't forget that stat we told you about the first half time of possession.

18 minutes for Savannah Christian 6 minutes for Wilcox County.

Barnwell with 83 yards rushing in that first quarter he was the main weapon don't forget, came in with a little bit of an ankle sprain, a little bit of banged up, but he's looked fine.

Now, second down four to go.

There he is again.

And he'll have the first down by about a half a yard as Barnwell.

Now is when you have to start being concerned a little bit about that Wilcox County defense.

They've been out there so much and they've been slobber knocking and head knocking and just taking on this tremendous assault of Savannah Christian.

And when you think about a triple option, everybody on defense is always in motion.

Everybody has an assignment.

So why conduct on the defense?

15 yard penalty?

Well, that is going to hurt.

We talked about offensive mistakes.

Now Wilcox making a defensive mistake unnecessary roughness tackle on 15 big yards.

Sure.

That was born out of frustration.

And that will take it all the way down to the 32 Wilcox results in the.

First down.

You know, when you go to a pesky get after it offensive line like this after a while I know defensive linemen and linebackers just just had enough of it.

You you lose your mind.

First down Savannah Christian up by 176 but driving Barnwell again and it looks like they're just you're just going to wear down that Wilcox defense gain of about two so it'll be second and eight all on this Wilcox team an interested team had a two and three start to the season and then have reeled off.

Nine.

Straight wins.

Credit coach left with their coaching staff to keep them together.

You obviously had great expectations.

Then you lose two and kids kind of lose their heart a little bit, but they didn't.

Up the middle again.

BARNWELL Again.

And if he got.

A yard, he's lucky both defenses, as was mentioned stiffening up maybe they know.

I said look for some weariness in the Wilcox County defense, but look at how they get up to this.

Miller Cooley combining all that tackle for this Wilcox defense, about a three hour drive coach told me from high school to here.

So they.

Had a lot to think about all the way third down and six for Savannah Christian on.

The 28 keeping the ball, looking up, getting close fighting for more yardage is curry and that second.

Effort might have done it just great vision and stick to this by the offensive line.

Nate Morehouse finally brought him down, but not until he got the first down by about a yard.

So it's first down so that a Christian at 19 of this Wilcox team and there's a place to stiffen.

This is it.

No, you need to stop here.

Stoop down with their ability to control the ball.

You don't want them to go up by eight points.

Now they are stacking it in there, trying to go right up the middle, try to wear it down with Bardwell.

And he gained about two.

They've got him packed in with at least two tight ends and they're saying, hey, look, we're coming right at you.

Here's what we're going to do.

See if you can stop us right now.

Boys.

This game surprised us.

So what?

We're expecting a wide open, wild and raucous affair.

Well, with lots of scoring.

So that a Christian wanted to keep that ball on.

The ground.

And they did.

And they had they had that perfect drive, opening drive of 78 minutes.

And then Wilcox came back so quickly, we thought this was going to be an offensive show.

It has been, but not a lot of scoring.

Second down, six to go up the middle, they go with Bardwell.

There it is again.

So that's going to be another unsportsmanlike penalty that's going to be against Wilcox County.

Well, after this game, if there's one player that's going to need a rest and a few weeks off, it's going to be Barnwell unsportsmanlike conduct, defense.

And that is a wry smile by Coach Ledford.

He is a little frustrated himself.

Well, if we've got this, you'll see it.

This ball unsportsmanlike conduct on the defense half the distance with the goal to be first and goal.

First down from the six for Savannah Christian.

Wilcox County has to dig in.

Now those are two huge penalties.

All this drive up the middle they go Barnwell driving driving and driving.

He'll get down to about the three Coley on the tackle.

Oh nice going in and out.

And you're right though this Wilcox team as a flag is picked up and let's see what we've got going here.

Dead ball, unsportsmanlike conduct on the defense.

Well, three other.

Three this drive.

Total frustration you know last play and this the play before that in last play you can really see the offensive line under all the defense still second and goal firing off the line and submarine in Wilcox County you get get you just below the knee and that makes you crazy it frustrates you that's how you get those unsportsmanlike penalty.

Second and goal.

See that straight ahead.

And it is a touchdown for the second time today.

Savannah Christian finds the end zone.

Crowd going nuts.

Here it is.

Why not?

Good blocking up front, good strength.

And it is now a 13 to 6 game with McCarthy for the extra point.

Get that if.

His up kick is good and it is 14 to 6 but yet another flag and let's see what this call is right now.

I don't know if he has thrown out a player or not.

I don't know if they have.

Well, that was the player that was called for unsportsmanlike.

First time.

Sure was bumped into the kicker.

Yeah.

Let's see what happens.

A little bit of a discussion here.

Personal foul against Wilcox County will be enforced on kickoff, huh?

All right.

We will sort it all out.

We will tell you what's happening.

It's 14 to 6 right now.

So they had a Chris get up.

You're watching the 2009 GHC State Football Championship.

GPP, UPS.

Support for programing is provided in part by the following.

Hey, great party.

Oh, thanks.

Here you go.

One hamburger medium.

Well.

This is well done.

No, no, no.

That's medium well.

What are you calling me?

A liar?

This thing is practically brown.

That's it.

You're not going to come to my house and tell me how to cook a hamburger?

You wouldn't do it there, gravy.

So don't do it here.

Sportsmanship.

It's up to you.

Savannah Christian up on wilcox county, 14 to 6 with just 6 minutes left in the third quarter and that penalty being assessed on the kickoff.

Look at that scoring drive, carbon copy of what happened in the first quarter with a very first job, nine.

Plays 50, eight yards, 4 minutes and 7 seconds.

Yeah, that's what this Savannah Christian team has wanted to do.

So they will kick off from Wilcox's 45 yard line.

Look at this kickoff formation.

Would be bad.

Wouldn't be a bad idea for an onside kick.

Now.

There it is.

And Wilcox looks like they had recovered.

They have Jonathan Howard looks like he jumped on it.

But when kicking from that far.

But why not?

Yeah, exactly.

Right idea and almost a recovery here it is.

Gets that high bounce and then the lucky bad boy, if he didn't try to block it to the player, he might have been able to recover.

But that's part of the scheme you block and the other guy will come behind you.

And there is good news for this Wilcox team, namely the main man is back at quarterback and that of course Nick Marshall so a little shaken up but back and he'll have to get this offense going 14 to 6 with 6 minutes go it is Savannah Christian.

We'll take it get ready fill everybody we're not going to see a quarterback sneak.

First down from the take Wilcox out of the shotgun quick pass using that oh look like a little flea flicker and it is with it is Jackson taking it all the way down to the 41.

Little razzle dazzle.

Look good on paper and actually.

Didn't look too bad on the field.

If he took it upfield a little bit.

I'm talking about the receiver.

He might have attracted a little more attention and then make the pitch.

But timing on that is so difficult.

Come on.

Tape porter with a nice little run off the flea flicker.

And.

And now it looks like Wilcox is picking things up almost with a no huddle little first down from the 39 Wilcox needs a score important to answer back in the gun looks like a designed run and it is Nick Marshall going out of bounds a gain of about two or three and that'll be it.

That looks designed there.

Boy, Adam spread out and the way he picks his spots and his vision, the way he sees the vacuum in that defense, you know, the way he runs so well, he can get to it so quickly.

Hold on to that football ball.

Keep that football out there.

So it's second down and eight to go for.

This Wilcox team is down by eight.

Marshall in.

The garden to high to low It is spread off That's.

Looks to the outside to his big receiver and it is Rodney out well who gets the pass and shows some speed.

And some toughness and takes it all the way down to the 23.

You know he's listed at six seven and for kid to run like that at six seven that's really special.

Remember in the old days, Harold Carmichael.

Yes.

Philadelphia Eagles, 610.

Look down here.

It is good.

And he takes it down the sidelines and shows some speed footwork.

So first, down from the 29.

Wilcox is moving.

Marshall out of the gun empty backfield, three high, two down low.

And he's got no one open looking, looking.

And we'll take off and run to the 19 yard line and a gain of eight.

D'Angelo Brown with the tackle.

Just about yard shorted boy Savannah Christian did a great job of not letting anybody get open.

They were great at space and covering their people here.

They flush him.

He's looking downfield, looking downfield.

Just nobody open.

You talk about great in space.

This guy's great in space and he's got some moves big enough, tough enough, six two, £188.

And if you're just joining us, a sensational.

Basketball player has already got Division One offers second down a yard.

The goal for Wilcox quick handoff to Ty Porter He's got some room and he has gained about oh.

Six or seven.

I think he's just just got enough for the first step.

Can he catch John Burkle?

Stop.

There he goes.

Well, he is going to just one more block.

Mm.

First down.

From the 18 Nick Marshall trying to answer that score by Savannah Christian.

Back under pressure again.

But man does he have some room does he have some room?

He's down to the one.

He's down and pushed back to the two yard line.

Nick Marshall with a great play.

That field was wide open, just a great to you know you could see he just smelled that opening up and he just quit looking downfield because it watch this everybody's by him there's nobody in front of him might as well just take off.

He just quit looking downfield because he was going to take it.

And brought up a good point.

Watch the Florida game.

They were talking about Alabama and Tebow and they said don't go beyond people.

Don't go past Bo.

And you bring it up right here again.

Don't go pass Marshall.

So first down, goal.

The goal third quarter, just under 4 minutes to go with Wilcox down by eight but threatening pitch outside Holmes does he have an opening?

He's down to perhaps the one half yard line.

Oh, my goodness.

They run it at.

Second down and less than a yard.

You know, and I know it's early and I know it's only the third quarter, but we talked about Wilcox not trying but one field goal right this year and they missed you know that that extra point it'll be interesting having there naturally have to go for two but let's watch the touchdown watch.

For the quarterback sneak and watch him kind of step back and take the lead then go.

Well he said standing up.

Yeah.

And it was just that easy for Nick Marshall.

Yes, sir.

We've got a game now.

They'll go for two.

And that was an impressive drive.

It really was.

Well, you know what?

I'm not sure they're going for two.

They're going for one here.

Ball.

Well, Coach feels that still enough time in the game 309 remaining in the third go.

No, sir, they're spreading it.

I thought they were bring it out to kick it, but no, they're going to spread it.

Go for two.

So that's that's the natural ball that's the right call now so when.

Late getting in a little confusion Wilcox with a two point conversion.

Lobs it up beautiful.

Touch pass nice to tie porter or to mahogany and that is the way you do it and we've got a tie ballgame.

Wow.

Beautiful, beautiful.

Decided throw strong ball.

Well, we said it was going to be close.

We said it was going to be interesting.

And it is all about here we go.

New ballgame right here.

There it is.

Look at the fade.

Look at him.

Go up and get it.

That's what you need to be.

A great quarterback is receivers who just go up and get it.

Well, you know what?

You might think that they would do that to the opposite side when he got what he outlawed six seven.

But both guys with Ford athletic ability and one more look at this perfectly throw pass just great position like you're going up for a rebound.

Tackle.

Nicely done 14 to 14 for 3 minutes to go wow last a finals here at the Dome this afternoon.

Eight plays 71 yards but under 3 minutes.

The fast break offensive Wilcox County.

Look, all those stars he has on his helmet evidently he's done this before.

Morehouse to kick it off and go Ben Collins back.

As they have been at about their own 15.

And there's a little pooch half onside kick and it'll be taken at the 41 yard line.

Oh, Eric Whitman was on top of that ball.

So we've already seen an onside kick in what looked like half pouch, half onside.

Not enough for the rest of the year to.

So Savannah Christian go back to the drawing board certainly the blueprint which is get the ball, run the ball and give it to Barnwell.

And there he is, Barnwell fighting off some tackles.

Hill gained about three before he is pushed back rudely.

Whole gang there including Antonio James on the.

Tackle left as coach left maybe Scott Kozlowski can after the game what adjustment did they make to take this away?

Watch this see that you're in the first quarter that was there when he was making big guards off that done.

What adjustment did Wilcox County make to take that win.

Second down seven to go for Savannah Tuckson to the belly avoiding some tackles, Curry will gain a first down.

Every time you think Savannah Christian has a modest gain, it's a first down.

And it's deceiving those first first down plays.

Many times as you know, it didn't get much.

And you're right BALL You've talked about the five or six yards here.

Just grind it out.

That's What they want to do is now Antonio James having a heck of a football game with ten tackles and he'll have to make a few more with this triple option first down at about the 49 Savannah Christian on the move.

Pitch fake pitch handoff there there is a play.

So procedure penalty.

That'll put Savannah Christian back five.

But Wilcox County crowd has really come alive, haven't they?

Good crowd brought up here.

Good crowd.

Both schools.

Lots of spirit.

What a weekend of high school championship football penalties not too many by Savannah Christian Wilcox with a little frustration nine for 77 yards and a couple really hurt first down and 15 and another flag.

And their ball all star and the offense five yard Philly three play the down.

Oh my goodness what is happiness about a Christian?

They've been precise so it'll.

Be first down in 24.

There's Savannah Christian they have been precise and precision.

But it is all come back this third quarter.

They've been precision with their pitches and their handoffs with the motion and the movement along the line.

Yeah.

So in his first down 20 yards to go for Savannah Christian they can't handoff Curry with the ball he'll gain about four and that'll be about it he has Antonio James now has 11 tackles for the game.

You have to take a look at this savannah christian offensive line four point stance they get low.

They get their center of gravity down and they just attack your knees.

Well, they've got to do that.

We've talked about it.

They've now stopped that play, the belly play, which up the whole triple option off offense it is second down and 14 for Savannah to tie at up the middle Barnwell again but he will just get back to the original lot of scrimmage and that'll be about it.

So it'll be third down, it'll be ten for Savannah Christian in this third quarter.

Cornwall almost made a great bounce outside, but they were able to throw and.

Even though they run with the ball, it seemed like the tempo of the game was a lot quicker in the first half.

And.

The tempo has slowed down on really both sides of the ball from the 48/3 down.

And ten Savannah Christian coming the other way.

Off to Franklin great bacon flag again there and it looked like Franklin is just short of the first down but let's wait and see what the penalty is.

They fight for every yard facemask again.

A five yard facemask on the defense.

Now, that is ten penalties on.

This Wilcox team for over 80 yards and.

That's good for the first down.

Come on with his offense don't give him any penalties to help because they can do enough on their own.

So it will be first down for Savannah Christian from the 34 yard line with the score tied at four four.

You're watching the 2009 GHC State Football Championship right here on g t big.

Welcome back to the class a high school's championships this afternoon coming to you live from the Georgia dome 1414.

The score.

You know, we call this doom.

What do we call it?

A doozy.

This is a doozy.

All the GHC football championship games will air again next week, Monday through Friday at eight on Knowledge.

This afternoon's class action will air on Monday, December 14th at 8 p.m..

Check your local listings for the Knowledge Channel in your area or in metro Atlanta or Comcast Channel 246.

Game 14, the 14/4 quarter.

Both teams doing a little bit of what they said they would do, both teams being penalized at inopportune times.

And what a finish we should have part of the crowd here, a large crowd for Wilcox and Savannah Christian a.

Little bit of time of possession slide in that third quarter.

Savannah Christian had it for about 7 minutes and Wilcox kind of had about four men as well.

Savannah on a huge drive to start this fourth quarter, second down and eight from the 32 Barnwell up the middle almost to the right side.

And he will gain about oh two or three and it will be a third down and about three to go.

That was John Strong side of the offense.

They had their tight end over there.

They had a wing back over there.

And they look at Barnwell.

For a guy that came in with a little nicked up ankle, he certainly doesn't look nicked up and he certainly is getting a lot of work and tough guys maybe wearing out this Wilcox offense third down and out for they had a Christian with the ball up the middle and that will be short of the first down as Barnwell carries again.

Long fourth down has become automatic in this game.

Barnwell tried to stretch it out but just couldn't stretch the extra yards.

So it is fourth and a yard to go.

And if Wilcox needed a stand or a stop this afternoon, this would be.

A good time to get it with just under 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, fourth down, stop that.

Line of scrimmage with the extra extra for Barnwell gets it and that will be another Savannah Christian first down on the second effort.

Great instinct and you know he's just not just tough guy but he knows what he's doing in there.

Have to contact.

Here it is right here.

Watch this.

They'll hit him straight up and he's able to spin off and get some more yards.

And as coach has said, love keeping those legs moving, legs moving, legs move and good things happen.

First down for the 21 Savannah Christian one of those long drives that we have seen so routinely in this night and day and looked like a little motion but no flag on it.

CURRY keeps the ball in games of about three or three and a half Rod Lawson or the stop and let's take a look at this and how it looks it coming to you on film field.

You see the offensive line, how low they get.

You seen them roll on all fours after the block.

There's no standing up with this team because they're almost down the road, you know, as it is.

Watch them in the four point stance.

And this is where it gets frustrating for Wilcox County.

After all this this time of possession and chopping at their knees, you see how low they got?

It is Bardwell for a minimum gain and we'll go to third down.

So they had a Christian keeping control of this ball, keeping the ball away from that fast breaking Wilcox offense.

And what looked like it would be a high scoring game is still 14, 14 down the stretch.

We come in the fourth quarter of this championship game.

Third down, play third and about five.

Inside handoff to number 21 to Jay Franklin and he is short of the first down.

They were probably in all likelihood without a doubt go for it on fourth down and it will be fourth down.

And from the looks of things, about three yards, that was a good look with it for.

Good looking play.

They fake the dove and then bring it to the wing back coming around.

Another one of those fourth down plays ball huge for thousands on this drive if he could ever stop.

All right.

What momentum you would have for your off so going to turn out they're going to take a timeout Savannah Savannah Christian just talk it over.

Donald Chumley got.

Well it has been a tale of obviously two seasons and what a finish we will have for you right here as it is 14 to 14 class a football you're watching the 2009 GHC State football championships on GPB and the game so far with 839 to go Savannah Christian with third down fourth out excuse me and four to go and let's see where they go full house backfield and another.

Time out well after that shift they thought that the Wildcats only defense would do second time out the second half.

And when they didn't do what they thought they were going to do, they had to take the time out.

Well, let's think about this, too.

If the game comes down to timeouts, there are two timeouts that you just took on consecutive plays that could come back to haunt you.

You may want those late in the game, but.

Let's run down some championship games for you if you missed the action.

Buford a winner in class Double A over.

Calhoun 13 to 10 was the final.

There.

Other state job action.

We saw some highlights of this one said a quick congratulations on the Clark Central 29 to 15 class what a and that after this game please join us for a triple play action is Gainesville against Peachtree County for both teams undefeated at 14 and oh what a game that should be here's up five in Camden County 12 two against Northside 13 to 1 let me remind you that comes up this evening at 8:00 live right here.

So some more action to come here for this game.

And I hope and I'm sure that those games will be just as good as this one.

What a great ball game.

We had fourth down, four to go.

Fourth quarter 14 all pitch out, cutting in with the touchdown with the touchdown is T Jay Franklin way more than the first down a touchdown what a huge play that is.

Great ball great call we haven't seen that look since early in the first quarter.

Big hole.

Huge hole.

Well, he gets around the outside the blocking was great.

Look at that right there.

13 play drive.

We haven't seen that long pitch all game except one time in the first quarter.

Timothy McCarthy will try the extra point how big these have been in this evening's game snap as good kick his up kick is good 21 to 20 Savannah Christian takes a lead over Wilcox.

It's due in the play before that.

When Savannah Christian took the timeout, they'd show the full house backfield.

They showed like a wishbone of backfield.

Sure did and then called the timeout.

So naturally Wilcox County thinks, well, they're going to have the same formation and they come with a different formation and pitch to the wing, back around the right side.

13 plays, 59 yards, 6 minutes and 36 seconds on that drive.

Let me remind you that every championship game this weekend is also being streamed live GPB website log on to GPB dot org slash football and every game will also be archived for viewing in the next few days.

So that site again GPB.

Dot org slash football 21 to 14.

So that over Wilcox County.

80.

Three.

Got seven onside kick.

What else has happened we've had pooch we've had the onside and there it is again at oh very close and what a head touch Wilcox gets it Johnathan Howard grabbed it, then got hit.

Coach Trembley doesn't know.

I was kidding.

There it is, the onside kick.

Let's go watch this shot.

Way to hold on to the ball.

One third, one side kick.

Really we've had this evening.

And so we'll come.

Through those four.

It might have been fourth.

I counted that one.

It's sort of a pooch offside.

So here comes Wilcox.

And they're going to have to strike back and they normally do it in a hurry.

First down from their own 48 that they go pretty good protection.

But that would be a bounce pass there and incomplete.

Stanley Ferguson, the intended receiver.

Well, they almost showed the strength of his arm.

It was incomplete and it was at his feet and hit the rock.

But he threw that ball going backward, going backward.

And if you throw it off your back foot, you're in trouble.

So it'll be second down, it'll be ten to go.

Wilcox has answered this afternoon.

Savannah has come up with a score.

Let's see what they do this time to wide, right to wide, left out of the gun back to throw looking long hangs it up and it is in and out and then back in the hands by Jay Porter with a sensational catch.

My goodness.

I want to see this one on.

Replay.

Watch this.

Watch the separation right at the of this throat.

See there, there, there, even.

And then look at the separation.

Oh, what great concentration.

You will not see a better catch on any level.

Here we go again.

Great concentration.

The play of the.

Game so far so it is first.

And five goal to go Wilcox trying to drive it.

In and trying to answer that Savannah touchdown back to pass quarterback draw.

Looking for some room has it to the one and he is in for the touchdown sensational run by Nick Marshall and all of a sudden it's a 21 to 20 game with that all important extra point coming up.

There's always an adventure.

You know what's new?

I don't think I've seen a better long thrower at this level here.

See him with the touchdown just bringing it down.

It was almost a scramble.

I don't think I've seen a better long throw at this level than Nick Marshall.

And they can run with the ball.

I mean.

We talked about the.

Catch, but how about the.

Throw?

It was right on the money.

And how about.

This going for two down by one?

We talked to the coach and we tried one field goal all season long and they will go to try to.

Take the lead.

Nick Marshall out of the shotgun looking for the lob pass again.

Doesn't have anybody dancing around pressure.

No one open.

Closing in on him tries to throw.

Just wide open.

How about that?

To the terrace Jackson and what a game.

Wilcox takes a one point lead 21 to 22.

Wasn't that special?

Savannah Christian, you just had it.

Did a great job had him dead the rights if he's a normal quarterback but watch him by time he's looking to his right now comes back to his left it's so difficult to get young quarterbacks to survey the field and it almost comes naturally to him.

Then he sees you know it was not that is receiver came open it was more that Savannah came off him to thinking.

It was over.

Well, I'll tell you what he did on that play.

He was determined to pass it.

And a lot of quarterbacks who have running ability might try to run it that stop that the one but what a sensational play.

What a sensational game.

Right.

He's got great composure.

You know, I was surprised when I heard the Florida State forcing him in both basketball and football, but I was surprised when when he's a junior.

But now watching him play, there's no surprise at all.

Ten for 20, 213 yards, 11 rushing, none more important than those last five.

Rushes to 75.

With 75 yards and two touchdowns.

Not a bad afternoon.

Here we go with a kick that at least goes more than 20 yards taken at the 21.

Going the wrong way lightheartedly is Mark Collins.

And here we go.

He's had a great game.

752 on the clock.

Savannah Christian normally takes about 752 on their drives.

Here we go.

So if they go on one of their normal drives, it could take most of the clock, right?

Stop them early first down from there 23 Savannah Christian in that triple option.

Running the ball again to Chris Barnwell and he has been.

A workhorse this afternoon Antonio James has been everywhere.

And really.

Has been terrific game.

You know Caldwell still he's got to be the hawks now fourth quarter 30 to go.

Counting it down.

Good to be with you, bro.

Box to Clutch How to bring a Triple Threat Team On Offense.

Savannah Christian hand off to the belly Another stop and it is Barnwell again and obviously Wilcox King on that when I can look.

You have anything the middle now they've done a great job of taking that away we've talked about that you know that you know that's the special adjustment they made and and I think that's a result of them being reminded that this is assignment football defensively speaking.

You've got to go to your spot and, forget where the ball's going.

It will come to you.

Well, a huge third down play because this is not a place on the field.

Savannah can go for it on 4/3 down four to go Savannah Christian with the ball pitches it out to Bardwell.

No room lost and they will have to punt and what a job by this Wilcox defense coming up what they had to lose punting.

I don't think that they go for it on this one.

I won't be surprised.

It is going to be about fourth and eight when they're over 26.

So in the gridiron version of American football, you get four downs.

You might as well use it.

You think they're going to go forward?

How about Atlanta Christian?

That's their final time out.

I think a lot of Christian would go for it.

I think they're well, here's.

Here's the situation Savannah Christian with no more time out Wilcox with three fourth of seven from their own 27 down 612 to go and Wilcox is up by a skinny point 21 to 20.

I think Coach Trembley is worried that Wilcox County is already lubricated and is starting to show it and if he doesn't go for it here and keep the ball away from him so he'll never have a shot there trailing by one.

They are going to punt the football or so it looks right now.

Wilcox doesn't believe it because they have no one back, they have no one back now.

They're just going to let the punt go.

Not a good punt at all.

And had he had a few steps in and he would have been able to take that an awfully long way.

So the point in a short field now.

Ball with 6 minutes to go with this class a high football championship from the dome Wilcox comes back on offense.

Off a rare stop off.

Savannah Crisp Well That's the answer the conversation we had that's why he didn't want to punt.

We'll actually be gone for it and didn't make it.

What was it about ten yards.

Ten yards?

Yeah, ten yards.

Difference would have been about ten or 12 yards.

All right.

So not the greatest kicking game in the world.

And here we go, Wilcox with the ball.

6 minutes, 603 to.

Go to spread out wide to the.

Bottom of the screen.

And there is the quarterback keeper gain of five gain six extra effort and Nick Marshall will shake it up early in the game but looks just fine.

So Wilcox County's answer to using the clock.

You're exactly right.

With 544 or 543 and ticking, they want to take some time off this clock.

With that said bowl with this savannah christian offense, they take a long time to score.

So no matter what happens, they're going to have to pass the ball, aren't they?

If this time I don't happen.

I would think so.

They're not going to.

Have enough time to run and drive and get it for yards a clip.

Oh that play that sequence took 30 seconds.

We're down under 520 now.

Wilcox on offense trying to perhaps put a nail in the coffin outside.

Marcus Griffin.

With their catching looks like if he doesn't have a first down he's awfully close and he does.

That's a sure controlled possession passing game and that's you know, that's what they count as one of their runs.

Here it is down low Nice touch boy throws a good short ball and good long ball, doesn't it.

He's special.

I've got to.

He averaged 25 points in basketball.

If he's a better basketball player than football.

Well, you can see the waves.

You can see the way he carries the football, you see the way he runs.

You know how good he would be on a basketball court.

It's just just got a lot that.

What would he do?

He reminds me of myself.

I wouldn't go that far.

First down and one and ten.

I mean, I wouldn't go that far to say he's as good as you.

Game on the offense.

Oh, my goodness.

Five yard penalty, a delay of game.

And one of the things you don't need right now is a penalty when you've got all the momentum you are driving now.

So, you know, they're trying to cut the clock fine.

They're trying to take as much time as they can.

But the Wilcox County is just not used to.

Giving them the clock.

So big, big plays.

First down and 14 in the eye toss some running happening to roll Miller with the carry and he is thrown for perhaps a.

One yard loss right now so it'll be second and about 16.

I kind of like the look of that play.

I thought it was going to go for something.

Develop nicely, but then get this very young.

So had a Christian defense subreddit.

Well that's one thing that Coach Chumley is going to be very elated about is how young his team is and think about the prospect of being back here again next year.

Two freshmen.

On the corners and a lot of underclassmen inside second down and.

Were under 4 minutes.

Second down and 16.

And the running game that we haven't seen.

Is now starting to take its place.

As jittery as Jackson gets to carry.

And Savannah Christian was in a blitz.

They were going to run Blitz that time.

And here's the thing.

You go there, even if you're running your one, taking the time off the clock.

And as we mentioned to even if your kidney grade isn't great, you're going to kick it down to the ten and Savannah is going to have to run that.

Ball third down and 13.

Wilcox trying to salt this game away with a one point lead looking downfield plenty of time this is what he is dangerous way back don't want to get out of field goal.

Ranks the short somewhere does some moves Jacksonville.

Still going and he is out of bounds at the 21.

He's short by two yards.

And you know what?

That is as good as a punt.

They can go for it on fourth down.

Well, they've only tried one field goal.

They're going for it.

They have gone for they've only tried one field goal all season.

So they are going for it now.

And the worst thing that can happen, Bo, is you take 30 seconds off the clock and you still give Savannah a long field.

You actually get the ball back.

It's fourth and about four, not two.

But if they don't make it, you know, that last play was.

As good as a punt, fourth and two quick pass and it is complete and it is a.

First down.

And more to the big guy, Loni Outlaw.

And that could have done it.

Let's see, Snoop.

Was that a throw?

Was that a throw?

That was that was a five yard, 30 yard, 35 yards downfield ad throw.

Across two vans to Savannah.

Christian's credit, they couldn't have done anything better there.

Right there.

Watch Extra yards.

So it is first down from the 11 and a half for this Wilcox team who is a strike offense team.

But if you're then just run it, just take some more time off that clock with 243 left in the ballgame.

The I hand off up the middle nothing fancy to the outside fumble but brown cause they said he was down so Andy Scott on the carry as those precious seconds count down.

Coach Ledford.

And remember we talked about those timeouts.

Right see see that you've got to have at this point in the game, we've got to have two hands on that ball.

You're not really trying to make George, you're trying to protect the ball.

That would be a disaster if they lost the ball.

Against Savannah Christian with no timeouts.

Remember that possession where they had to call two consecutive timeouts from the eye again and the quarterback draw more time, take it off and it's as simple as that run out this clock Nick Marshall doesn't care about yards as much as he cares about seconds 148 left in the ballgame.

So if they run out the clock and try to run it on third and fourth down, figure that Savannah Christian would get it with 20 some seconds left.

No timeouts for Savannah, three timeouts for Wilcox, but they're not going to take any a third and 11.

This is where it really hurts that you can't you can't stop that clock.

From running from the eye again and.

Then a delay again.

The last game on the offense.

Well, they don't care.

STEWART No, the only thing that matters is the.

Clock, right?

They don't care.

Right now it's down to 115.

And I wouldn't be surprised after this play if they took another delay just taking all the time off.

So it's third in 16, 115, sensational game for both star players and both teams for that matter.

Living up to what we said they were probably I at a timeout by Wilcox why not the clock start.

My.

Eyes will get everything in reverse.

To the second half.

Yeah well let's talk about our offensive player of the game this afternoon.

Hi, I'm Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons.

We salute the accomplishments of all the great teams and players in these championships.

And now here's your offensive player of the game.

Well, for one player and one quarterback to another, Nick Marshall has been everything that he was supposed to be.

He's been, you know, really special.

And you see his tremendous skill set.

And he's going to have a great career wherever he goes.

Well, he's going back to high school next year.

That's right.

He's only a junior.

They are going to lose.

They are going to line it up.

Well, let's talk about our defensive player of the game.

The big hits.

Just keep coming on.

Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Say football championships.

Hi, I'm Thomas.

De Ku of the Atlanta.

Falcons.

And here's your defensive player of the game.

Yeah, there he is, number 42, Antonio James, the defensive player of the game with 13 tackles.

And well, he should be a false flag all the play.

Another false starts as we were talking about.

But Antonio James is another big time.

Player that will play at the next level.

The leading tackler for Wilcox County throughout the year.

So the flags are flying for this Wilcox team and right now they don't care.

They care about the clock and what a game it has been one draft, so it is third down and 21 from about the 22.

And there's a coach that's feeling pretty confident right now about where things are.

It will be Savannah Christian's first loss of the season in what was a 14 zero season.

Crazy things have happened.

Still 113 left should be 115 on the call, 115 on the clock ahead of it, 113 So they'll reset.

Yeah.

There you see some of the three or four things there.

No milk in Wilcox County.

Why are these women.

Clamoring for milk as that milk cancer detergent?

I don't know.

Whatever it is, no detergent.

There's no milk.

Four or 5000 fans came up to watch this game and they're going to leave happy or so it looks out of the shotgun, third down and the quarterback drawer.

Hold on to ball.

Hold on to that ball.

Good game.

And could it have been a fumble?

Let's see if it is waiting for a call.

We mentioned it early fourth down.

That's the only thing really Nick Marshall does is he doesn't protect that ball.

That right.

He doesn't protect himself either.

He took his shot.

Put it down.

Well, let's talk about a coach who likes coaching.

And here's the reason why.

Oh, man, it's all about coaching is coaching is an awesome profession.

It's challenging.

But when you get to deal with the kids that I get to deal with day in and day out, that lets you know that it's a rewarding profession for me and for our coaches.

We have close relationships with our kids and you know, every day getting a deal with our kids is an experience that sometimes can be a headache.

But at the end of the day, you know, you care about them and they care about you.

And it's just a great job.

Well, it is certainly a great job no matter what do.

But it is even better, though, when you are about to win a state high school football championships.

And I have to tell you, both these teams very well coached passing game and Wilcox terrific triple option by Savannah Christian hats off to you.

I remember the way we were raving about Savannah Christian you know the first couple of drives they were they were just perfect.

You know, they were just excellent and their execution.

Well the defensive Wilcox everybody talks about the offense and well they should there's no doubt that Nick Marshall is a star.

But the big stops on defense were what made the in this game fourth down fake handoff and they're going to try to pass for a two man open and there you go what a play to finish the game.

Marcus Griffin with the touchdown.

Watch this.

Good coverage in the end zone, but a big time throw.

So they are going to be lining up and.

They probably are.

Nick Marshall's.

Going.

He is a huge, huge star, tremendous weapon.

And you've got.

A feel for Savannah Christian, those kids, they've have played their hearts out.

They've given so much.

And, you know, in the last minute and a half for Wilcox County was a thing of beauty.

The way they work, the clock and the play calling.

Wilcox to go for two lob pass to the other side.

And it is in there and good Johnathan Howard on a perfect on a perfect play no.

Watch this just throws the fade over there.

Correct.

The center had a great play on the ball.

Well no there's that the other part of that 711 tandem brothers brothers of different names.

Well you might look at the score of this game tomorrow and see 3229.

I guess Wilcox had it in control, but this was a one point game.

Yes, this was a one point game most of the way.

And.

You know, it was really difficult for Savannah Christian because of the lack of timeouts down the end of this game that they couldn't stop the clock.

Well, did I see that graphic up that that was a ten play drive?

Cause if that is a ten play drive, that would have been the longest drive that this world college team has had.

They were a fast break team.

They took or six plays.

So it's 32, 21, 36 seconds left they Morehouse.

To kick it off.

Both fan bases still.

Here and kicks it off and it will.

Be taken at the 15 over for the 15 drop down at the 19 and it is celebrating time 30 seconds half a minute left for this single-A game.

As you can see, the Wilcox gang who came all the way 3 hours.

One happy group this afternoon wow it is Patriots Day.

To start the year with two losses and then come back and win you championship it's really special.

And Savannah Christian trying to throw the ball something they don't do a lot Curry will take it out of bounds 25 seconds left and this will be a team ball that we might both these teams for that matter might be back.

Both young both have key players at key that are juniors or sophomores and in some cases freshman Nick Marshall.

Back and just about that whole Savannah.

Christian School will be back.

Second down and eight time running out this fourth quarter back the other way.

Barnwell will take it.

And hats off to that young man who came in a little nicked up and carried the load, did a great job.

Clock stopped while they moved the chains at Savannah.

Christian, ready to go?

Well, well-coached.

They grabbed it.

And no give up in this team.

13 seconds to go down by not an impossible situation, but do what he can and play play every single second of the game.

You've come a long way.

14 and one.

Unfortunately, the one comes the last game, but the season to be proud.

Of play to the end and then start building for next year.

This helps you next year.

Could be the last play of the game.

Out of bounds.

6 seconds to go.

But the only thing you can attempt at this point razzle dazzle, long ball on a pitch.

Time for perhaps one more play Savannah with the ball first down from there 45.

Try a pitch try to take around no laterals and that he is in in a game.

That was sensational.

Year 2009 GHC a state football class-A Wilcox County over Savannah by a.

Score of 30 to 21 in a sensational game.

Well, there you go.

Like a hockey game.

They they congratulate each other about key plays.

Or was it was it more style?

What was the key tonight?

I think the key to it tonight was the adjustments that Wilcox County made against that does.

All right, let's go down to cars.

Well, I'm here with Mark Ledford, the coach of the state champion, Wilcox County Patriots coach, how does that sound?

And it sounds great, man.

You know, it's their first and man, it took everything we had to get this win.

This team this team taught me this year and it told a lot of adults in our county this year that, you know, we took we had a tough for the first half of the season, but we persevered.

And the kids I believed in them as much as they did me and all about me.

I'm trying to help.

And they played their minds off.

We've been down in four out of five playoff games that we had.

We've been on the road forever and.

To tell, you know, James, your back in Wilcox, it's unreal.

Well, congratulations.

Go enjoy it, Steve.

Although we were talking about it, savannah wanted to control that ball.

They did not want to throw it 20 times.

They didn't in the final.

Wilcox 37 to 21 in what was a sensation game.

You're watching the 2009 GHC State Football Championships on GPB.