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Jackson County hires former Lanier coach Mobbs; more coaching changes
Jackson County hired former Lanier coach Korey Mobbs as its football coach Monday. Mobbs was head coach at Knoxville Catholic in Tennessee the past two seasons and was Lanier’s coach from 2014 to 2020. His Lanier teams were 58-22 with two region championships.
GHSA finals return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2023
The Georgia High School Association, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta Falcons, announced a three-year deal Thursday to bring the football and flag football state championship games back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning in 2023.
Collins Hill’s Gregory, Central-Carrollton’s Smiley resign
Lenny Gregory of Collins Hill and Darius Smiley of Central-Carroll stepped down from coaching positions this week, bringing to 37 the number of offseason openings at GHSA schools. Gregory, who led Collins Hill to its first championship in 2021 in Class 7A, resigned Wednesday, saying his vision of the program did not match that of the new school administration.
GHSA expected to announce return of finals to Mercedes-Benz
The Georgia High School Association is expected to announce Thursday that it is moving the football championship games back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning in 2023. The GHSA and the Atlanta Falcons are holding a joint media event Thursday at 2 p.m., the association said in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.
GHSA mulling instant replay after controversial finish of 3A final
The Georgia High School Association will consider using video replay to review officials’ calls in the wake of a controversial play in Saturday’s Class 3A football championship game, three members of GHSA’s board of trustees indicated Monday. “Yes, I think we are going to have to look at this,” board chairman and GHSA president Jim Finch said.
Championship games in review
Mill Creek, Hughes and Ware County, fresh off their first state championships, are No. 1 when it counts – in final rankings. Sandy Creek is a state champion for the first time in 10 years, Thomson for the first time in 20 years and Bowdon for the first time in 30 years. Benedictine defended its title, and Prince Avenue Christian won for the second time in three seasons.
Class 7A: Mill Creek 70, Carrollton 35
Cam Robinson rushed for 252 yards and three touchdowns and Caleb Downs ran for three touchdowns and had a team-high six total tackles to lead Mill Creek to a 70-35 Class 7A championship game victory over Carrollton Saturday night at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium in the highest-scoring state final in GHSA history.
Class 5A: Ware County 38, Warner Robins 13
Ware County scored on four of its five first-half possessions, including two touchdowns in a two-minute span midway through the first quarter on its way to a 24-6 halftime lead, and cruised to a 38-13 victory over two-time defending champion Warner Robins in the Class 5A championship game Saturday at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Class 3A: Sandy Creek 21, Cedar Grove 17
Sandy Creek’s Travis Franklin scored on a 1-yard run with 50 seconds remaining to give the Patriots a 21-17 victory over defending champion Cedar Grove in the Class 3A championship game Saturday afternoon at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Class 6A: Hughes 35, Gainesville 28
Top-ranked Hughes scored two touchdowns in a 14-second span late in the second quarter to create some separation from Gainesville and then held on for a 35-28 victory in the Class 6A championship game Saturday night at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Class 4A: Benedictine 14, Cedartown 13
Benedictine stuffed Cedartown on four consecutive running plays inside 2-yard line in the last minute of the game, including a fourth-and-goal from the 1 on the final play, to preserve a 14-13 victory in the Class 4A championship game Friday at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Class 2A: Thomson 32, Fitzgerald 27
Thomson’s Jontavis Curry had two of his four touchdown runs in the final nine minutes of the game after Fitzgerald had taken its only lead, rallying the Bulldogs to a 32-27 victory in the Class 2A championship game Friday at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Class A Division I: Prince Avenue Christian 52, Swainsboro 34
Prince Avenue Christian trailed 20-7 in the first half and 27-17 midway in the third quarter but scored touchdowns on five straight second-half drives that totaled 356 yards on 20 plays, and Swainsboro couldn't keep pace. Aaron Philo set state-finals records with 477 yards passing and six touchdowns.
Class A Division II: Bowdon 39, Schley County 31
Bowdon scored touchdowns on its first six full drives and used the seventh to ice the game with a 4-minute, 9-second drive to the Schley County 17 with 13 seconds left. Schley's final chance never got past midfield.