2019 GHSA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Class AAA
Cedar Grove vs. Crisp County Saturday, December 14 | 1:00 PM By Seth Ellerbee
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CEDAR GROVE 12-2, REGION 5 NO. 1 SEED
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CRISP COUNTY 11-3, REGION 1 NO. 1 SEED
edar Grove has continued where it left off after Jimmy Smith’s departure and, with the promotion of Miguel Patrick to head coach, the Saints are in good hands. Patrick led the Saints to another region title this year after Smith won 5-AAA in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Cedar Grove’s path to the final went through Fannin County 36-7 and Benedictine 49-13 before it won a rematch of last year’s title game against Peach County in the quarterfinals 36-3. In its 28-18 semifinal victory over GAC, Cedar Grove never trailed but relied on a touchdown run from running back Chavon Wright late in the fourth quarter to extend its lead and secure the championship berth. Against GAC, quarterback Austin Smith was 8-of-10 passing for 138 yards and a touchdown pass to Langston White. Backs Chavon Wright and Rashod Dubinion will prove a test for Crisp County’s defense. Linebacker Isaiah Ratcliff and defensive end Alvin Williams anchor the Saints defense. Sophomore Janiran Bonner and senior Coreyon Cone have been productive wideouts.
he Cougars are in the championship game for the first time in school history, dating to 1957; however, Crisp County’s predecessor school, Cordele, did win the Class B championship in 1951. Crisp advanced to the finals after a smothering defensive effort against Jenkins in the semis. Jenkins entered the game averaging 40 points per game and the Cougars managed a 14-6 victory. Brad Harber is the 17th coach in Crisp County history and the first to find a path to the championship game. Crisp is relatively balanced but favors the run, averaging 207 rushing and 116 passing yards per game. Sophomore running back Marquise Palmer anchors the run game and has 233 carries for 1,512 yards and 16 touchdowns. Junior quarterback A.J. Lofton is 66-of-103 passing for 861 yards and six touchdowns. Lofton adds 169 carries for 1,043 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
2019 RESULTS
2019 RESULTS
HAPEVILLE CHARTER..................................26-16 W CENTRAL PHENIX (AL).................................24-20 L VALOR CHRISTIAN (CO)..............................27-17 W MCEACHERN..................................................29-7 L LOVETT........................................................41-17 W REDAN..........................................................57-0 W TOWERS........................................................60-0 W
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WESTMINSTER..............................................21-0 W PACE ACADEMY..........................................40-10 W STONE MOUNTAIN.........................................31-0 W FANNIN COUNTY...........................................36-7 W BENEDICTINE..............................................49-13 W PEACH COUNTY.............................................36-3 W GAC.............................................................28-18 W
AMERICUS-SUMTER...................................29-14 W WEST LAURENS...........................................16-13 L DUTCHTOWN................................................19-17 L TIFT COUNTY...............................................27-14 W SOUTH GWINNETT.......................................24-21 W BAINBRIDGE..................................................14-9 L THOMASVILLE.............................................32-14 W
MONROE.......................................................33-6 W WORTH COUNTY............................................43-0 W COOK............................................................35-7 W SOUTHEAST BULLOCH..................................46-0 W NORTH HALL.................................................41-3 W JEFFERSON.................................................22-20 W JENKINS.......................................................14-6 W
