2019 GHSA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Class A-Public
Irwin County vs. Marion County Saturday, December 14 | 10:00 AM By Craig Sager II
Photo courtesy of Irwin County Indians
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IRWIN COUNTY 12-0, REGION 2 NO. 1 SEED
op seed Irwin County is in the finals for the fifth time in the past six seasons, but will be looking for its first championship victory since 1975 when it takes the field. The Indians have been on a mission this season, compiling a flawless 12-0 record that includes a whopping 35.9 average margin of victory. The Indians did all their scoring in the second half in the semifinals as they ran away with a 36-0 win over two-time defending state champion Clinch County. Defensively, Gabriel Benyard returned an interception for a touchdown and Jordan Payne had a fumble recovery touchdown. The two scores gave the Irwin County defense a combined 62 points scored on the year and the group has only allowed 56 points, a statistic indicative of how dominant the Indians’ defense has been all year long.
2019 RESULTS BERRIEN.......................................................42-7 W FITZGERALD..................................................35-8 W MT. PARAN CHRISTIAN.............................CANCELED CLINCH COUNTY...........................................14-0 W TELFAIR COUNTY..........................................45-7 W CHARLTON COUNTY.......................................56-0 W LANIER COUNTY............................................41-0 W
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WILCOX COUNTY...........................................16-0 W ATKINSON COUNTY.......................................52-0 W TURNER COUNTY..........................................49-0 W CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY..........................47-22 W MANCHESTER.............................................54-12 W CLINCH COUNTY...........................................36-0 W
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MARION COUNTY 11-2, REGION 4 NO. 1 SEED
arion County is making its first championship appearance since 2013 when the program topped Charlton County 12-3 for its first-ever state crown. The Eagles carry an eight-game winning streak into the finals and are fresh off a 42-25 comeback victory over Pelham in the semifinals. Marion County roared back from a 25-14 third-quarter deficit with 28 unanswered points to top the Hornets. Brandon Thomas and Trice McCannon each rushed for Marion County touchdowns in the first half to keep the Eagles in striking distance and then dominated the second half. McCannon’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Thomas with 6:34 left in the third quarter brought Marion County within 25-20 heading into the final frame. McCannon found Thomas on a 9-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles a 28-25 lead. Thomas added a 67-yard rushing touchdown with five minutes left and then McCannon capped the scoring with a 3-yard run.
2019 RESULTS SCHLEY COUNTY...........................................14-0 W CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY............................41-8 W PACELLI........................................................47-0 W BLECKLEY COUNTY......................................43-28 L MANCHESTER..............................................43-14 L GREENVILLE...............................................47-22 W BROOKSTONE.............................................32-13 W
CENTRAL-TALBOTTON................................42-14 W TAYLOR COUNTY...........................................43-7 W MACON COUNTY.........................................37-20 W SCHLEY COUNTY.........................................35-27 W LINCOLN COUNTY.......................................28-21 W PELHAM......................................................42-25 W
