In a stroke of luck (and some really good play), the Athens-area will have three teams headed to the GHSA state championship football games between Dec. 16-18 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.Prince Avenue Christian (10-3) shut out North Cobb Christian 43-0 in a frigid battle at Brad Akins Stadium, despite both of their quarterbacks and their star sophomore running back suffering minor injuries. This will be their fifth consecutive trip to the title battle, with three of those trips resulting in wins (2020, 2022, 2023). The Wolverines are going to be playing the same opponent they defeated to close out the regular season, Hebron Christian, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m.North Oconee (14-0) rebounded from an early flub and will be headed to its first title game ever, following the footsteps of the boys basketball team who did it and won it all for the first time last spring. The Titans will be playing a mean and also undefeated team in Marist.Jefferson (11-3) held on against LaGrange to advance to their first title game under Travis Noland — their last appearance was with Gene Cathcart in 2020. The Dragons are going to be playing the same opponent they defeated in 2012 for their only title in school history: Calhoun.Here's what happened Friday night, with all three teams having been home hosts for the semifinals.NORTH OCONEE 27, BLESSED TRINITY 7At Titan Stadium in Bogart, North Oconee tweaked their play after an interception on the very first play of the game off Harrison Faulkner led to an early (and the only) score for Blessed Trinity.Faulkner came back and found Khamari Brooks on an 8-yard pass in the second quarter to tie the board, and from there it was full steam ahead for the red and black Titans. Caleb Chestnut added the next touchdown on a massive 42-yard rush to make it 14-7 at halftime. J.T. Doster, who was elevated from junior varsity halfway through the season to fill a gap, added a short 1-yard scoring burst as the third quarter opened, but Oliver Buckley missed the PAT, making it 20-7.The game ended after Brooks collected a sack and Mack Collins blocked a kick to turn it over on downs. North Oconee scored their final seven points after a blocked punt with under three minutes to go in the third quarter and Blessed Trinity failed to respond in the fourth quarter.Marist defeated Creekside 27-21 in the semifinals. The Titans and War Eagles will play on Monday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. for the Class 4A state title. Marist has three state titles (most recently 2020). North Oconee has never made it to the finals.JEFFERSON 21, LAGRANGE 13At Jefferson Memorial Stadium in Jefferson, the Dragons started out on top of LaGrange and never let off the gas, defeating them in a tight, one-possession game.Dallas Russell got things started in the second quarter with a 4-yard rush after a 57-yard strike set it up from Gavin Markey to Rett Hemphill. Markey then added his own short rush from 3-yards out to make it 14-0 after halftime. He added their final score off a 1-yard rush in the fourth quarter.Markey came into Friday night as the team's leading rusher with 183 carries for 1,445 yards and 21 touchdowns.Calhoun defeated Stephenson 35-13 in the semifinals. The Dragons and Yellow Jackets play on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. for the Class 3A title. Calhoun has four state titles (most recently 2017) and did not make it to the playoffs last season. Jefferson has one state title (2012 against Calhoun).

Thanks to a stroke of fortune (and some excellent gameplay), three teams from the Athens area are set to compete in the GHSA state championship football games scheduled for Dec. 16-18 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Prince Avenue Christian (10-3) dominated North Cobb Christian 43-0 in a cold clash at Brad Akins Stadium, even […]

Thanks to a stroke of fortune (and some excellent gameplay), three teams from the Athens area are set to compete in the GHSA state championship football games scheduled for Dec. 16-18 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Prince Avenue Christian (10-3) dominated North Cobb Christian 43-0 in a cold clash at Brad Akins Stadium, even with both of their quarterbacks along with their standout sophomore running back facing minor injuries. This marks their fifth straight trip to the championship showdown, with three out of those journeys ending in victories (2020, 2022, 2023). The Wolverines will face off against the same team they triumphed over to wrap up the regular season, Hebron Christian, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m.

North Oconee (14-0) bounced back from a shaky start and is heading to its first title game ever, following the success of the boys basketball team, which also clinched a title last spring. The Titans will battle against a tough and undefeated opponent in Marist.

Jefferson (11-3) secured their first title game appearance under Travis Noland — their previous showing was with Gene Cathcart in 2020. The Dragons will once again face the foe they vanquished in 2012 for their sole state title in school history: Calhoun.

Here’s a recap of Friday night’s events, with all three teams having hosted the semifinals at home.

NORTH OCONEE 27, BLESSED TRINITY 7

At Titan Stadium in Bogart, North Oconee adjusted their strategies after an interception on the very first play, which allowed Blessed Trinity to score early (and the only) point.

Faulkner returned and connected with Khamari Brooks on an 8-yard pass in the second quarter, leveling the score, and from that moment on, it was full speed ahead for the red and black Titans. Caleb Chestnut added a touchdown with a stunning 42-yard run, putting the score at 14-7 by halftime. J.T. Doster, promoted from junior varsity midway through the season to fill a vacancy, scored with a short 1-yard run at the outset of the third quarter, although Oliver Buckley missed the PAT, bringing the tally to 20-7.

The game concluded after Brooks achieved a sack and Mack Collins blocked a kick, leading to a turnover on downs. North Oconee secured their final seven points following a blocked punt with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter, and Blessed Trinity was unable to respond in the fourth.

Marist triumphed over Creekside 27-21 in the semifinals. The Titans and War Eagles are set to clash on Monday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. for the Class 4A state championship. Marist has clinched three state titles (the most recent in 2020). North Oconee has never reached the finals.

JEFFERSON 21, LAGRANGE 13

At Jefferson Memorial Stadium in Jefferson, the Dragons took an early lead against LaGrange and maintained their momentum, winning a close, one-possession game.

Dallas Russell got the scoring underway in the second quarter with a 4-yard run after a 57-yard pass from Gavin Markey to Rett Hemphill set it up. Markey then added a short 3-yard run to extend the lead to 14-0 by halftime. He capped off their scoring with a final 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Markey entered Friday night as the leading rusher for the team, with 183 carries totaling 1,445 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Calhoun won against Stephenson 35-13 in the semifinals. The Dragons and Yellow Jackets will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. to contest the Class 3A championship. Calhoun has secured four state titles (most recently in 2017) and did not qualify for the playoffs last season. Jefferson holds one state title (2012 against Calhoun).