Dublin completes second-half comeback to clinch first state championship since 2006

For the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2006, the Dublin Fighting Irish can call themselves state champions. The team avoided near disaster on multiple occasions to clinch the GHSA AA state championship with a victory against Brooks County 42-32.

The game started of well for Dublin as Qua Ashley came up with an interception on the second play. This set up fullback Jaques Evans for his first touchdown of the game.

Brooks County settled in on offense with back-to-back scores, including a 72-yard touchdown catch for wide receiver Devin Edwards from Ni’tavion Burrus.

Dublin’s John William Potter made a field goal to cut the deficit to 14-9.

The Fighting Irish had a chance to score before the half but were stuffed on three straight runs from the Brooks County 1-yard line as time ran out.

The second half turned into a heavyweight fight between these two sides with both throwing haymakers. They combined for five touchdowns in the third quarter alone.

But it was two big defensive plays that turned the tide of the game.

Dublin was up 15-14 and was inside the Brooks County 10-yard line and looked poised to score. Running back Marcus Adams was tackled and the ball popped free after it appeared he was down, but refs ruled it a fumble. Brooks County’s Tyreke Thomas recovered the ball and sprinted 96 yards for a touchdown.

Dublin scored quickly and then forced a fumble with linebacker Romello Height falling on it inside the Brooks County 5-yard line. This led to a second touchdown in less than a minute to put Dublin up 28-20.

Brooks County running back Omari Arnold answered with a score of his own. The teams went into the fourth quarter with Dublin up by two.

The teams traded blows in the final quarter with Dublin’s Zion Kemp throwing the knockout punch with less than two minutes to play to give Dublin a 42-32 win and the state title.

STARS OF THE GAME:

Dublin RB Jaques Evans: He carried the ball 40 times for 185 yards and one touchdown. Evans was the catalyst for the offense as he slowly wore the defense down with short gains early in the game. In the second half, Evans led the comeback with 102 yards in the second half.

Dublin LB Romello Height: The Miami commit came up with one of the biggest plays of the game with his fumble recovery deep in Brooks County territory. It completely flipped the momentum of the game. He finished with more than six tackles despite seeing consistent double teams for much of the game and had a couple key sacks.

Brooks County RB Omari Arnold: Each time the Trojans needed a score, Arnold was there to provide it. He scored on a 65-yard touchdown run that got Brooks County within two points heading to the fourth quarter. He finished with 103 yards on 10 carries and had three touchdowns. The passing game struggled to get going against the Dublin defense. but the run game kept Brooks County in it to the end.

THEY SAID IT

“We have always dreamed of this. We worked our butts off at practice every day and we finally got it man. It is all we have ever dreamed of.” — Dublin linebacker Romello Height on what makes this so special as a senior.

“It feels good. We haven’t had a state title since 2006. It has been a long time. To do it again, it just feels good.” — Dublin running back Jaques Evans on winning a state title for Dublin.

“I am proud of these young men. They have answered the bell every time we have asked them. I feel good. I feel like I am about to go dance a jig with these boys.” — Dublin coach Roger Holmes on winning another state title.

This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Dublin completes second-half comeback to clinch first state championship since 2006."