Stratford falls in title game, Warner Robins on to sixth straight state championship
Football games can come down to mere inches, but it seemed like whole miles stood between Stratford and a championship trophy in Macon Friday night.
The Eagles’ search for an eighth state title was cut short by St. Anne-Pacelli, as the Eagles couldn’t muster any offense in a 10-0 loss for the GIAA 4A State Championship.
The win gave Pacelli their first state championship. It was also the first title for head coach Dwight Jones after 32 years of leading various high school squads.
“It’s a dream come true, it’s something (I’ve) tried to do for 32 years of head coaching, and we had to have the right team to do it, and this was the right team,” Jones said. “These guys deserve it, it’s not about me, it’s about them.”
The Pacelli defense shut down the Eagles offense completely. Stratford’s biggest offensive play of the entire contest was only for 11 yards, despite blowing out Tattnall last week in the semifinals.
“Well we played a good game, our defensive coordinator does a fantastic job, our guys played with heart, soul and guts,” Jones said. “They played for 48 minutes, didn’t let them breathe.”
The win gave the Vikings their first state championship.
“These guys deserve it, it feels fantastic,” head coach Dwight Jones said mere seconds before his players drenched him. “These guys care about each other, they don’t give up… that’s why we’re champions tonight.”
It was a defensive first half for both teams, with neither squad able to get a drive going. Both teams relied heavily on the run but couldn’t muster any big plays. There were only 116 yards of total offense in the first half.
A key interception gave Pacelli great field position, but their kicker missed a field goal that would have scored the only points for either side. The two teams entered the break deadlocked in a scoreless tie.
The second half saw more chapters of the same story, but one key play changed the game for both sides.
After a stop deep in their own territory, Stratford’s punter bobbled the snap and was tackled on the eight-yard line. The field position set up Pacelli and, after a penalty moved them back, the Vikings struck for an 18-yard touchdown pass to take the lead in the third quarter.
When the ball fell into wide receiver Cooper Trombley’s hands in the end zone, the game felt as good as over. A field goal early in the fourth quarter sealed the difference as the Vikings went on to win 10-0.
Other scores
- Warner Robins 35, Cartersville 10, Warner Robins advances to GHSA 5A championship
- John Milledge 49, Deerfield-Windsor 0, JMA wins GIAA Class 3A Championship
- CFCA 46, Brentwood 7, CFCA wins GIAA Class 2A State Championship
