For the first time since 2002, the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets are headed to the state championship game after taking down Marist in a hard-fought 13-7 win Friday night.
After last making it to the state finals 21 years ago as members of Class 4A, the Yellow Jackets will now look to bring home their first title since 1997 as members of Class 6A.
With what has proven to be one of the best defenses in the state of Georgia, regardless of classification, the Yellow Jackets held the War Eagles to a mere seven points on Friday night, their lowest scoring output since their loss to Rome in last year’s Class 6A state quarterfinals.
After traveling some 240 miles north to take on Marist in the Class 6A semifinals Friday night, the Yellow Jackets couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the game.
The Yellow Jackets got the ball for the first time with just under seven minutes remaining in the first quarter and promptly marched 80 yards on 16 plays and scored when sophomore quarterback Jalen Johnson ran the ball in from one yard out.
Leading the War Eagles 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, they later found the end zone again, this time with a 1-yard touchdown run from senior running back Trey Brenton with just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
A missed extra point gave the Yellow Jackets a 13-0 lead.
In desperate need of some offense, the War Eagles finally got some on their next drive. After marching into Yellow Jacket territory, junior quarterback Jack Euart rumbled into the end zone from 12 yards out to cut his team’s deficit to 13-7 with one minute remaining in the half.
That, however, was the last score of the game for either team.
After forcing a fumble in the first half that helped set up their second touchdown drive, the Yellow Jackets defense forced two more turnovers in the second half, including the game-sealer.
Despite all of their offensive struggles on the night, the War Eagles still found themselves with an opportunity to take…
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