4A

Marist changed the momentum with a second-half safety and rose up to beat Jefferson 30-14 in the Class 4A championship game, giving the War Eagles their first title since 2003.

With the game tied 14-14, Marist’s Charlie Flemming caught Jefferson’s Kam Robinson in the endzone for a safety. The War Eagles added a 6-yard scoring run from Ian Otten and an 18-yard touchdown run from Andrew Mannelly.

Click here for the official boxscore.

Marist (13-0) completed its first unbeaten season since the 1989 championship team went 15-0. The victory was the 399th for Marist coach Alan Chadwick, who has led the program since 1985.

Marist quarterback Champ Davis ran 19 times for 59 yards and one touchdown and completed 3 of 8 passes for 38 yards. Flemming was a weapon as a punter, averaging 46.4 yards on five kicks.

Jefferson (12-1) was limited to 182 yards rushing, 150 below its season average. Robinson gained 69 yards, but 67 came on one play. All-state quarterback Malaki Starks rushed for 63 yards, with 41 coming on one play, and completed 1 of 4 passes for 27 yards. Jefferson’s two touchdowns came on runs by Jordan Perry.