Three reigning state champions advanced to the flag football finals on Monday, while the sport’s most decorated team was eliminated.

McEachern, Pope and Greenbrier all earned a spot in next week’s flag football championship games at Mercedes Benz Stadium. But Southeast Bulloch, which had won four straight titles, was eliminated.

North Oconee put an end to Southeast Bulloch’s four-year reign by beating the Yellow Jackets 21-20 in Warner Robins. North Oconee secured the victory when it intercepted Southeast Bulloch’s extra point pass in the end zone. The Titans ended Southeast’s chances by intercepting a lateral in the final seconds.

It was a moment of revenge for North Oconee, which lost to Southeast in the 2023 championship game. 

“What I’m most proud of is the fight they had, especially tonight,” Southeast coach Jodi Cochran told the Grice Connect. “It would have been easy to lay down, but they didn’t They came back and fought as hard as they could. That’s what SEB flag football is about, finishing and fighting.”

The third-round and semifinal matchups in all five divisions were played on Monday at 10 different sites throughout Georgia. 

The schedule for the championship game is: 

Dec. 15 – Division 1: Washington County vs. Harris County, 11 a.m.; Division 2: Greenbrier vs. Jenkins, 1 p.m. 

Dec. 16 – Division 3: Whitewater vs. North Oconee, 10 a.m.; Division 4: Milton vs. Blessed Trinity, noon 

Dec. 17 – Division 5: McEachern vs. Pope, 11 a.m. 

All championship games will be televised on GPB-TV and live streamed on GPB.org.

Division 5

At McEachern: McEachern defeated Lithia Springs 19-0 and beat North Forsyth 33-0 to reach the state championship game. North Forsyth eliminated Buford 13-6. At Lambert: Pope beat Woodstock 26-7 and nipped Lambert 27-26 in double overtime. Lambert beat Marietta 28-6 in the third round. McEachern and Pope both won state championships last year and Pope has won two in a row.

Click here to watch a replay of the games from McEachern. 

Division 4

At Milton: Host Milton beat St. Pius 26-6 and tripped up East Coweta 26-6 to advance to the finals. East Coweta slipped past Johns Creek 14-13. At Hughes: Blessed Trinity had no trouble moving on with a 21-7 win over Hughes and a 27-0 victory over Newton. The Rams nipped Marist 20-19 in the third-round game.

Division 3

At Whitewater: Whitewater used its defense to advance to the final, blanking Maynard Jackson 13-0 in the quarterfinals and edging Richmond Hill 6-0 in the semifinal. Richmond Hill beat Locust Grove 14-7 in the other quarterfinal. At McConnell-Talbert Stadium, Warner Robins: North Oconee thumped Long County 34-0 in the third round and knocked off Southeast Bulloch 21-20 in the semifinal. Southeast routed Northside Warner Robins 41-0 in the third-round game. 

Division 2

At Therrell: Jenkins used its powerful offense to beat Therrell 34-0 in the quarterfinal and whipped Grovetown 27-7 in the semifinal. Grovetown beat Jonesboro 28-0 in the other quarterfinal. At Cobb Stadium, Avondale: Defending state champion Greenbrier edged Seckinger 7-6 to advance to the championship game. The Wolfpack beat Calvary Day 25-0 in the quarterfinal, while Seckinger eliminated Redan 20-14.

Division 1

At Columbus: Washington County knocked off St. Vincent’s Academy 28-19 and defeated host Columbus 24-13 in the semifinal. Columbus beat Heard County 13-6 in the quarterfinal opener. At Harris County: Harris County routed Gainesville 34-0 in the quarterfinals and beat Fitzgerald 14-7 in the Final Four. Fitzgerald blanked Jordan 19-0 in the other third-round game.

Redan Flag

Seckinger's Favour Ifediorah tries to close in on Redan's Legend Williams in their third-round game.

Credit: DeKalb County Athletics