Berkley Perkins caught a 27-yard touchdown pass with 2:34 remaining and Bowdon held off a final Lincoln County drive for a 35-31 victory in the Class title game to win its fourth straight state championship on Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Lincoln County responded by taking the ensuing kickoff and reaching the 3 yard line before the clock ran out.

Bowdon joins Valdosta, Buford and Eagle’s Landing Christian as the fourth school to win four consecutive championships.

No. 4 Bowdon finished the season 13-2. No. 1 Lincoln County (14-1) came up short of winning its first state title since 2006.

Lincoln County took a 31-28 leads after two touchdown runs by Kelby Glaze, a 3-yard to cap a 77-yard, 11-play drive, and 84-yard run that saw him hit the edge and take off.

Bowdon went ahead by driving 80 yards in nine plays. The go-ahead points came when Josh Hopkins was flushed out of the pocket but found Perkins, who made a diving catch and barely picked the ball off the turf. The score came with all-state receiver and Georgia signee Kaiden Prothro on the bench with leg cramps. 

Perkins caught three passes for 80 yards and also had a 48-yard touchdown reception. He led the defense with 10 tackles and forced a fumble. 

Glaze rushed 20 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns, as Bowdon ran for 391 yards. 

Bowdon’s Hopkins completed 13 of 18 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns, also connecting with Prothro and Mike Patterson for scores. Hopkins was also the top rusher with 101 yards on 19 carries. 

The Lincoln  County defense was led by Christian Elam with nine tackles, including one sack.