The GHSA flag football state championships have wrapped up another season, with a pair of programs ‘three-peating,’ two schools winning their first titles and another returning to glory after two years without hoisting a trophy.

In Division I, Harris County (24-3) put a bow on its dominant season, posting four shutouts in its five state playoff games, earning its first state championship with a 32-0 dismantling of Washington County.

The North Oconee Titans (22-3) took home Division 3 honors, running away from Whitewater 31-6 for its first state title, as well. 

Blessed Trinity (19-5) stumbled down the stretch of the regular season, dropping three of its final four games against staunch competition. Head coach Brandon Harwell’s team used the disappointing finish to its advantage, winning its last six games of the season, including a 21-20 double overtime thriller in the Division 4 final against Milton to take home the program’s second state championship.

In Division 2 and Division 5, Greenbrier (22-3) and Pope (20-3) each continued its respective dynasties with a third consecutive title, but not without some added drama. 

The Wolfpack squeaked past Jenkins County in a 20-13 battle, while the Greyhounds roared back from a late deficit to stun McEachern 14-13 in the final seconds.

Top performers in the state title games: 

Harris County quarterback Madalynn Cauley was our Flag Football Division 1 Player of the Game.

Harris County quarterback Madalynn Cauley gets interviewed by Jon Nelson as our Georgia Cotton Commission Player of the Game after her Flag Football Division 1 Championship win.

Harris County’s Madalynn Cauley threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns, adding 54 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Junior wide receiver Aubrey Mertz had five catches for 30 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ win.

North Oconee senior quarterback Catherine Cooper stamped the best season in program history with 229 passing yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore Elizabeth Patterson was the recipient of two of Cooper’s passing scores as the Titans blew past Whitewater.

Blessed Trinity takes the podium after their Flag Football Division 4 OT Championship win over Milton.

Blessed Trinity takes the podium after their Flag Football Division 4 OT Championship win over Milton.

Lauded as arguably the best player in program history, Blessed Trinity senior quarterback Addie Spak threw for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans’ win over Milton, adding a team-high five tackles. Defensively, fellow senior Addison Wickremesekera picked off Milton quarterback Audrey Jensen twice in the win. In defeat, Alana Calhoun had seven catches for 63 yards and two scores for the Eagles.

For Greenbrier, Addisen Odom passed for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning 18-yard pass to Abby Lester with five minutes left in the Wolfpack’s 20-13 win over Jenkins. For the Warriors, I’yarna Lee threw for 175 yards and two scores, while Ca’Niyah Williams led the way with six tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and the team’s only sack of Odom.

Pope senior quarterback Abby Bensman during her Georgia Cotton Commission Player of the Game interview with Jon Nelson.

Credit: Pope senior quarterback Abby Bensman during her Georgia Cotton Commission Player of the Game interview with Jon Nelson.

Championship week’s biggest comeback came in the final game, as Pope rallied from a 13-point deficit with less than four minutes left to secure its third straight title. Greyhounds’ quarterback Abby Bensman overcame two interceptions to throw for 147 yards and the first of two late touchdowns to start Pope’s improbable rally. Bensman also scored the game-winning extra-point with five seconds left. Kate Davenport and Kourtney Kalman each finished with 47 receiving yards in the win, with Kalman scampering for the game-tying rushing touchdown in the final seconds. For the Lady Indians, Ava George threw for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Gabriela Solis recorded an interception and two pass break-ups in the loss.