Class 2A: Carver (Columbus) 52, Burke County 14

Recap: The game was close after one quarter, but Zay Billingsley’s 18-yard return of an intercepted screen pass gave Carver a 17-7 lead with 11:17 left in the second quarter set the rout into motion. Matthew Mungin was 19-of-20 passing for 327 yards and four touchdowns, and Kei’Maurii Miles had seven receptions for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Carver never punted while scoring on eight of 10 full possessions. Carver’s defense forced Burke County into six three-and-out possessions and allowed just 102 total yards. Burke County was 0-for-9 on third down conversions, and A'merre Williams, who entered with 1,674 rushing yards, was held to 9 yards. 

History: Carver, elevated to the No. 1 ranking entering the playoffs, won its second state championship, first since 2007, and finished 14-1, its only loss against Class 4A Harris County in August. Carver never allowed more than 15 points in a game, and none of its playoff games was closer than 21 points. Kei’Maurii Miles became the seventh player with three receiving touchdowns in a championship game, the first since Jayden Howard of Stockbridge last season. Matthew Mungin was the 14th player to throw four TD passes in a final, the first since Cedar Grove’s E.J. Colson last season. Burke County, ranked No. 3, failed it in its bid for a first state title since 2011 and finished 13-2. 

Game Statistics

Burke County - 7-0-7-0 - 14

Carver (Columbus) - 10-21-14-7- 52

First quarter

C - Jameil Williams 1 run (Kendrick Pearce-Spencer kick), 10:26

B - Kel’Von Scott 21 run (William Lovett kick), 3:56

C - Pearce-Spencer 26 field goal, 0:00

Second quarter

C - Zay Billingsley 18 interception return (Pearce-Spencer kick), 11:17

C - Kelston Tarver 16 run (Pearce-Spencer kick), 6:53

C - Kei’Maurii Miles 7 pass from Matthew Mungin (Pearce-Spencer kick), 0:15

Third quarter

B - Joshua Arroyo 29 pass from Sean Vandiver (Lovett kick), 9:38

C - Braylon Jakes 30 pass from Mungin (Pearce-Spencer kick), 3:50

C - Miles 21 pass from Mungin (Pearce-Spencer kick), 1:11

Fourth quarter

C - Miles 54 pass from Mungin (Pearce-Spencer kick), 8:36

Rushing: Burke County - Kel'Von Scott 4-28, Chris Flournoy 5-13, A'merre Williams 8-9, Sean Vandiver 7-1. Carver - Kelston Tarver 8-79, Kobe Caselin 11-44, Matthew Mungin 6-19, Jameil Williams 2-1, Bryson Headley 2-(-2), Jashawn Hall 1-(-2).

Passing: Burke County - Sean Vandiver 4-13-1-52. Carver - Matthew Mungin 19-20-0-327.

Receiving: Burke County - Denarion Perkins 2-8, Joshua Arroyo 1-29, A'merre Williams 1-15. Carver, - Kei'Maurii Miles 7-179, Braylon Jakes 7-90, Kobe Caselin 5-58.