Class 3A: Cedar Grove 49, Savannah Christian 28

Recap: Elliott Colson threw TD passes to four receivers, two in the second quarter to start a 28-0 run that broke open what had been a 14-14 game. Interceptions helped turn the tide. With Savannah Christian down only 21-14 and inside Cedar Grove’s 15-yard line, D’Marcus intercepted a pass in the end zone. Later in the half, Tony Forney returned an interception 44 yards to the Savannah Christian 18, and Colson hit Devin Carter for a touchdown and a 28-14 lead on the next play. Boden Walker scored on a 50-yard run in the first minute of the second half to put Cedar Grove up 35-14. Walker, who is committed to Georgia, rushed for 129 yards. Colson, who is committed to Central Florida, was 11-of-16 passing for 259 yards. Chase Kerns had three tackles for losses totaling 15 yards. Savannah Christian’s Zo Smalls and Kenry Wall, both 1,000-yard rushers, were held to 86 and 74 yards, respectively.

History: Cedar Grove, which lost controversially to Sandy Creek in a 2022 final that prompted the GHSA to adopt video replay in championship games, became the seventh school to win a fifth state championship in an eight-year span. Cedar Grove became the fourth team in history to win a state title after losing five games in the regular season. The others are 1965 West Rome, 1992 Thomas County Central and 2018 Bainbridge. Colson finished with 2,634 yards passing with 31 touchdowns against only one interception against Class 3A’s toughest schedule. Savannah Christian was denied what would have been its first title since 2011.

Game Statistics

Savannah Christian - 7-7-7-7 - 28

Cedar Grove - 14-14-21-0 - 49

First quarter

SC - Zo Smalls 2 run (Ethan Byrd kick), 9:53

CG - Malachi Miller 64 pass from Elliott Colson (Russell Brock kick), 9:31

CG - Boden Walker 10 run (Brock kick), 2:39

Second quarter

SC - Smalls 1 run (Byrd kick), 11:15

CG - Andrew Leslie 31 pass from Colson (Brock kick), 10:04

CG - Devin Carter 18 pass from Colson (Brock kick), 0:59

Third quarter

CG - Walker 50 run (Brock kick), 11:10

CG - Anthony Booker 7 run (Brock kick), 7:01

SC - Jaden Miles 24 run (Byrd kick), 5:57

CG - Jordan Christie 45 pass from Colson (Brock kick), 0:45

Fourth quarter

SC - Smalls 1 run (Byrd kick), 9:10

Rushing: Savannah Christian - Zo Smalls 23-86, Kenry Wall 12-74, Jaden Miles 7-40, David Bucey 1-26, Blaise Thomas 5-(-11). Cedar Grove - Boden Walker 18-129, Anthony Booker 9-93, Elliott Colson 11-37, Malachi Miller 1-5, Team 4-(-24).

Passing: Savannah Christian - Blaise Thomas 8-15-2-79. Cedar Grove - Elliott Colson 11-16-0-259.

Receiving: Savannah Christian - David Bucey 4-39, Logan Brooking 37, Jaden Miles 1-3. Cedar Grove - Devin Carter 4-59, Malachi Miller 3-80, Andrew Leslie 2-77, Jordan Christie 1-45, Quentavious Price 1-(-2).