Class 4A: Benedictine 14, Cedartown 13

Benedictine stuffed Cedartown on four consecutive running plays inside 2-yard line in the last minute of the game, including a fourth-and-goal from the 1 on the final play, to preserve a 14-13 victory in the Class 4A championship game Friday at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.

The Cadets (13-2), ranked No. 4, successfully defended their 2021 championship and won their fourth title in nine years. Top-ranked Cedartown (14-1), playing in its first final since 2001, was seeking its first championship since 1963.

Benedictine led 14-7 midway through the fourth quarter until Cedartown quarterback Reece Tanner scored on a 1-yard run, his second short touchdown run of the game. But the Bulldogs missed the extra-point attempt, keeping Benedictine’s lead at one point with 4:53 remaining.

Cedartown held Benedictine to 9 yards on the following possession, but instead of punting, the Cadets ran a fake that gained no yards and turned the ball back over to Cedartown at the 24 with 3:27 left.

After six plays, the Bulldogs had first-and-goal at the 1. Cedartown ran for no gain, a loss of 1 and a gain of 1 before being stopped short of the end zone on the last play.

Benedictine took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 19-yard pass from Houston Jackson to Za’Quan Bryan and made it 14-0 with a 12-yard touchdown run by RaSean Matthews on its first drive of the second half.

Cedartown outgained Benedictine 280-196, getting 243 yards from its running game on 56 carries. Patrick Gardner ran for 101 yards on 20 carries, followed by Harlem Diamond (13 carries, 50 yards) and Tanner (14 carries, 38 yards).

Wilkes Albert led the Benedictine defense with six unassisted tackles and 14 assists.

Game Statistics

Benedictine - 0-7-7-0 - 14

Cedartown - 0-0-7-6 - 13

Second quarter

B - Za’Quan Bryan 19 pass from Houston Jackson (Asher Sigmon kick), 0:57

Third quarter

B - Resean Matthews 12 run (Sigmon kick), 10:21

C – Reece Tanner 1 run (Eri Valesquez kick), 2:00

Fourth quarter

C – Tanner 1 run (kick failed), 4:53

Rushing: Benedictine - Na'Seir Samuel 10-46, Luke Kromenhoek 16-34, RaSean Matthews 3-18, Areyion Guyton 1-0, Team 1-(-2). Cedartown - Patrick Gardner 20-101, Harlem Diamond 13-50, Reece Tanner 14-38, Khamarion Davis 3-34, Xavier Hargrove 6-20.

Passing: Benedictine - Luke Kromenhoek 8-18-0-81, Houston Jackson 1-1-0-19. Cedartown - Reece Tanner 6-12-0-37.

Receiving: Benedictine - Za'Quan Bryan 7-65, RaSean Matthews 1-29, La'Don Bryant 1-6. Cedartown - Khamarion Davis 2-16, Harlem Diamond 2-12, Demarcus Gardner 2-9.