GHSA 2017 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Photo courtesy of Athens Academy
Class A-Private ELCA vs. Athens Academy Friday, December 8 | 10:00 AM By Graham David
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EAGLE’S LANDING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 13-0, REGION 5 NO. 1 SEED
agle’s Landing Christian’s dominance throughout the regular season helped the Chargers achieve a perfect 2017 season, giving them a chance for their third consecutive state title. After losing their first game during the 2012 season, ELCA held strong and won out for the rest of the season. They shut out opponent Prince Avenue in the Championship game to claim the first school title since 1996. After a 2014 season in which the Chargers went 7-7 and lost in the finals to Mount Paran, they responded in 2015 by advancing all the way to the finals, where they upset third-ranked Aquinas 3514. The 2016 season was more of the same, as the Chargers went undefeated, ending their season with a double-overtime victory over Fellowship Christian after running back Trevor Gear rushed into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Justin Menard and Josh Mays provide a one-two punch on offense.
2017 RESULTS EAGLE’S LANDING......................................21-14 W JONESBORO..................................................35-7 W KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC (TN).........................55-10 W HART COUNTY.............................................49-19 W HOLY INNOCENTS’.........................................49-0 W WESLEYAN....................................................45-6 W OUR LADY OF MERCY...................................76-6 W
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STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN............................54-0 W MOUNT VERNON...........................................70-0 W LANDMARK CHRISTIAN................................69-7 W SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN.................................54-0 W CALVARY DAY................................................55-0 W PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN.........................55-0 W
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ATHENS ACADEMY 13-0, REGION 8 NO. 2 SEED
thens Academy’s 13-0 record gives the school a chance at its first perfect record and state title in school history. Truly in superior form, the Spartans have beaten opponents this year by an average of just over 32 points, making them a hard team to keep up with. A close game with third-ranked Mount Paran Christian in the semifinals almost ended the Spartans’ season. Midway through the third quarter, George Smith picked up a Mount Paran fumble and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 14-7 lead that they would not give up. Sophomore Len’Neth Whitehead stars at running back and linebackers. Head coach Josh Alexander is in his third season with Athens Academy and led the team to its first region title in five years this fall. Alexander has a 31-5 record at Athens Academy. With strong coaching and a prolific offense, the Spartans will look to upset the Chargers.
2017 RESULTS WALKER........................................................42-7 W LAKEVIEW ACADEMY....................................48-0 W ATHENS CHRISTIAN......................................47-0 W TOWNS COUNTY..........................................53-13 W RIVERSIDE MILITARY..................................40-20 W HEBRON CHRISTIAN...................................49-14 W PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN..............................48-0 W
GEORGE WALTON..........................................36-3 W COMMERCE...................................................22-7 W PRINCE AVENUE..........................................32-14 W FIRST PRESBYTERIAN..................................56-7 W SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY..........................38-14 W MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN...........................14-7 W