GHSA Game Day State Championships 2023

GHSA Game Day State Championship

GEORGIA State University Convocation Center DECEMBER 8, 2023

2023 GHSA GAME DAY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WELCOME GHSA GAME DAY FANS

W

elcome to the 2023 GHSA Game Day State Championships! I know you are ready for the high energy performances that these athletes have perfected throughout the year to bring to these championships. The diversity in performances as well as the exceptional skill these teams bring will certainly provide excitement throughout the day.

This yearʼs event is sure to be an exciting one! Special thanks to GHSA Associate Director Penny Mitchell for coordinating todayʼs event. I want to thank the many volunteers who make this event possible and run smoothly. We extend our special appreciation to Georgia State University for being our host. Finally, we thank our sponsors and hope you will support them and our corporate sponsors whenever possible.

Thank you for supporting GHSA Game Day Cheerleading and please join me in offering our best wishes for all of our competitors!

Dr. Robin Hines Executive Director

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The 2023 Georgia High School Association Game Day Guide is published by Score Media, a division of Score Atlanta, in conjunction with the GHSA. The guide was designed by Laura Grieve, and edited

by Craig Sager II, Seth Ellerbee and Graham David. Information provided by the GHSA and photos on the cover and inside the guide are courtesy of Unforgettable Moments. For more information on Score Media, go to Scoreatl.com or call 404-256-1572.

2023 GHSA GAME DAY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

PAST GHSA GAME DAY CHAMPIONS YEAR 2021 2022 2023

7A 5A-6A 3A-4A NORTH GWINNETT LEE COUNTY MORGAN COUNTY NORTH GWINNETT LEE COUNTY MARY PERSONS BUFORD SOUTH EFFINGHAM MARY PERSONS

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A-2A HARALSON CTY. VIDALIA VIDALIA

DANCE NOT HELD MILL CREEK MILL CREEK

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Creek, McIntosh, Tri-Citiies, Marha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts and McDonough will compete in the Class 1A-7A Spirit Dance 2023 GHSAState GAMEChampionship.

DAY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

also did not qualify last year, but will be back and looking to improve from the program’s third-place finish in 2020.

The Game Day format showcases the school spirit and unique routines of each program. Each team will be given a Morgan County returns as the team to beat in the Class chance to showcase its best sideline and crowd-leading ma3A-4A fieldSCHOOL once again. The Bulldogs tookTO the state title with SPIRIT SET SHINE AT GAME DAY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP terial in the following categories: Fight Song, Band Chant and an 80.75 score in 2020 and then defended their crown last

BY SETH ELLERBEE | SELLERBEE@SCOREATL .COM Crowd Leading. he GHSA Game Day Cheerleading State Champi(A-2A).

Vidalia has won back-to-back championships champions are crowned.

Then after a break, Classes year with a first-place finish. Mary Persons has come in seconship will bring the season to a close at Georgia after Haralson County won the inaugural A-2A title. 5A-6A and 1A-2A will begin competition at 2:30 p.m.

When itchampion comes to until the 6Crowd Leading chant, the time beond with in each of theCenter last two andMary Heritage-Catoosa State University’s Convocation Friday,years Decemp.m. when the finalists are announced.

The 5APersons is also a two-time defending ber 8 where championships will be awarded in four after Morgan County’s victory 6A and 1A-2A finals will begin at 7 p.m. and the chamin 3A-4A in 2021.

In gins with a buzzer and can be used as a transition to the floor has scored back-to-back third-place finishes—including two classifications.

5A-6A, Lee County won the first two championships pions will be crowned at 9 p.m. routine.

This performance emphasizes involvement.

The event previously held in April -- highlights a beforethem years ago– when a 2-point deduction dropped to victory “Teams can bring crowd the mascot and just do anySouthdown Effingham’s last season.

In the squad’s ability to lead a crowd in a game day scenario highest class, North Gwinnett thing that will make you want to cheerofforrethese won championships in The Fight Song is performed in a one-minute time limit Heritage-Catoosa earned a 79.25.

Heritage-Catoosa andthird. is judged on a variety of factors like cheer, band 2021 and 2022 before Buford’s championship victory teams,” Mitchell said. corded band music. DuringDuring this, aeach team willtime be allowed chant and fight to bring out top-tier, high-energy team’s allotted during theup finals, last season. scored an song 81.25, however, a 2-point deduction dropped them performances from the talented field.

“Last year, Buford won for the first time,” Mitchell they will be presented with situational challenges to to three consecutive eight counts with stunts, tumbling and down to third place.

“It is judged on how well teams respond and lead said. “Mary Persons has won two years in a row and is determine how they will respond in the performance. example, teams will be told their respective County won the first a crowd in a game day situation,” said GHSA director always very, very good. Morgan jumps.

The same skillFor restrictions of the Crowd Leading are‘footLee County leads the and isare going year and they always very good, also. West Lau- ball team’ is in a defensive situation and they will have Penny Mitchell.

“The band chants are Class the ones5A-6A which field applied to the Fight Song part. a defensive chant. Or that their ‘team’ is to perform rens is very require fansthird-straight to cheer back to you. Cheers thatthis will season. for its championship Thegood.

Trojans

T

Game day cheerleading has grown exponen- driving on offense and the squad will have to produce ask the fans for a response ‘I say black, you say gold. have routinely produced the highest scores—regardless of as a sanctioned When state teams set anupoffensive and take chant. the floor there will be tially since its inception chamBlack!

Gold!’ and chants like that. Something that re“Once in finals, with the situation cheer is addpionship two years ago and with that growth comes quires fan interaction.In ” 2021, Lee County grabbed the crown with a classification. a three-minute time limit that willthebegin the first beat ed, ” Mitchell said.

“Like ‘The Bulldogs need to stop change, for the good.

Two years prior to 2021, the competition was an state-best finish. The Trojans secofdiffaerent, Band Chantsaid. music. starts one continuous perforthe This Knights on 4th-and-goal.

And the team will “Theedged divisions are a little ” Mitchell invitational, not a86.50 state championship, but sincecomfortably be“As we grow them, they may change next year, but have to know to do a defensive cheer. Or there will coming a sanctioned event, several81.75 programs have ond-place Wayne County’s finish.

South Effingham, Carmance that demonstrates all the Game Day elements. Adright now A and 2A are in one division, 3A and 4A are be an offensive situation and the team will have to stood out, capturing multiple state championships. respond accordingly.”element added after in one, are in one andditionally, 7A.” rollton and Lakeside Evans rounded out the top5A-6A 5 finishers. there will be a situational Due to lack of participation, the GHSA removed The event begins at 8 a.m. with the 3A-4A and RETURNING GREATNESS This year, Lee County will lead a field of 13 that Thisdance will portion be either offense or after de- Mill fromand the competition 7A total teams teams competing until 11 the a.m. qualifying to determine round. the fi- the The defending champions are Buford (7A), South Creek and McIntosh shared the championship nalists.

Then the 3A-4A and 7A finalists will return to will be competing in the loaded Class 5A-6A division. Joinfense situation that will come from an announcer-led que. last Effingham (5A-6A), Mary Persons (3A-4A) and Vidalia the stage at noon and compete until 2 p.m. when the season, with Mill Creek defending its 2022 title.

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Regions Bank is proud to support the GHSA Cheerleading Championships and GPB. For more information, talk to an associate, visit regions.com/studentsolutions or call 1.800.regions.

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2023 GHSA GAME DAY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

COMPETITION SCHEDULE SCHOOL

TIME

DIVISION

East Forsyth 8:00 AM 3-4A Berkmar 8:04 AM 7A Heritage 8:07 AM 3-4A Camden County 8:11 AM 7A Troup County 8:14 AM 3-4A Campbell 8:18 AM 7A Riverdale 8:21 AM 3-4A West Forsyth 8:25 AM 7A Wayne County 8:28 AM 3-4A Colquitt County 8:32 AM 7A Columbus 8:35 AM 3-4A Carrollton 8:39 AM 7A Dawson County 8:42 AM 3-4A Valdosta 8:46 AM 7A Savannah Prep 8:49 AM 3-4A Hillgrove 8:53 AM 7A Thomasville 8:56 AM 3-4A South Forsyth 9:00 AM 7A Jackson 9:03 AM 3-4A Cherokee 9:07 AM 7A Westside 9:10 AM 3-4A Richmond Hill 9:14 AM 7A North Oconee 9:17 AM 3-4A OPEN 9:21 AM Madison County 9:24 AM 3-4A Lambert 9:28 AM 7A Pickens 9:31 AM 3-4A Archer 9:35 AM 7A Central 9:38 AM 3-4A Parkview 9:42 AM 7A Stockbridge 9:45 AM 3-4A Meadowcreek 9:49 AM 7A LaGrange 9:52 AM 3-4A Buford 9:56 AM 7A LaFayette 9:59 AM 3-4A Mill Creek 10:03 AM 7A Fayette County 10:06 AM 3-4A Norcross 10:10 AM 7A Cedartown 10:13 AM 3-4A Peachtree Ridge 10:17 AM 7A West Laurens 10:20 AM 3-4A North Gwinnett 10:24 AM 7A Southeast Bulloch 10:27 AM 3-4A Collins Hill 10:31 AM 7A Morgan County 10:34 AM 3-4A Marietta 10:38 AM 7A Mary Persons 10:41 AM 3-4A OPEN 10:45 AM Sonoraville 10:48 AM 3-4A OPEN 10:52 AM Sandy Creek 10:55 AM 3-4A OPEN 10:59 AM Harlem 11:02 AM 3-4A

ANNOUNCE 3-4A & 7A FINALISTS

Finalist 1 12:12 PM 3-4A Finalist 1 12:16 PM 7A Finalist 2 12:19 PM 3-4A Finalist 2 12:23 PM 7A Finalist 3 12:26 PM 3-4A Finalist 3 12:30 PM 7A Finalist 4 12:33 PM 3-4A Finalist 4 12:37 PM 7A Finalist 5 12:40 PM 3-4A Finalist 5 12:44 PM 7A Finalist 6 12:47 PM 3-4A Finalist 6 12:51 PM 7A Finalist 7 12:54 PM 3-4A OPEN 12:58 PM Finalist 8 1:01 PM 3-4A Finalist 7 1:05 PM 7A Finalist 9 1:08 PM 3-4A Finalist 8 1:12 PM 7A Finalist 10 1:15 PM 3-4A Finalist 9 1:19 PM 7A Finalist 11 1:22 PM 3-4A Finalist 10 1:26 PM 7A Finalist 12 1:29 PM 3-4A Finalist 11 1:33 PM 7A Finalist 13 1:36 PM 3-4A OPEN 1:40 PM Finalist 14 1:43 PM 3-4A

3-4A & 7A AWARDS

Lanier 2:29 PM 5-6A Cook County 2:32 PM 1-2A Chattahoochee 2:36 PM 5-6A KIPP Atlanta 2:39 PM 1-2A Jefferson 2:43 PM 5-6A Calvary Day 2:46 PM 1-2A

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SCHOOL

TIME

DIVISION

Flowery Branch 2:50 PM 5-6A Commerce 2:53 PM 1-2A Douglas County 2:57 PM 5-6A North Murray 3:00 PM 1-2A Northview 3:04 PM 5-6A Dade County 3:07 PM 1-2A North Forsyth 3:11 PM 5-6A Swainsboro 3:14 PM 1-2A Woodland 3:18 PM 5-6A Trion 3:21 PM 1-2A Evans 3:25 PM 5-6A Banks County 3:28 PM 1-2A New Manchester 3:32 PM 5-6A Rutland 3:35 PM 1-2A Rome 3:39 PM 5-6A Whitefield Academy 3:42 PM 1-2A Banneker 3:46 PM 5-6A Bryan County 3:49 PM 1-2A Habersham Central 3:53 PM 5-6A Northeast 3:56 PM 1-2A Locust Grove 4:00 PM 5-6A Thomson 4:03 PM 1-2A Allatoona 4:07 PM 5-6A OPEN 4:10 PM Gainesville 4:14 PM 5-6A Model 4:17 PM 1-2A Lovejoy 4:21 PM 5-6A Schley County 4:24 PM 1-2A Mays 4:28 PM 5-6A Brooks County 4:31 PM 1-2A Marist 4:35 PM 5-6A Early County 4:38 PM 1-2A South Effingham 4:42 PM 5-6A Pepperell 4:45 PM 1-2A Newnan 4:49 PM 5-6A Toombs County 4:52 PM 1-2A Effingham County 4:56 PM 5-6A Emanuel County Institute 4:59 PM 1-2A Creekview 5:03 PM 5-6A Vidalia 5:06 PM 1-2A Thomas County Central 5:10 PM 5-6A Jeff Davis 5:13 PM 1-2A Cartersville 5:17 PM 5-6A Heard County 5:20 PM 1-2A East Paulding 5:24 PM 5-6A Drew Charter 5:27 PM 1-2A Lee County 5:31 PM 5-6A Fannin County 5:34 PM 1-2A Woodward Academy 5:38 PM 5-6A Haralson County 5:41 PM 1-2A Lithia Springs 5:45 PM 5-6A OPEN 5:48 PM Calhoun 5:52 PM 5-6A OPEN 5:55 PM Midtown 5:59 PM 5-6A

ANNOUNCE 5-6A & 1-2A FINALISTS

Finalist 1 7:12 PM 5-6A Finalist 1 7:16 PM 1-2A Finalist 2 7:19 PM 5-6A Finalist 2 7:23 PM 1-2A Finalist 3 7:26 PM 5-6A Finalist 3 7:30 PM 1-2A Finalist 4 7:33 PM 5-6A Finalist 4 7:37 PM 1-2A Finalist 5 7:40 PM 5-6A Finalist 5 7:44 PM 1-2A Finalist 6 7:47 PM 5-6A Finalist 6 7:51 PM 1-2A Finalist 7 7:54 PM 5-6A Finalist 7 7:58 PM 1-2A Finalist 8 8:01 PM 5-6A OPEN 8:05 PM Finalist 9 8:08 PM 5-6A Finalist 8 8:12 PM 1-2A Finalist 10 8:15 PM 5-6A Finalist 9 8:19 PM 1-2A Finalist 11 8:22 PM 5-6A Finalist 10 8:26 PM 1-2A Finalist 12 8:29 PM 5-6A Finalist 11 8:33 PM 1-2A Finalist 13 8:36 PM 5-6A Finalist 12 8:40 PM 1-2A Finalist 14 8:43 PM 5-6A Finalist 13 8:47 PM 1-2A Finalist 15 8:50 PM 5-6A Finalist 14 8:54 PM 1-2A Finalist 16 8:57 PM 5-6A

ANNOUNCE 5-6A &1-2A FINALISTS

DECEMBER 8, 2023

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