The semifinals are the last step for teams to get the Georgia Dome for the state championships. This means the games are tight and the teams will play like it's their last game of the year. And for the 20 teams that reached the semifinals, 10 will earn the right to play in downtown Atlanta this weekend. Here's the recap of semifinals action from the weekend.
Class AAAAA
Brookwood took on Collins Hill Friday night and the it was a Brookwood was looking to reach the state title game for the first time in five years. They were able to accomplish that feat as they took down Collins Hill 26-7. Brookwood QB Ben McClane threw two touchdown passes and Nick Moore came up with with two interceptions against Collins Hill QB Taylor Heinicke who finished the season with over 4,000 passing yards and 44 touchdowns. Brookwood will be looking to win their first state title since 1996.
On the other side of the bracket, Colquitt County was able to take down Grayson 31-24 in a wild contest. Colquitt was down 24-17 but was able to tie the game when Tyler Brown threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Hudson early in the fourth quarter. They broke the tie when Telvin King ran for a 1-yard score a few minutes later. For Colquitt head coach Rush Propst, it's his 200th career victory and it will be his first state title appearance since being named head coach in 2008.
Class AAAA
One of the more thrilling games had to Starr's Mill able to come away with a 20-19 win over Tucker. It looked as if Tucker was going to put the game away, being up by five points with a 2:30 left in the game. But Bashr Coles fumbled and was recovered by the Panthers. That led to a Adam Holley 26-yard touchdown pass to Alex Riddle for the go-ahead score. Starr's Mill will make their first state title appearance in school history.
Another team that will be heading to their first state title game will be Chattahoochee, as they defeated Statesboro 21-19. Ammon Lakip kicked a 27-yard FG as time expired to lift the Cougars past Statesboro. Both Starr's Mill and Chattahoochee go into the state title game with prefect records at 14-0.
Class AAA
Speaking of undefeated teams, Sandy Creek and Peach County took on each other and it was Sandy Creek that came out on top with a 35-17 win. Sandy Creek QB Ronnie Bell threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Sandy Creek's opponent in the finals will be Carrollton who was able to dominate Burke County with a 49-15 win. The Trojans scored 28 points in the second quarter and running back Broderick Snoody scored three touchdowns. Carrollton will look to win their first state title since 1998 and Sandy Creek actually won the AAAA title last year and will try to become the first team in state history to win consecutive state titles in different classifications.
Class AA
Buford has been the top dog in this class for the last three years and they will try to hold on to that title this season. The Wolves are one step closer as they took down Lovett 53-15. Buford gained 288 yards of total offense and 168 of those yards came from Seon Jones.
Buford will take on Calhoun who defeated Carver-Columbus 27-14. The Calhoun defense was the story for the Yellow Jackets as the held Carver running back Isaiah Crowell to under 100 yards rushing and one touchdown. Calhoun scored 24 straight points to earn the win and remain undefeated.
Class A
Savannah Christian is back in the title game for the second consecutive year as they beat Welseyan 28-13. Defense was key for the Pirates as they held Wesleyan running back Kyle Karempelis to only 32 yards on 13 carries. They will face Clinch County who took down Wilkinson County 35-14. Anthony McNeil and Trey Dorsey played big for Clinch, rushing for a combined 316 yards and accounted of all five of the Panthers' touchdowns.