History was made in Center Parc Stadium on Saturday as Sandy Creek defeated Cedar Grove 21-17 for their fourth state championship. However, that Georgia Class 3A title did not come without its share of controversy.
The Patriots began the noon kickoff game strong, scoring a touchdown on their first drive after a long rush by Amari Latimer. After a few defensive stands, Cedar Grove answered early in the second quarter on a 7-yard rush by Quinterio Lawson. They would add on a field goal just a few minutes later. Turnovers cut potential scoring drives short for Sandy Creek in the first half, but the Saints could hardly capitalize on them. They led at halftime of the state championship, 10-7.
The second half quickly became the Geimere Latimer show. The Patriots’ quarterback scampered into the endzone on Sandy Creek’s first drive of the third quarter, putting his team in front. Cedar Grove nearly answered after a long, physical carry by Lawson, but a blocked field goal gave possession back to Latimer and the Patriots.
Once again, Latimer used his elusiveness and vision to lead Sandy Creek down the field, but a risky fourth down call led to a turnover on downs inside the Cedar Grove redzone. The Saints offense fed off the defensive momentum, using big plays to travel the length of the field. Quarterback EJ Colson, who suffered injuries to both legs earlier in the game, magically escaped the Sandy Creek pass rush and scrambled to midfield, setting up two 25-yard carries by athlete Ricky Lee to give the Saints their first lead of the fourth quarter.
With less than four minutes left, Geimere Latimer returned, using a combination of precision passing and good decision-making to lead Sandy Creek into Saints territory. However, the Saints defense held, forcing a 4th-and-22. Incredibly, though, Latimer came to Sandy Creek’s rescue again, scrambling for exactly 22 yards to extend the improbable drive.
Facing 1st-and-goal with just under two minutes, the Patriots attempted to rush off-tackle twice, resulting in minimal gains down to the 2-yard line. With no timeouts and the clock running under one minute on third down, running back Travis Franklin took the direct snap and rushed into the Cedar Grove front seven, but was held for a gain of less than a yard.
Or so Cedar Grove thought.
An official on the goal line sprinted toward the spot of the ball while signaling a touchdown, leaving Saints defenders in disbelief. Replays clearly showed the runner short of the endzone by at least a yard, but a lack of video review allowed the call on the field to hold.
Touchdown, Sandy Creek.
With just 50 seconds remaining, Colson and Cedar Grove attempted to drive down the field, but a throw into double coverage resulted in the title-clinching interception by UNC commit Kaleb Cost.
Video of the seemingly incorrect judgment by the referee instantly went viral, appearing on several social media platforms and news outlets. While Sandy Creek celebrates, Cedar Grove remains stunned after a call that opened the door for the Saints’ fifth state championship in the last seven seasons.
