Jefferson football is headed back to Mercedes Benz Stadium for a second straight year.
The Dragons defeated a previously undefeated West Laurens, 17-13, in the semifinals to punch their ticket.
Jefferson, led by fourth-year head coach Travis Noland, is coming into the matchup ranked No. 20 in the state with a 13-1 record and four straight Region 8 titles.
It will face Georgia’s No. 17 ranked Sandy Creek (14-0) for the first time ever, also back-to-back title winners in Region 2 under third-year head coach Darius Smiley.
The Patriots are led by junior quarterback Caleb Hill, who has thrown 142 completions (on 221 attempts) for 2,353 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also added 398 yards on the ground for 8 more scores.
Their run game is strong, led by senior running back/linebacker Amari Latimer with 230 touches for 2,323 yards and 42 touchdowns. He’s recorded 14 games with over 100 rushing yards, and his longest run at 90 yards.
The receiving corps feature five players nearing 400 yards apiece between Latimer, junior wide receiver/corner back Rylan White, senior Alijah Ferrell, senior wide receiver Avohn Florence and junior wide receiver/corner back Khaylin Stevenson.
Sandy Creek has 53 receiving and 24 rushing touchdowns.
On defense, junior defensive end/linebacker JT Austin has recorded 16 sacks and has combined for 26 quarterback hurries with senior defensive end/linebacker/tight end Evan Harvey. Senior cornerback/strong safety Chase Usher, junior wide receiver/cornerback Corey Hadley Jr. and sophomore cornerback/wide receiver Nathan Holston have combined for 6 interceptions.
Usher has also blocked a field goal and caused 3 fumbles, while junior defensive end/tight end Sheldon Bliss caused 10 more fumbles himself.
Sandy Creek is outscoring its opponents 573-146 and has recorded three shutouts, one of those in the quarterfinals over Douglass.
The Dragons are led by senior quarterback Colton Grant, who has thrown 60 completions (on 103 attempts) for 886 yards, 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He’s also added 422 yards on the ground for 12 more scores.
Their run game is led by senior tight end/linebacker Darren Pinkard with 571 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver/linebacker Eli Primm adds another 330 yards and 5 touchdowns, while freshman running back CJ Hays adds 833 yards and 8 touchdowns across 8 games — he came in at the same time junior running back/linebacker Max Brown went out with an MPFL tear during Week 5.
The receiving corps are led by senior wide receivers Dalton Dye and Logan Edmunds with 797 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jefferson has 12 receiving and 46 rushing touchdowns.
On defense, Primm has 100 tackles. Junior running back/linebacker Dylan and cornerback Jacob Berardinelli combine for 212 tackles, and senior free safety/wide receiver Mack Gaddis adds another 73 himself. Pinkard has 6 sacks and 2 interceptions, and while junior wide receiver/free safety Shyne Parham and senior cornerback/wide receiver Chance Payne combine for 6 interceptions.
Jefferson is outscoring its opponents 454-172, 161 of those points in the playoffs alone. It’s one loss was to 2024 Class 4A state champion North Oconee, who lost 23-20 to Marist in the quarterfinals this season.
Jefferson and Sandy Creek will play on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 4:15 p.m. for the Class 3A state title in Atlanta.
Sandy Creek’s last ring was won in 2022, and the Patriots have four total, including 2012, 2010 and 2009. They have never made it to the finals and lost.
Jefferson’s last ring was won in 2012. The Dragons fell runner-up in 2020 and 2024.
