Class 3A Blog: Former champions Sandy Creek, Jefferson headed to 'The Benz'

The first-ever meeting between the storied perennial playoff powers Jefferson and Sandy Creek will match together programs that know what it means to win a state title.

Interestingly, both Jefferson and Sandy Creek won state championships in 2012 when the Dragons were in Class 2A and Sandy Creek was in Class 4A. It was Jefferson’s only title while it marked the third for Sandy Creek in four seasons. Chip Walker was the coach for Sandy Creek that season while legendary coach T. McFerrin brough Jefferson its only title.

Sandy Creek began playing football in 1992 and were led to titles by Chip Walker (2009, 2010 and 2012) while Brett Garvin led the Patriots to the 2022 championship victory. Jefferson has been playing football since 1947 and featured in just five title games before this season.

Sandy Creek (14-0, 8-0) features a two-headed monster with the combination of junior quarterback Caleb Hill and senior West Virginia-commit running back Amari Latimer. That combo could help the Patriots to the program’s fifth state title for a program that began playing football in 1992. The Patriots last won in 2022 in Brett Garvin’s last season as head coach before Smiley took over. Hill is 142-of-221 passing for 2,353 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 398 yards and eight touchdowns. Latimer has 230 carries for 2,323 yards and 42 of the team’s 53 rushing touchdowns. Of Hill’s 23 passing touchdowns, four went to senior Avohn Florence, four to Latimer and three each to junior Corey Hadley Jr. and senior Alijah Ferrell. Junior linebacker JT Justin anchors the defense with 40 solo tackles, 40 assists and 27 tackles for loss. Memphis-signee Edge Evan Harvey adds 20 solo, 50 assisted and 16 tackles for loss.

Runner-up Jefferson (13-1, 5-0) is trying for the program’s second state title and first since 2012 under legendary head coach, the late T. McFerrin, who passed away in July. The Dragons have been to five state title games – 1975, 1977, 2012, 2020 and 2024 -- and won just one. Jefferson does its offensive damage on the ground led by senior quarterback Colton Grant and senior back Darren Pinkard, who also has 77 tackles with 17 tackles for loss on defense. Grant, who is 60-of-103 passing for 886 yards and eight touchdowns, has 90 carries for 422 yards and 12 touchdowns. Pinkard adds 85 carries for 571 yards and 10 touchdowns. Freshman CJ Hays has scored eight rushing touchdowns on 118 carries. Senior Dalton Dye has 13 catches for 310 yards and six touchdowns while senior Logan Edmunds has 25 catches for 487 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, junior Dylan Berardinelli (116 total tackles, 11 TFL) and junior Eli Primm (100 total, 3 TFL) are anchors.

The teams will take the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for the 3A state championship which will be aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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