Daily Dive: Stand out players from day one of the state championships

Day one of the 2025 GHSA football championships was one to remember. Two games were decided by a total of seven points, and both came down to the wire. All four teams had standout players who delivered huge performances.

For Bowdon, quarterback Josh Hopkins had a game for the ages. He threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns while adding 101 rushing yards. His most impressive play came with the game on the line. On third-and-13, Hopkins found Berkley Perkins for the go-ahead touchdown that ultimately proved to be the game-winner.

On the other side of the field, Kelby Glaze was a problem for Bowdon for all 48 minutes. He carried the ball 20 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns, nearly pushing the Red Devils to a championship. His biggest run came with 5:34 left in the game. Trailing 28-25, Glaze broke free for an 84-yard touchdown to give Lincoln County a 31-28 lead late.

In the second game, Cayden Benson had a huge performance to deliver head coach Maurice Dixon his first championship. Benson finished with 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with 161 passing yards and another score. His two rushing touchdowns were the most impressive, as runs of 49 and 45 yards proved to be the difference in the game.

Stephen Cannon led the charge for Benedictine. The Texas Tech signee threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another score. With the team unable to run the ball effectively, Cannon kept the Cadets in the game and nearly led a comeback, but they came up one possession short.

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