HOMERVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - For high school football teams, it all starts in early August with two-a-days. The grind of fall camp sets the tone for the rest of the year. Teams work through District and Region play, some rivalry games, and if you're playing in December, you are that much closer to a State Championship.
Clinch County won the A State Championship last season, on Friday, they hosted McIntosh County Academy with the goal of playing for another title. The visiting Bucs struck first, scoring on a touchdown from JP Palmer. Clinch County took the lead before halftime off a Charles McClelland touchdown, followed by a two point conversion.
The second half belonged to McIntosh however, as the Bucs rolled to a 24-8 win.
"We never really gained momentum in this game," said head coach Jim Dickerson. "Momentum is big in football and we never really made a play to put momentum on our side. We were kind of in a haze and felt like we were playing with a backpack on our back on that running up the hill and you it's, we're not used to this. I'm proud of these kids, they've done a lot of special things and we didn't give up until the end."
The Valdosta Wildcats also remained in the hunt Friday, as they played in their first State Semifinal game since 2003. The Cats faced off at Dalton High, the #1 team in AAAAAA football.
The Cats struck first, scoring in the second quarter off a Tyler Berrian touchdown pass to Devonnsha Maxwell, and they didn't look back, winning 27-6.
Valdosta will play for the AAAAAA State Championship next weekend at the Georgia Dome, where they'll face Tucker Friday at 8:00.
