DUBLIN, Ga. (WTOC) – Friday night began as Toombs County’s first-ever Final Four appearance, and it ended in the Bulldogs winning their way to their first-ever state championship.
“They’re not champions because they won a football game tonight,” said head coach Buddy Martin. “They’re champions because of their character. And the championship character comes out when you’re able to get out and be out here in games like this. They’re a special group, and we’re going to continue doing what got us here.”
Led by Georgia State signee TJ Stanley, Toombs County entered their semifinal matchup against Dublin with more than a 30-point average margin of victory in the postseason.
From the beginning, the Bulldogs were in Dublin to shock the home team’s system. They finished off their opening drive with an Alex Scott touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, with Toombs leading 14-8, Stanley took advantage of a one-on-one matchup with Florida commit Lagonza Hayward, and at the break, the Bulldogs led it 21-8.
Coming out of the locker room, Dublin needed to spread it out being down two scores, but Toombs County’s defense stepped up time and time again, including a Hayden Roy sack.
In the fourth, Toombs needed only insurance, and insurance is exactly what they got. Justin Powell extended the Bulldogs’ lead with a 25-yard rushing touchdown.
The Bulldogs took it to Dublin all night long. 42-15 was the final score, and Toombs County will play for the school’s first state football championship.
But as the Dogs have said all year, nothing changes just because the games get bigger.
“I think your championship programs (prepare),” said Martin. “You’re preparing from day one, so it’s not something like ‘oh man we’re going to the state championship let’s change some things’. We’re going to continue to work on being the best version of ourselves we can be, the best men we can be every day. That’s the message we’ll continue to preach and continue to go after.”
Toombs County (12-1) will face Northeast (12-2) on Tuesday, December 17 at 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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