GISA AA final: Gatewood gets control, pulls away to win third straight

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          The last time Gatewood and Brentwood played, it was a tight game in which the game-winner was scored in the final two minutes.

          Gatewood eliminated such suspense earlier in the rematch, turning a 13-7 halftime lead into a three-score margin in the third quarter en route to a 34-14 win Friday night over Brentwood in the GISA Class AAA state title game at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium.

There was much less suspense for Gatewood and Jeff Ratliff in the Gators' win over Brentwood for the GISA Class AA state title.

Video: Michael A. Lough/The Sports Report of Central Georgia

          The Gators finished 12-1 after winning their third straight state title, while Brentwood finished 9-3 after its first title-game visit since 2009.

          Gatewood beat Briarwood 49-7 for last year’s title and Terrell Academy 51-17 in 2018. The Gators lost 38-21 to Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg in the Class AAA semis in 2017.

          Jayson Burner gave Gatewood the lead with a pair of field goals, and Bryce Johnson added a 70-yard TD run, Brentwood getting a short TD run to pull within 13-7, which is where the game sat at halftime.

          Johnson was at it again in the third quarter, scoring from 20 yards out a few minutes before breaking off a 67-yard run for a 27-7 lead heading to the fourth. The War Eagles got a touchdown pass to from McKinley Newton to Ben Tarbutton to cut into the lead almost midway through the fourth, but the Gators sealed it with Johnson’s pick-6 late.

          Gatewood QB Luke Haley reeled off a long run with two minutes left in the game for a 22-18 win over Brentwood for the region title last month.

Photo: Gatewood Schools