Pierce County tops Rockmart in three overtimes: Live score updates, Georgia 2A football state championship
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – This Georgia Class 2A state championship showdown between Rockmart and Pierce County is part of the 2023 Georgia high school football championships, which will feature nine games over three days at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Stay with SBLive Georgia for reports from this state championship game and others as we cover all eight title games in the Peach State this week.
Below is our Live Update Feed created and updated as the contest progresses. Read from the bottom up to follow the action chronologically from beginning to end.
Live Updates:
FINAL 3OT: PIERCE COUNTY 48, ROCKMART 45
OT: PIERCE COUNTY 48, ROCKMART 45
- TOUCHDOWN! McGatha goes the final yard for the game-winning score.
- McGatha turns the corner and reaches for the pylon. After an initial touchdown signal, it is over ruled by replay. Second and goal.
- McGatha runs for seven down to the eight. The Bears can win the game with a touchdown.
- FIELD GOAL! Rockmart settles for a 25-yard field goal by Jose Alegria.
- Another incompletion brings up fourth and seven.
- Thompson's throw to the right flat to Anderson is incomplete. Third down
- Rockmart starts first and Davis runs for three.
- TOUCHDOWN! Video replay confirms that Washington scored. The pressure pack extra-point kick is also good. We will go to a third overtime after a two minute intermission.
- Played has stopped as Washington's run is being reviewed to see if he crossed the goal line.
- Washington runs out of the wildcat and gets stopped inside the one. Second down.
- Thompson scrambles for a first down at the Bear two.
- Thompson finds Anderson on the right sideline for a gain of seven. It's third and three from the eight.
- Rockmart goes to the air on first down, but the pass falls incomplete.
- TOUCHDOWN! The Bears go for it and Sloan takes to the house out of the wildcat. The kick is good and Pierce County is back on top.
- McGatha bulls down to the one. The Bears will call a timeout to decide between a field goal and going for the TD.
- No gain on second down. Third and goal from the three.
- Rockmart's Nate Davis stops McGatha for a one-yard loss. Second and goal form the four.
- McGatha has a first down at the three.
- McGatha keeps plowing ahead. He gains eight on first down.
- Pierce County will have the ball first in this second overtime period.
- TOUCHDOWN! McGatha answers with a three-yard TD run. The kick is good and we'll go to a second overtime after a two-minute intermission.
- McGatha spins to the three. It's second down.
- McGatha gets to right edge and runs for a first down at the five.
- Sloan takes a direct snap and absorbs a huge hit after a one-yard gain. We have an injury stoppage for a Rockmart player. Second down coming up.
- TOUCHDOWN! Washington powers for the four-yard touchdown run. The kick is good and the Yellowjackets have their first lead of the game.
- Thompson completes to Anderson again for a first down. Thompson may have scored but he slipped down at the four.
- Thompson completes a throw to Anderson for six. Third and four at the nine.
- Thompson's first down pass is high and incomplete in the end zone.
- Pierce County won the toss and elected to play defense first.
END 4Q: PIERCE COUNTY 28, ROCKMART 28
- A coin toss will determine which team gets the ball first. Both teams will get a possession starting at the 15.
4Q: PIERCE COUNTY 28, ROCKMART 28
- The kick is blocked and we are going to overtime.
- Pierce County changes its mind and sends sophomore Garrett Stevenson out for a potential game-winning 49-yard field goal attempt. Before the kick, however, Rockmart will ice him with another timeout.
- No gain. Pierce County calls its final timeout. Pierce County is lining up for potential Hail Mary play. Rockmart calls time, still with five seconds left.
- On second three from the 37, McGatha gains five. Only 15-second left.
- McGatha runs to the Rockmart 49 for a first down.
- McGatha is driven back for a loss. Third and three with less than a minute on the clock.
- McGatha sweeps out to the 48. Second down.
- Sloan takes the punt at the 30 and returns it to the 14 with 1:59 left.
- Thompson is tackled for a three-yard loss. Pierce County calls timeout with 2:10 left in the quarter as Rockmart prepares to punt.
- Brent Washington produces some nice YAC after a short reception. It's third and 12.
- Sloan makes another huge defensive play, sacking Thompson for a loss of 15.
- After a nine-yard pass play, Turner gains one for a first down. Under four minutes to play.
- The Bears punt and Turner has a short return to the Yellowjackets 26. With 5:01 Rockmart is hunting for its first lead of the game.
- On a big third and six from the Pierce County 41, McGatha is dropped for a one-yard loss.
- TOUCHDOWN! Thompson creates more magic, dancing through defenders for an 11-yard score. The kick is good and we have one more tie with 7:37 to play.
- Thompson races for another first down. It's and first and 10 at the 11 for Rockmart. Pierce County stops the clock with 7:44 remaining.
- On second and seven, Thompson makes a first down throw to Davis. 8:17 left and the Jackets are driving.
- The Yellowjackets convert the first down and then Thompson runs for a dozen and another first down. First down at the Pierce County 38.
- Thompson floats a deep ball down the middle and Pierce County is called for pass interference. The 15 yards makes it third and 3. We have another injury timeout with 9:15 remaining.
- Sloan is doing it on both sides of the ball as he sacks Thompson. It's third and 18.
- Thompson takes off for a first down run out to the 41. 10:20 left.
- Washington pushes out past the 25 for a first down.
- After a delay call, Turner makes a grab to bring up second and four.
- Rockmart will start at its own 15 after the kickoff. There is 11:43 left.
- TOUCHDOWN! On the second play of the final quarter, Carson Sloan makes a brilliant leaping catch at the goal-line and falls into the end zone, as Pierce County leads once again.
END 3Q: PIERCE COUNTY 21, ROCKMART 21
(All photos by Colin Hubbard)
3Q: PIERCE COUNTY 21, ROCKMART 21
- The officials change their mind and there will not be an untimed down.
- On a second and seven play, McGatha takes a deep shot and is rewarded with a pass interference call. We will have an untimed down as the third quarter clock has expired.
- Rockmart has thrown the challenge flag, claiming the ball came out before the penalty. It is not, however, a reviewable play. The call will stand.
- An apparent fumble and recovery by Rockmart is reversed by a face mask penalty. Pierce County has a first down.
- The Bears have a third five as we break for an injury with 1:15 to play in the third quarter.
- TURNOVER! An errant snap gets slapped all the way back to the 32. Both teams had a chance to recover before Pierce County finally collects it.
- Brent Washington bangs his way down to three. Second down.
- Pierce County is forced to punt and Anderson has a big return, of 54-yards. A late hit at the end makes it first and goal at the seven.
- Missed opportunity. McGatha overthrows a wide open Jones Herin for what would have been an easy touchdown. Now third and eight with 3:20 to go in the quarter.
- A touchback sets-up Pierce County at its own 20.
- TOUCHDOWN! Pierce County loses track of JD Davis and Thompson finds him for an easy 62-yard pitch and catch. We're tied once again after a successful PAT.
- Thompson goes to the air and finds Anderson for a gain to the 38.
- With 5:28 remaining in the third quarter, Rockmart will start its next possession at its own 21.
- TOUCHDOWN! On third down, Carson Sloan beats his man up top and McGatha hits him in stride for a 66-yard touchdown strike. Kick is good and the Bears are back in front.
- McGatha with a big first down run of 13. First down at the 30.
- The punt rolls out of bounds at the 17. Pierce County will start its next possession there. 7:46 left i the third quarter.
- Thompson is dropped for a big sack on third down by Elijah Howard.
- Turner fields the punt at his own 39 and returns out past midfield. The Yellowjackets will start the first drive of the second half at the Pierce County 48.
- The Rockmart defense starts strong and forces a three and out.
- Pierce County takes the second half kickoff and will start at its own 21.
HALF: PIERCE COUNTY 14, ROCKMART 14
2Q: PIERCE COUNTY 14, ROCKMART 14
- McGaffa crosses the 30 with his 23rd rushing attempt of the game. Pierce County allows the clock to expire to bring the first half to an end.
- Joe Drew returns the kickoff to the 23.
- TOUCHDOWN! Thompson delivers a goal-line strike to Tristan Anderson for the score. The kick is good and we are tied with 42 seconds left in the first half.
- Thompson finds Turner on a slant. He runs for a first down and then has his helmet ripped off by a face mask foul. It's girst and goal at the seven with 47-seconds left in the half.
- Rockmart has had two fales starts in the last three attempts. It's second and 20.
- Thompson returns with 56 seconds left in the half.
- Davis runs again and is face mask is grabbed. The Jackets are down to the 23.
- JD Davis takes the snap at QB and runs for 14.
- Thompson appears to be fine and walks off the field under his own power.
- Thompson throws incomplete and takes a huge shot in the chest area from Campbell Strickland. The clock is stopped for an injury timeout.
- Pierce County punts it away and the ball was fair caught at the Yellowjacket 48. 1:24 to go.
- The Jackets get a stop and call time out again.
- Pierce County keeps the ball on the ground with McGatha. It's third and five and we have a timeout with 1:35 to play in the half.
- The next punt rolls down at the 12, so the penalty costs Rockmart 11 yards.
- The punt is touched down at the one, but an illegal formation call will force the Jackets to kick again.
- The Jackets face a big third down play and cannot connect on a pass play. They will punt with 2:57 left in the half.
- Thompson slithers through an opening on a QB draw and gains 23 yards, down to the Pierce County 45.
- JD Davis appeared trapped for a 10-yard loss but escapes to get seven back. Second and 13.
- Thompson takes a deep shot to Tristan Anderson and Pierce County is called for pass interference. First down Rockmart at their own 35.
- Rockmart returns the kickoff out to the 21. That's where the Yellowjackets will get underway.
- TOUCHDOWN! McGatha finds a gapping hole and runs 42-yards untouched. Kick is good. The Bears are back in front with 5:56 left in the half.
- McGatha runs again. This time for eight. Pierce County is in Rockmart territory.
- The Bears take another deep shot, but throw is too long. Second down with 6:09 left.
- McGatha converts with a tough run out to the 49. The drive continues.
- After two more runs, McGatha drops back to pass, pulls it down and is stopped two-yards short of a first down. The Bears are lined up to go before calling timeout with 6:58 to play in the quarter.
- On third down, McGatha runs to 30 for a first down.
- After a replay review, the ball was ruled to have been caught in the end zone for a touchback. This negates the penalty and puts Pierce County at the 20.
- Nigel Brown decides to bring the kickoff out of the end zone and is dropped at the eight. Making it worse, a block in the back call, sends the Bears back to the four.
- TOUCHDOWN! Thompson rolls right, cuts back left and shows his speed with a 63-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. Kick is good and we are tied with 11:47 left in the half.
END 1Q: PIERCE COUNTY 7, ROCKMART 0
1Q: PIERCE COUNTY 7, ROCKMART 0
- Thompson runs for a yard on first down. That will be the final play of the first quarter.
- Rockmart gets a defensive stop and Pierce County punts. It goes out at the Rockmart 36.
- McGatha pounds out five yards on first down.
- The Yellowjackets are forced to punt again. The ball is fair caught at the Bears 22. 2:47 left in the opening quarter.
- Brent Washington makes a first down out to the 32 for Rockmart.
- The kickoff reaches the end zone for a touchback.
- TOUCHDOWN! McGatha pushes through a tackle and get in the end zone. Kick is good. There is 4:44 left in the first quarter.
- McGatha pushes to the one. Fourth and goal.
- After a short pass to Jones Herrin, it's third and goal from the three.
- McGatha does it with his legs, running for a first down at the 10. First and goal.
- Big Play! Quarterback Caden McGatha delivers a beautiful, over the shoulder deep ball to Carson Sloan. The Bears are in the red zone.
- The drive stalls near the 30 and Rockmart punts it away. Pierce County starts at its own 44.
- Rockmart is pinned inside its own 10 on the opening kickoff. We're underway.
- QB Calliyon Thompson connects with Zyion McCrary for a 25-yard passing play to get the Yellowjackets moving.
ROCKMART VS. PIERCE COUNTY
- Pierce count is in white pants and jerseys with black numbers with black helmets with gold decals.
- Pierce County is wearing silver pants with blue and white stripes, blue jerseys with white numbers and silver helments with blue and white stripes and blue decals.
- We are approximately 30 minutes from kickoff.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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