2020 State Champions: Powerhouse Programs Add To Trophy Case

It wasn’t the 2020 high school football season we all wanted, but we made it through after the most unpredictable year we’ve ever seen. It was far from a normal season with multiple programs having to miss games throughout the year, but in the end, the GHSA put together a season and were able to name champions after a fantastic final three days of games. The state championships were played at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta over a three year period where some of the state’s top programs continued their winning traditions. Here are the programs who won state championships in 2020... &nbsp; <strong>Class A Private: Prince Avenue Christian</strong> The Wolverines brought home their first ever state championship thanks for 5-star QB [player_tooltip player_id="33652" first="Brock" last="Vandagriff"] and his multiple weapons on offense. Prince Avenue’s passing attack was unstoppable all season, and their defense got better and better each week with the emergence of senior defensive lineman BJ Green. Vandagriff was outstanding all season and put up another 5-star performance against a tough Trinity Christian team, leading his team to a 41-21 state championship victory. &nbsp; <strong>Class A Public: Irwin County</strong> The Indians are once again state champions after their tough 27-19 win over Brooks County. The two small county schools are tough programs who play with a tremendous around of pride. It was a tough battle until the end where the Indians held off the Brooks County rushing attack for the 8-point victory. After two early losses,Irwin County won 13 of their final 14 games including the final seven to win the title. &nbsp; <strong>Class AA: Callaway Cavaliers</strong> They don’t get any better than Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins, and now Callaway has their state title. They’re a program that always turn out talent, but a year after losing star running back Tank Bigsby to Auburn, Wiggins put together his best coaching performance, leading the Cavaliers to a 12-1record and a state championship win over Fitzgerald. Defensive back Cam Smith is a 2022 prospect who was brilliant in the playoffs, picking off four passes with two of them coming in the state championship game. 2022 WR Carlos Billingslea is another prospect to know who had a big state championship game. &nbsp; <strong>Class AAA: Pierce County</strong> The Bears won an absolute thriller against Oconee County in OT 13-7 for the AAA title. IT was an incredible season for the 13-1 Bears whose only loss came to Fitzgerald who would play in the AA title. Senior QB Jermaine Brewton was a reliable dual-threat QB all season who routinely kept defenses off balance. He finished the year with 17 passing TDs and 5 rushing TDs. It was the Bears’ defense that led them the entire way, shutting out four opponents on the year and giving up 20+ points just once. &nbsp; <strong>Class AAAA: Marist</strong> The Marist Eagles once again prove why they are one of the best, most consistent programs in the state. They run the triple option to perfection and had a historic defense this fall, shutting out seven opponents during the season. They are a fast, well coached team with a winning mentality year after year. They beat a more talented Jefferson team for the championship and held their high-powered offense to just 14 points. Marist won the game 30-14 and added another trophy to al already crowded trophy case. &nbsp; <strong>Class AAAAA: Warner Robins</strong> The Demons are a team that played better and better as the season went along. Another historic program in middle Georgia, the Demons went 13-1 on the season with their only loss coming against powerhouse Lee County in 6A. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="33713" first="Jalen" last="Addie"] was very good throughout the playoffs, showing playmaking ability, poise, and decision making. Addie led the Demons to an incredibly impressive 62-28 win over a very good Cartersville defense. The Demons were very good on defense as well this fall led by senior linebacker Ahmad Walker, a Liberty signee, and 2023 star defensive end Vic Burley. &nbsp; <strong>Class AAAAAA: Buford</strong> Once again, the Buford Wolves are state champions. The two-quarterback system between 2022 QB Ashton Daniels and 2023 QB Dylan Wittke proves to be successful as the Wolves held on to beat Lee County 34-31 in overtime. 2022 running back Victor Venn was very good in the playoffs and helped lead the Wolves to victory. The Wolves were well coached and outstanding once again on defense led by junior safety [player_tooltip player_id="33896" first="Jake" last="Pope"] who forced a Lee County fumble in overtime that sealed the victory. The Wolves went 13-1 on the season with their lone loss coming to 7A region champion North Cobb in the season opener. 13 wins later, the Wolves are state champions once again. &nbsp; <strong>Class AAAAAAA: Grayson</strong> The Rams were the heavy favorite to win the 7A state championship coming into the season, and they exceeded expectations, not only winning the highest classification in Georgia, but becoming one of the top overall teams in the country. The Rams did everything well this season and were almost impossible to stop on offense thanks to four-star running back [player_tooltip player_id="33678" first="Phil" last="Mafah"] and four-star QB Jake Garcia. Their defense was outstanding as well all season. The Rams ran through the 2020 season with ease, easily defeating Collins Hill in the state championship by an 38-14 win. The 2020 Rams will go down as one of the best teams in Georgia high school football history. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;