Lyons, GA – December 20, 2024 | Head Coach Buddy Martin | Article by Matt Lynn
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On Tuesday afternoon, the Toombs County Bulldogs cemented their place in history by defeating the Northeast Raiders 38-18 to claim the Class A Division 1 State Championship. In front of a sea of red and white-clad fans in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Bulldogs delivered a dominant performance to secure their first football state title.
A Back-and-Forth Start
The game began with Northeast striking first on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 8:48 left in the opening quarter. Hayden Roy made a key play by blocking the extra point, keeping the Raiders’ lead at 6-0—the only lead they would hold all game.
The Bulldogs wasted no time responding. On their next drive, Toombs marched 81 yards in just six plays, capped by a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback TJ Stanley to senior wide receiver LaGonza Hayward. Alex Otero added the extra point, giving Toombs a 7-6 lead with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter.
Big Plays Set the Tone
After trading possessions, Toombs took over deep in their own territory at the 7-yard line. The Bulldogs put together an electrifying 93-yard drive, punctuated by a 47-yard touchdown strike from Stanley to Game MVP Mike Polke, extending their lead to 14-6 with 8:28 left in the half.
Northeast fought back, going 49 yards in six plays and scoring on a 3-yard pass to pull within 14-12. But Polke immediately stole the momentum. Fielding the ensuing kickoff at the 8-yard line, Polke sprinted 92 yards untouched for a touchdown, igniting the Toombs crowd and pushing the lead to 21-12.
With time winding down in the half, Otero connected on a critical 25-yard field goal, sending the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 24-12 advantage.
Defensive Resilience and Fourth-Quarter Domination
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle as both teams struggled to gain traction. Northeast finally found the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown run, but Roy came through once again, blocking his second kick of the game to keep the Bulldogs ahead 24-18 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Toombs County shifted into high gear. A pivotal fourth-down stop by the Red Bullet defense swung the momentum fully in Toombs’ favor. The offense capitalized, with Justin Powell powering his way into the end zone, followed by a Stanley rushing touchdown to seal the victory.
A Historic Moment for Toombs County
With the final whistle, the Bulldogs celebrated a 38-18 win and the program’s first-ever state championship. The victory was a testament to the team’s grit, talent, and determination, guided by Head Coach Buddy Martin and his staff.
The Toombs County faithful, who packed the stands throughout the season, were once again a driving force, creating a home-field atmosphere in Atlanta.
Congratulations to the Bulldogs on their historic achievement, and to the Toombs County community for their unwavering support. This is more than a championship—it’s a legacy for the ages.
