McEachern found itself in familiar territory and decided to come out with the same result as one year ago. The Indians — the sitting Division 4 champions held serve to win the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Flag Football Classic 7-on-7 tournament at West Forsyth Wednesday.
And a game-winning touchdown catch by Amari George from Ava Couzens on a double-pass sealed the victory 10-8 victory against Pope in the championship. But offense, according to McEachern head coach Jake Burgdorf, was not what won this game.
“This is such an offensive game,” said Burgdorf. “But when you have got girls who understand their defensive responsibility and you are consistent pulling flags and you are always in the right spot defensively, it makes it easier to win games.”
The Indians went undefeated through the morning pool play with victories against Pope 13-12, Hughes 12-5 and Milton 28-0 to take the No. 2 seed in the playoff bracket. The Indians opened with a 19-2 drubbing of Woodstock and an 18-0 blanking of Lithia Springs. Against Columbus in the semifinals, the Indians downed the Blue Jackets 20-11 setting up a championship match against Pope.
“Pope is a great team and the coach does a wonderful job,” Burgdorf said. “He always has great schemes. The last couple of times we played Pope in these situations, we have not come out on top. And a lot of credit to them. I am just excited that we found a way to get it done today.”
McEachern enters the season as the outright favorite in the state’s highest class and their Summer schedule has rivaled any other program in the state, in terms of scheduling and production.
“We are coming off the Shaq Tournament (in Henry County) last week, which we won,” Burgdorf said. “And its hot today, but I knew we are built for these moments because we practice in this type of heat every day. We practice from Noon to 2 p.m. in the heat and then hit the weight room.”
Pool Play Results
West Forsyth Field
POD A
McEachern 13, Pope 12
Hughes 31, West Forsyth I 2
Milton 25, West Forsyth 0
McEachern 12, Hughes 5
Pope 28, Hughes 0
McEachern 28, Milton 0
Pope 14, Milton 12
Hughes 5, Milton 2
Pope 30, West Forsyth 0
Midway Upper Field
POD B
Therrell 11, West Forsyth II 2
Columbus 16, Woodstock 9
Lithia Springs 4, Woodstock 4
Griffin 10, Therrell 2
Griffin 12, West Forsyth II 8
Columbus18, Lithia Springs 0
Columbus 15, Therrell 6
Lithia Springs 5, Therrell 2
Griffin 12, Woodstock 12
West Forsyth II 9, Lithia Springs 8
Columbus 11, Griffin 6
Midway Lower Field
POD C
Pacelli 19, North Paulding 0
North Forsyth 21, Northgate 0
Pacelli 18, Buford 7
Northgate 7, Chattahoochee 4
Buford 8, North Paulding 8
Chattahoochee 10, North Forsyth 3
Northgate 14, North Paulding 3
Pacelli 15, West Forsyth 0
Buford 19, Northgate 2
Pacelli 20, Chattahoochee 0
North Forsyth 20, Buford 9
Chattahoochee 5, North Paulding 5
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