Batted conversion try lifts Peach County to AAA crown

By Todd Holcomb

For the AJC

For Luke Crowell, it might have been the final football play of his life. Colleges aren’t that interested in a 5-foot-8, 185-pound linebacker.

So with Peach County leading 13-12 and Gainesville going for two on the final snap of the Class AAA championship game Saturday night at the Georgia Dome, Crowell made a football memory of a lifetime when he knocked down a pass from Alabama-bound quarterback Blake Sims to Notre Dame-bound receiver Tai-ler Jones.

It clinched Peach County’s third state championship in five seasons, first since 2006.

“They had 9 [Jones] split out by himself, and I figured they would go to their best guy,’’ Crowell said. “So I cheated that way and batted it down.’’

For Peach County coach Chad Campbell, it was his first state title as a head coach. He and Lee Campbell, who won Class A titles at Hawkinsville in 2003 and 2004, are the only brothers to win Georgia High School Association state titles as head coaches.

For Gainesville, which had held the No. 1 ranking most of the season, it was another heartbreaking end. The Red Elephants are 0-for-6 in state championship games.

Peach County led Gainesville 10-0 entering the fourth quarter after dominating time of possession 24:53 to 11:07.

But Sims, who finished 14-of-29 passing for 205 yards, hit Jones on 49-yard touchdown pass with 10:56 left to make it 10-6. It came after linebacker Thomas Sprague forced a fumble, Peach County’s only turnover.

But the extra-point kick was wide.

With 7:00 left, Gainesville had another chance with a fourth-and-4 at the Peach County 27, but Crowell intercepted at the 21 and returned it to the Gainesville 30. Peach County drove for a Russ Evatt field goal and a 13-6 lead.

Gainesville’s final shot started from its 34 with 50 seconds left. Sims twice hit Jones (seven receptions, 142 yards) and had Gainesville at the Peach County 21 for the final play in regulation. Sims threw a bullet in the end zone to Michael Lorentz, making it 13-12. An extra point would have sent the game to overtime.

“We were a little shaky on our first extra point, and I didn’t want to try it,’’ Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. “I didn’t want to go overtime with them. I felt like they were running the ball too well. Looking back, you can second-guess yourself all the time.’’

Gainesville outgained Peach County 291-235, but Peach had three interceptions, two against Sims. Peach County’s Patrick Taylor was 12-for-18 for 169 yards. Jontavious Davis had two interceptions for Peach County.

Peach County 3-7-0-3 – 13

Gainesville 0-0-0-12 – 12

PC – Rustin Evatt 32 field goal

PC – Luke Crowell 9 run (Evatt kick)

G –Tai-ler Jones 49 pass from Blake Sims (kick failed)

PC – Evatt 23 field goal

G – Michael Lorentz 21 pass from Sims (pass failed)