Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
If the rematch between Blessed Trinity and Westminster in Friday’s Class AAA championship game lives up to the first game, the crowd at the Georgia Dome should be in for a treat.
With that in mind, here are five things to watch when the Region 4-AAA rivals meet at 4:30 p.m. for all the marbles.
No. 1: Each team boasts a game-breaking running back.
Blessed Trinity’s Milton Shelton (1,806 yards, 27 touchdowns) and Westminster’s Zay Malcome (1,350 yards, 14 touchdowns) are two of the best in the state. Each one has the sort of game-breaking speed that can turn an average run into a long gain or a score. Malcome only carried eight times in the first meeting, something coach Gerry Romberg said won’t be an issue in the rematch.
“It seems like we’ve seen great running backs all through this stretch,” Westminster coach Gerry Romberg said. “I hope we’re prepared.”
No. 2: Turnovers may tell the tale
Romberg has watched his team become a takeaway machine down the stretch. The Wildcats are now plus-10 in the takeaway department.
“For us, we’ve got to create some turnovers,” Romberg said. “That’s going to be a key for us.”
No. 3: Will Blessed Trinity’s defense be challenged?
The Titans have not allowed more than two scores in a game all year. They gave up one touchdown in each of the last two weeks against Dawson County and defending champion Calhoun. In the semifinals the Titans stopped Calhoun four times inside the 10 to win the game.
Coach Tim McFarlin said defense remains one of the cornerstones of the program, along with the ability to run the ball (see No. 1) and the kicking game (see No. 4).
No. 4: Who has the best special teams?
Both teams have exceptional specialists. Westminster’s Blake Gillikin and Blessed Trinity’s Brook Hosea may be the two best kickers paired together in a championship game all weekend. Gillikin has a cannon for a leg and has committed to Penn State. Hosea, a junior, was chosen as the All-Region 4-AAA kicker. Gillikin was the all-region punter.
No. 5: Who played the toughest schedule?
Blessed Trinity has beaten Cook, Jefferson, Dawson County and defending champion Calhoun to reach the championship game. Westminster played Laney (Region 3-AAA champion) and Elbert County (quarterfinalist that lost to Calhoun in overtime) during the regular season and beat Southeast Bulloch, Callaway, Adairsville and Cedar Grove -- all on the road -- in the playoffs. Both teams are battle tested.
Here’s a brief capsule of the game, courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Daily:
Westminster vs. Blessed Trinity
When, where: 4:30 p.m. Friday, Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Records, rankings: Westminster is 10-4, the No. 3 seed from Region 4-AAA and unranked; Blessed Trinity is 13-0-1, the No. 1 seed from 4-AAA and No. 2.
Last meeting: Blessed Trinity won 24-10 on Oct. 16.
Three things to know: 1. This game is one of two rematches between region rivals in the finals (Clinch County vs. Irwin County is the other). Westminster won four consecutive road playoff games to reach the finals for the first time since 1978, when it won the Class AAA title. Westminster is 9-5 in its last 14 playoff games, all of which were on the road. Blessed Trinity, which began its program in 2001, is in the finals for the first time. Coach Tim McFarlin can become the 15th coach to win state titles with two schools (Roswell, 2006). 2. Westminster has been outgained in total offense for the season by about 100 yards but has outscored its opponents 451-255. The Wildcats are led by RB Zay Malcome (184 carries, 1,350 yards, 14 TDs) and QB Rankin Woley (722 yards passing, 494 yards rushing). Blake Gillikin is 13-for-23 on field goals, including a school-record 56-yarder in the quarterfinals. 3. Blessed Trinity LB Logan Craighead (138 total tackles) leads a defense that has not allowed more than 14 points in a game this season. The Titans' offense is driven by RB Milton Shelton (1,806 yards, 27 touchdowns rushing) and QB Conor Davis (1,392 yards, 15 TDs passing). Shelton rushed for 174 yards and Davis passed for 123 yards in the Titans' victory over Westminster in the regular season.
