For the first time since 2001, Greater Atlanta Christian is a region champion. The Spartans rode a stout defense and a balanced offense to a hard-earned 14-7 win over defending state champ Lovett. The win ends the Lions' 14-game region winning streak, six-game head-to-head winning streak and two-year reign atop 6-AA.
After taking the lead late in the second quarter, top-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian (9-0, 6-0) was in control for most of the second half until a big run by Lovett's Jay Harris gave the Lions life with about five minutes remaining. Breaking free down the sideline, Harris weaved his way 70 yards down to the Spartan 7-yard line, setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by Murphy Lee.
Soon after, a gusting wind blew a Greater Atlanta Christian punt back for a net of just 6 yards, and gave No. 3 Lovett (7-3, 6-1) a chance to tie the game in the waning minutes. But on fourth-and-10 from the 27, Spartan defensive back Micah Abernathy tipped a pass that eventually fell incomplete in a scrum of Lions receivers and GAC defenders.
It was fitting that the Spartans defense made the deciding play. Led by linebacker Tyler Cooksey, the unit held Lovett down most of the night, recording eight tackles for a loss.
Quarterback Davis Mills (16 of 23 passing, 167 yards, two touchdowns) and running back Jaelen Venable (22 carries, 89 yards) were the Spartans' offensive standouts.
After neither team penetrated beyond the opponent's 32-yard line for the better part of the first half, Greater Atlanta Christian broke through late in the second quarter.
Spurred by a third-down, 42-yard completion from Mills to Darius Slayton, the Spartans drove 67 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 6-yard pass from Mills to Justin Phan with 2:46 remaining.
Lovett moved to Spartans' 27-yard line on a couple of big passes to Will Geraghty before its most promising drive of the half fizzled.
GAC's second touchdown came midway through the third quarter on an 8-yard pass from Mills to Cooksey.
Willie Candler led Lovett, rushing 18 times for 35 yards and completing 16 of 27 passes for 139 yards.
