PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

Sports

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

Sandy Creek completed a perfect 15-0 season with a 27-7 victory over Jefferson on Wednesday night in the Class 3A state championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots pose for pictures with their Class 3A state championship trophy Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson defensive end Bo Parker (center) reacts to a recovered fumble by the Dragons during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots pose for pictures with their Class 3A state championship trophy Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek running back Amari Latimer holds his Class 3A state championship trophy after beating Jefferson 27-7 Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson head coach Travis Noland (left), wide receiver Eli Primm (second from left), quarterback Colton Grant (center), defensive tackle Michael Pauley (second from right) and tight end Darren Pinkard (right) receive their second place Class 3A state championship trophy Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek wide receiver Nathan Holston celebrates his team’s win over Sandy Creek in a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson wide receiver Logan Edmunds is brought down by the Sandy Creek defense on a run play during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek head coach Darius Smiley (right) shakes hands with Jefferson head coach Travis Noland after their Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots pose for pictures with their Class 3A state championship trophy Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek running back Amari Latimer (left) is brought down within yards of the goal line by Jefferson outside linebacker Griffin Drake in the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek head coach Darius Smiley watches his team play during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots players celebrate their 27-7 win over Jefferson during in a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek running back Amari Latimer runs the ball into the end zone to score against Jefferson in the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek running back Amari Latimer (center) breaks a tackle by Jefferson defensive back Shyne Parham (left) and middle linebacker Eli Primm (right) during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek wide receiver Nathan Holston (left) catches a pass under pressure from Jefferson cornerback Jacob Berardinelli (right) on a play was ruled incomplete during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson Dragons cheerleaders react to a play during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek cornerback Nathan Holston (bottom left) brings down Jefferson outside linebacker/tight end Darren Pinkard (bottom right) on a run play during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek safety Austin Nunez sacks Jefferson quarterback Colton Grant during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson tight end Darren Pinkard is unable to hold onto the ball when hit by Sandy Creek safety Rod Smith Jr. during the second half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson defensive back Shyne Parham (left) and teammates react to recovering a fumbled Sandy Creek ball during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek running back Amari Latimer celebrates his touchdown in the end zone during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek quarterback Caleb Hill carries the ball for a short gain against Jefferson during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

A Jefferson Dragons fans cheers during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson defensive end Jj Parker sacks Sandy Creek quarterback Caleb Hill during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Jefferson quarterback Colton Grant makes the handoff to Jefferson tight end Darren Pinkard during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Sandy Creek running back Amari Latimer carries the ball for a touchdown scoring the games first points during the first half of a Class 3A state championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots pose for pictures with their Class 3A state championship trophy Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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