PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

Sports

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

Gainesville and Thomas County Central battled on Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Class 5A state football championship.

Thomas County Central running back Deuce Lawrence (2) runs against Gainesville defensive back Syr Hunter (22) during the first half of a Class 5A championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Thomas County Central running back Deuce Lawrence (2) celebrates with offensive lineman Zion Garlington (73) after Lawrence scored during the first half of a Class 5A championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers and defensive lineman Isaac Andrews (11) celebrate their 62-21 win over Gainesville in a Class 5A championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Thomas County Central fans celebrate their touchdown against Gainesville during the first half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett reacts to a referees call against the Red Elephants during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Red Elephant fans watch the first half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central free safety Kobe Carnage (center) celebrates his interception over Gainesville wide receiver Philip Williams (left) during the first half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville running back Dwight Lewis carries the ball for a short gain in yardage during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central tight end Gary Pringle (5) scores on a receiving touchdown during the first half against Gainesville of the Class 5A championship game, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Thomas County Central tight end Gary Pringle (5) celebrates after scoring a receiving touchdown during the first half of a Class 5A championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets beat the Gainesville Red Elephants 62-21 to win their Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central defensive lineman Triston Flounoy (from left), wide receiver DK Smith and linebacker Omari Stephenson celebrate with their Class 5A championship trophy on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central linebacker Omari Stephenson kisses the Yellow Jackets’ Class 5A championship trophy on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets beat the Gainesville Red Elephants 62-21 to win their Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central quarterback Jaylen Johnson runs the ball for yardage against Gainesville during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers is all smiles after beating Gainesville 62-21 in a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers (left) and Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett shake hands at the end of their Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers gestures for the fans to get loud during the final minutes of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (right) scores on a quarterback keeper late in the second half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers (center) gives instructions from the sidelines during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central free safety Kobe Carnage (center) maneuvers the ball downfield against Gainesville during the second half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central running back Deuce Lawrence carries the ball against Gainesville during the second half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central running back Jordan McNeil (left) outruns Gainesville linebacker Demari Cheeks to score a touchdown during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers receives his Class 5A championship trophy after beating Gainesville 62-21 on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets beat the Gainesville Red Elephants 62-21 to win their Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers kisses his Class 5A championship trophy after beating Gainesville 62-21 on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets beat the Gainesville Red Elephants 62-21 to win their Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central free safety Kobe Carnage (right) intercepts a pass intended for Gainesville wide receiver Philip Williams during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville linebacker Xavier Griffin (right) tips a pass from Thomas County Central quarterback Jaylen Johnson during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville wide receiver Legend Wilmont carries the ball against Thomas County Central during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central running back Deuce Lawrence scores for the Yellow Jackets during the first half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central head coach Justin Rogers reacts to a call against the Yellow Jackets during the first half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville wide receiver Cameron James carries the ball into the end zone against Thomas County Central during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett calls a play to his Red Elephants during the first half of a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Thomas County Central free safety Kobe Carnage (bottom) intercepts a pass intended for Gainesville wide receiver Philip Williams during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville defensive linemen Kadin Fossung (left) and Marshall Leonard make a tackle on Thomas County quarterback Jaylen Johnson during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (left) passes against Thomas County Central during a Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thomas County Central running back Deuce Lawrence (2) runs against Gainesville defensive back Syr Hunter (22) during the first half of a Class 5A championship game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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