Carver-Columbus repeats as state champion in first year under Jarvis Jones
Jarvis Jones and the Carver-Columbus coaching staff made a statement Tuesday before the Class 2A state championship even began.
The coaches led the Tigers out of the tunnel at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in matching camouflage hunting bibs, signifying their postseason mantra.
“We’ve been rocking the camouflage all playoffs because our theme has been, ‘It’s hunting season,’” Carver offensive coordinator Antwon Young said.
Jones and the staff knew the rest of Class 2A would want to knock off the defending state champions, putting a target on their backs in the playoffs.
“We told our guys they’re going to come out to hunt us, but we’re not getting hunted,” Young said. “We’re going to be the hunters.”
Hunt the Tigers did, capturing a repeat state title with a 24-7 win over Hapeville Charter. Both offenses struggled through three quarters before Carver took over in the fourth.
The Tigers led 10-7 with 10:32 remaining when their physicality finally broke through. Senior Jakobe Caslin capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a short touchdown run, taking a 17-7 lead halfway through the fourth quarter.
Carver put the game out of reach four plays later. Senior Jamarcus Davis intercepted a third-down pass and returned it 36 yards for a game-sealing touchdown.
The win was especially precious to Jones, a Carver alumnus himself. Jones helped lead the Tigers to their first state title as a standout linebacker in 2007.
Jones, who took the Carver job in May, said his championship as a player doesn’t compare to winning as head coach.
“It’s unbelievable, man,” Jones said. “Back-to-back state champions at my alma mater, being able to be the head coach at my alma mater. It’s a beautiful time, man.”
Jones believes he can give his community another state title next season. The former University of Georgia standout and NFL first-rounder returns young talent in several key positions, including quarterback.
Freshman Sebastian Heard commanded the offense and finished 9-of-13 passing for 99 yards and a touchdown. Heard hit Kei’Maurii Miles in stride for a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter, claiming a 10-0 lead.
Freshman running back Zach Watts, who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the season on Tuesday, also made several key plays, totaling 10 rushes for 60 yards and a 10-yard reception.
The Tiger defense held Hapeville Charter to 85 total yards and forced three turnovers.
Hapeville Charter was 1-for-11 on third down conversion attempts and 1-for-3 on fourth down.
“We knew we had state champion in our range, and our goal was to go back to back,” Jones said. “We bought into it, the guys bought into it, and we just went hunting.”
About the Author
Jack Leo is a sports writer and reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jack worked for the AJC throughout his four years studying journalism and sports media at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. He's now focused on telling stories in the grassroots: bringing comprehensive coverage of high school sports for AJC Varsity.
