Perry answered a Cobey Thompkins touchdown pass on the opening drive with a quick an Ahmad Gordon touchdown run on a 4th and goal and never looked back to win its first state championship in school history.
The Panthers set a state record by playing 70 seasons before appearing in the finals and Stockbridge’s 60-year wait combined for 130 combined seasons for the two Class 4A programs.
“I tell you, I am so lost for words,” said head coach Kevin Smith. “Thank you so much to all Panther Nation, this is for you.”
Stockbridge led early on a 7-yard pass from Cobey Thompkins to Jayden Howard with 5:51 left in the first quarter. Perry tied the game on a short run from Ahmad Gordon with 3:19 left in the first quarter. The Panthers took the 10-7 lead on a 26-yard field goal from Zack Peacock.
Thompkins passed to Howard on a 21-yarder to regain the lead for Stockbridge with 1:43 left in the first half but Perry’s Gesha’nn Heard returned the ensuing kickoff back 54 yards to put the Panthers ahead 17-14.
Gordon scored on a 4-yard run to cap at 10-play, 67-yard drive with 7:23 left in the third quarter to extend the margin. Stockbridge cut into the deficit on a 19-yard run from Jayden Scott to trail 24-21 with 4:42 left in the third quarter. With 1:31 left in the third, Colter Ginn passed to Dakarai Anderson on a 5-yard touchdown to give Perry a 10-point lead.
Gordon scored again, this time on a 14-yard run, to put the game out of reach with 4:14 left in the contest. Howard caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Thompkins to cap scoring for Stockbridge with 1:05 left in the game.
Perry quarterback Colter Ginn finished the year undefeated after missing four starts with a broken thumb and delivering the Panthers their first state title in program history. He was 16-of-27 passing for 261 yards and a touchdown in the championship. Gordon had 17 carries for 82 yards and three touchdowns.
Thompkins was also 16-of-27 passing for 155 yards and three touchdowns, all to Howard, who had nine receptions for 82 yards. Scott made 28 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown for Stockbridge.
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