DOMINANT D: The Central defensive-line was getting into the Woodward backfield at will.

THOMASVILLE — In a game that was supposed to be a matchup between two of the best defenses in the state of Georgia, the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets and Woodward Academy War Eagles put on an offensive show for the ages.

Central was lights out to start the game as Dee Reddick broke free for a big kick return to the 40 yard line. Senior Trey Brenton then finished off the scoring drive with a pair of runs and, in just two plays and 21 seconds, Central had a 7-0 lead.

Then it was the defense’s turn to step up and they turned on the pressure. The defensive line was in the War Eagles back field all night, especially in the first half. Walter Reddick led the way with six sacks in the first half and the d-line recorded double digit sacks in the game. Walter Reddick first made his presence known as he blocked a Woodward punt, giving the Yellow Jackets the ball on the 20.

Once again Central scored in just two plays as quarterback Jaylen Johnson found Malachi Thomas for a 20-yard score. Heading into the second quarter, the Jackets held a 14-0 lead.

Woodward began to find some success in the passing game with some big plays for chunk yardage, but Central’s defense was able to apply the pressure and force the War Eagle QB outside of the pocket often, making him very uncomfortable.

Central responded to Woodward’s success with some dangerous passing of their own. Johnson found Tre’Von Pringle for a huge gain to put the Jackets on the one. Johnson punched it in on the quarterback keeper and the Jackets went up 21-0.

Johnson was electric and at times it seemed like Woodward had no answer for the sophomore QB. He got it done with his arm and his legs and was rarely brought down behind the line of scrimmage as he led his offense to multiple and much needed explosive plays. He was so explosive, in fact, that all six of Central’s scoring drives lasted less than three minutes.

“Jaylen Johnson played well,” said Central head coach Justin Rogers. “We said all week if we were going to have a shot Jaylen had to play good and Jaylen just played lights out tonight. What a night to have his best night.”

Central’s stellar first half defense made quick work of the War Eagles offense, forcing a 4th and 10 after a shoestring tackle by Tywon Christopher. Johnson would then take another keeper for 30 yards and the score to put Central up by 28.

However, the War Eagles were not done. They scored on a scramble by the Woodward QB in the final 30 seconds of the half and the Jackets were able to take a 28-7 lead into half time.

The War Eagles came out of the locker room hot, while Central’s defense came out a bit off kilter. Central would start the half off with a pair of sacks, but a number of costly and unnecessary penalties would gain the War Eagles significant yardage and several first downs. Woodward would make the Jackets pay for their mistakes with a huge gain on a pass over the middle that put them on the six-yard line as they threatened to cut the lead to 14. Woodward would score on an impressive pass play that saw the receiver stretch the ball over the goal line, making it 28-14.

Central then did what the Yellow Jackets had done all night, respond. Once again, the Yellow Jackets scored in just two plays as Johnson found Pringle for a 57-yard touchdown, giving the young quarterback three TDs in the game.

Woodward also hit a long pass play for a score and heading into the fourth quarter, the Jackets held onto a 35-21 lead.

In the fourth quarter, like clockwork, Johnson found Thomas on a 33-yard pass that saw the big tight end waltz into the end zone. Central’s defense continued to penetrate Woodward’s offensive line, though the War Eagles QB responded well to the pressure in the second half.

But, limited success in the pass game was no match for the mighty Yellow Jackets. Johnson would break free for a big run to put his offense inside the ten and Brenton finish the drive off with his second touchdown of the game.

To give credit where credit is due, the War Eagles never gave up. They played to the whistle, scoring a touchdown late. But, as the horn sounded in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the score couldn’t be misread. Thomas County Central had dropped 49 points on one of the best defenses in Georgia 6A and had taken a 21 point victory and the state championship.

“It’s a blessing for the coaches, our student sections, our fans overall,” Brenton said. “What they do for us after school, you know, stuff like that to make us get this far and we had to show them in return what we’re going to bring home to the city. It’s a blessing and go Jackets.”

Congratulation to the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets. You are the 2023 6A Georgia State Champions.