Crusaders Get Revenge On Spartans: Win GIAA State Championship

The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders flipped the script on Friday afternoon, defeating the Edmund Burke Academy Spartans 23-12 at Mercer University’s Five Star Stadium to claim the GIAA Class A State Championship.

The victory served as the ultimate redemption for the Crusaders (8-5), who had been shut out 20-0 by the Spartans (7-5) in their regular-season meeting back in August, and from last year's State Championship in which EBA won 20-17. This time, however, it was RTCA who dictated the terms, relying on a stifling defensive effort and the dual-threat playmaking of quarterback Drew Edwards to secure the trophy.

The atmosphere in Macon was electric as the 2 rivals met for the second time this season. Unlike the rainy August opener where the Crusaders struggled to find traction, RTCA looked sharp and disciplined from the opening kickoff.

Sophomore quarterback Drew Edwards, who had been on a tear throughout the playoffs with 14 total touch- continued from page

downs entering the game, continued his stellar postseason run. Edwards was named one of the Players of the Game, managing the offense with poise and making critical plays with both his arm and his legs. He connected with receivers Brittan Tabor, Blake Durden, and Anthony Cook on key downs that kept the chains moving and frustrated the Spartan secondary.

The turning point, however, was the Crusaders' defense. After surrendering 20 points to EBA earlier in the year, the unit played inspired football. They held the Spartans' dynamic backfield, featuring Sam Hickman and Cohen Felix, in check for most of the afternoon. Alijah Hodges was a force on the defensive line, disrupting the Spartans' rhythm, while the secondary provided blanket coverage to limit big plays.

RTCA wasted no time establishing control. After a good opening kickoff return by Tabor, the Crusaders started their first drive near midfield and executed a perfect mix of run and pass. Edwards connected with Tabor and Cook to move the chains, and then broke off a big carry, taking the ball down to the 13yard line.

The drive was capped just 91 seconds into the game when Edwards pushed the ball across the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown run. The subsequent extra point by Hayden Meeks put RTCA up 7-0 with 10:29 left in the first quarter.

The defense quickly backed up the offense’s fast start. After Edmund Burke successfully moved the ball across midfield, the RTCA defensive unit stood firm, stopping the Spartans on a crucial fourth-and-two to take over on downs at their own 42-yard line.

The Crusaders capitalized on the defensive stop, driving down the field again. Although the drive stalled near the red zone, Meeks was clutch, drilling a 29-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 with 4:31 remaining in the first half.

Edmund Burke quickly answered with a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-6 but the extra point was wide right.

The back-and-forth continued into the second quarter. Edwards and the offense marched down the field again, with Edwards finding Meeks and then a pivotal pass over the middle to Tabor, taking the ball down to the 2-yard line. Edwards walked in his second touchdown from 1-yard out, putting RTCA up 16-6 with 8:20 left in the half, despite the extra point being blocked.

The defense provided another massive play a few minutes later when they ripped the ball out from an EBA runner, with Edwards recovering the fumble at the RTCA 49-yard line, ending a promising Spartan drive.

The definitive defensive moment of the half came in the final minute. With Edmund Burke driving deep inside RTCA territory, looking to cut the deficit before the break, Tabor sealed the drive. A pass into the end zone was tipped by one RTCA defender, and Tabor came down with the toe-tap interception on the sideline with 17 seconds left, sending the Crusaders into halftime with a 16-6 lead.

The Crusaders' defense opened the third quarter with a quick stop, forcing a punt that resulted in RTCA taking over at their 35-yard line. The offense then delivered the dagger.

A steady, methodical drive, highlighted by passes to Durden and Meeks, and a 15-yard keeper by Edwards, moved the ball deep into the red zone. Edwards connected with Durden for a short touchdown pass near the goal line with 5:17 on the clock. Meeks’ successful extra point stretched the lead to a comfortable 23-6.

Edmund Burke managed to find the end zone late in the third quarter on an 8-yard quarterback keeper, but the Crusaders’ defense snuffed out the 2-point conversion attempt, leaving the score at 23-12 heading into the final frame. The Spartans attempted an onside kick, but Tabor made a great play to secure the recovery for RTCA near midfield.

The fourth quarter was a showcase of the Crusaders' championship-caliber defense. Blake Durden delivered a critical sack on third down, forcing a turnover on downs and preserving the lead. Later in the quarter, with the Spartans threatening to make it a 1-score game, the RTCA defense held strong, forcing EBA to attempt a 31yard field goal, which sailed wide right.

With 1:28 left in the game, and Edmund Burke desperate for a score, Edwards secured his second turnover of the day, coming up with a clutch interception over the middle and returning it to the EBA 40-yard line. This final play sealed the victory. The Crusaders ran out the clock, completing their revenge- driven season and claiming the GIAA Class A State Championship with a final score of 23-12.

Jordan Brown comes off the right side of following nice blocking to help set up an RTCA touchdown.Photo by Mike Branch