When the War Eagles of Marist School, Atlanta, took the football field against the Eagles of Northside Warner Robins, you knew feathers would be flying. However, when the feathers settled it was Northside who soared higher, defeating Marist 30-6 in the Dec. 15 championship game, thereby winning the school’s first state championship.

Marist, which had averaged nearly 24 points per game in the four games leading up to the championship, could only manage two field goals by senior kicker Colin Gallagher. Marist was trailing 9-6 at halftime, but in the second half it became the Northside Warner Robins show with Tijuan Green as the protagonist. The junior running back ran for two touchdowns and caught one as Northside scored 21 unanswered points.

Marist ended the season with a record of 13-2. Coach Alan Chadwick reached and surpassed 250 career wins during the playoffs to bring his overall record to 251-40. That makes him Marist’s all-time winningest coach. Senior fullback Preston Lyons rushed for 1,451 yards on 184 attempts, along with 22 rushing touchdowns this season. He also broke two school records previously held by Brandon Russell (Class of 2000). Lyons currently holds the record for career rushing yards with 3,707 yards and he also holds the record for career touchdowns scored with 61 (rushing and receiving).