It’s wasn’t difficult for Mike Polke to decide which play was his favorite, although he had plenty of options.
Polke caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass, but it was the 92-yard kickoff return that brought the biggest smile to his face after he helped Toombs County defeat Northeast Macon 38-18 to win the Class A Division I championship on Tuesday.
The long touchdown return, Polke’s first of the year, was a quick answer to a Northeast touchdown drive. It switched the momentum back in favor of the Bulldogs, who went on to win the school’s first state championship.
“Every time they kick it to me, I want to take it to the house,” said Polke, who has signed with Mercer. “I don’t get it kicked to me very often.”
After fielding the ball making a couple of cuts, the Northeast return team was no match for the speedy Polke, who was untouched as he scored.
“I was kind of surprised they kicked it to him,” admitted Toombs County coach Buddy Martin. “Once I saw him breaking loose, I knew he was gone. I’m so happy for that kid. He’s a phenomenal young man, going to be a special player at the next level.”
The win had extra significance for Toombs County, whose middle Georgia town of Lyons was devastated this fall by Hurricane Helene. The No. 1-ranked Bulldogs finished the season 13-1 and ruined No. 5-ranked Northeast’s dreams of become the first Macon school to win a state title since 1975.
“This means everything,” Polke said. “We’ve been working for this since January, since last year since we lost to Rockmart (in the state quarterfinals.)”
Toombs was led offensively by quarterback T.J. Stanley, a Georgia State signee who completed 14 of 23 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns an rushed 16 times for 83 yards.
Polke caught five passes for 103 yards and one touchdown and Lagonza Hayward, a Florida signee, caught four passes for 59 yards and one touchdown.
The Toombs defense was paced by Roy Hayden (10 tackles) and Zireese Scott (nine tackles).
Northeast (12-3) was led by Nick Woodford, who rushed 19 times for 109 yards and caught three passes for 41 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Reginald Glover completed of 20 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 72 yards and one score.
The Raiders were led on defense by Tailen Sampson, who had 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and forced two fumbles.
Northeast scored first on a 35-yard pass from Glover to Woodford, but missed the extra point.
Toombs County scored consecutive touchdowns to take a 14-6 lead, as Stanley connected with Hayward for a 29-yard score and with Polke for a 47-yarder.
Northeast answered when Glover threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Glover, but gave it back when Polke returned the ensuring kickoff for a 92-yard touchdown. Toombs added a 25-yard field goal from Alex Otero at the horn and led 24-12 at halftime.
Northeast closed the gap to 24-18 midway in the third quarter on Glover’s 6-yard run, only to have Toombs put it away with a 12-yard run from Justin Powell. Toombs tacked on another touchdown when Stanley broke free for a 28-yard run with a minute to play.
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