A determined defense and an all-star performance by quarterback Kenzie Horton helped Greenbrier win its second straight state flag football championship.
The Wolfpack (21-1) did not surrender a first down in the first half and finished with their 16th shutout of the season, an 18-0 victory over North Oconee in the Division 2 final.
Horton completed 15 of 22 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns to spark the offense. The senior capped the game by throwing a touchdown pass on the final play of her career and was voted player of the game by the GHSA.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” Horton said. “It’s a lot right now. It’s going to set in later for sure on the bus ride back and we’re all going to feel it. But it’s just amazing to be able to do it with a great team and great coaches.”
Greenbrier coach Daniel Jordan said, “We’ve got a lot of experience. Got a great quarterback, coaches, offensive coordinator. Our defensive coordinator did a phenomenal job preparing our team. Our defense is prepared like that. It’s just a tough team.”
Greenbrier, located just outside Augusta, scored in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by Carrington Myers and held a 6-0 lead at halftime.
The Wolfpack stretched the advantage to 12-0 in the third quarter on a 21-yard pass from Horton to Mamie Pangle. Horton hooked up Maggie Pangle with 27 seconds remaining on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
But Greenbrier’s defense gave no ground all game. North Oconee (17-5) had only 47 total yards and Titans’ quarterback Cooper was held to 61 yards passing and threw two interceptions, one by Lexi Lacey and one by Presley McDermott.
“We tried to keep the coverage really tight and then we tried to change coverages and keep them guessing,” Jordan said. “They still got some movement. They’ve got good players and they’re going to make plays sometimes, but we tried to limit their big plays and keep pressuring them.”
