The third annual Sheriff’s Cup Invitational showcased three of the best youth teams in the state and those teams did not disappoint. The event was filled with big plays and culminated in what may be the best championship game in the event’s history with host McEachern taking the victory.
The championship game was highlighted by two contrasting styles.
McEachern continued to rely on their passing attack, as they had in their previous games, while CT Martin adapted their strategy, shifting from a wishbone formation to a spread offense, but still relied heavily on the run. The game started with both teams trading punts. Each managed just one full possession in the first period, sending the game to halftime with the score still 0-0.
“The message was to be consistent and finish up. I got a team that last played in a championship and didn’t finish the way they wanted to,” coach Virden said about his halftime message.
“So, the message this offseason was to make sure we finish every game we play.”
McEachern began the second half with the ball and initially struggled after a big tackle for loss. However, a crucial third-down conversion led to a two-yard touchdown pass from Xavier McQueen to AJ Coates, giving McEachern a 6-0 lead with 6:22 remaining.
CT Martin’s ensuing possession appeared promising but was derailed by a third-down holding call, forcing them to punt with only 3:55 left. McEachern seemed poised to secure the victory, appearing to have gained a first down, but two penalties forced them to punt, giving CT Martin one last chance to tie or win the game with just 1:28 left.
On their final drive, a late hit by McEachern moved the Vikings out of the shadow of their own goalposts, giving them hope. However, on the next play, Kadin Harrison intercepted a Ziyon Freeman pass and returned it for a touchdown, extending McEachern’s lead to 14-0 with only 1:05 remaining. McEachern held on to this lead for the rest of the game, securing a 14-0 victory and the Sheriff’s Cup championship.
In the first game of the day, McEachern moved past Mill Creek with a commanding performance. The Indians’ QB, Xavier McQueen had an outstanding game and scored three touchdowns to lead the way.
McQueen’s first two touchdowns came on impressive runs of 36 and 43 yards. A critical interception on Mill Creek’s second possession proved to be the backbreaker for the Hawks, leading to a 14-point deficit that was too big for them to overcome.
McQueen sealed the victory with a late 3-yard touchdown as time expired, pushing the McEachern lead to 20-0.
CT Martin secured their spot in the championship game with an 18-0 victory over Mill Creek. The Vikings’ quarterback, Ziyon Freeman, threw two big first-half passing touchdowns including one to Christopher Henderson and another 58-yarder to JMair Cudger, setting the tone for the game. Mill Creek’s chances of a comeback were squashed by three critical turnovers, including two fumbles, one late in the game, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
The Vikings’ dominant performance ensured their place in the final.
McEachern defeated CT Martin 16-0 on the final game of round-robin play in a condensed one-half game. McEachern’s quarterback, Xavier McQueen, threw for two touchdowns in the half, including a highlight-reel pass where he scrambled to find AJ Coates for a score. As the half progressed, both teams began to play mostly backups, ensuring they were ready for the upcoming championship game.
When asked what it meant to the team to represent Cobb County, Coach said.
“It’s a big picture. The whole message of the Sheriff’s Cup, we appreciate it, and we are glad to represent Cobb County. It’s our second opportunity being here, and we came to finish the deal.”
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