The Bodda Getta

Marion County was averaging 50 points per game going into the Class 1A championship game against Brantley including an 83-6 win over Meek in the first round of the playoffs.

But they hadn’t run across a defense quite like the Bulldogs put on the field Thursday. Brantley pitched its 10th shutout of the season to cap off a perfect 15-0 record with a 33-0 win over Marion County.

It’s Brantley’s fourth football state championship.

“It’s just a credit to the kids. They really wanted to come out and play tonight,” Brantley coach David Lowery said. “They knew what Marion County has been doing on offense. They just took that as a challenge and our kids wanted to show they could play a little defense. I’m so proud of them tonight.”

Junior flanker O.J. Guice was the star for Brantley on offense earning MVP honors. He rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown on nine carries and caught four passes for 31 yards and two touchdowns.

“We worked hard for this all year,” Guice said. “We had a goal to win state and made it. It means a lot. It’s very special.”

Marion County finished the season 13-2, coming up a game short of back-to-back state championships after beating Linden 23-12 in last year’s 1A title game.