Irwin County accumulated 490 yards, forced five turnovers and rolled to a 56-14 win over Marion County to win the Class A Public championship on Saturday at Georgia State Stadium.

The game was an emotional one for Irwin County. Their coach, Buddy Nobles, has been fighting stomach cancer all season, but was greeted with cheers of “Buddy, Buddy, Buddy” as he slowly stepped up to the stage and took a seat during the trophy presentation. Nobles, the first to hold the trophy, smiled and signaled No. 1 with his index finger.

It marked the second state championship for Irwin County.

Click here to see the boxscore. 

Irwin County (13-0) rushed for 359 yards, with D.J. Lundy carrying 10 times for 174 yards and one touchdown. Gabriel Benyard carried nine times for 86 yards and two touchdowns and Jamorri Colson ran nine ties for 85 yards and one touchdown.  Quarterback Zach Smith completed 4 of 6 passes for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Marion County (11-3) was led by quarterback Trice McCannon. He completed 6 of 15 passes for 92 yards and one touchdown, but threw three interceptions and was sacked once. McCannon rushed 17 times for 131 yards and one touchdown.

Irwin County scored two quick touchdowns to open the game and took a 28-14 lead into halftime. The Indians added three more touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away.