Ridgeland’s Vonn Bell looks for an opening against Marist’s Michael Toner, left, and Brandon Young.
Ridgeland is Domeward bound.
Despite facing a team steeped in tradition and long on playoff experience, it was Ridgeland that fought back and found a way to earn a trip to Georgia’s Class AAAA football state championship game with a thrilling 28-27 victory Friday over second-ranked Marist.
“Considering what was on the line, I don’t know that I’ve ever been a part of a more exciting game,” said Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis, whose program had not gotten past the second round before this season. “That’s what a semifinal game is supposed to be like.
“Amazing.”
After a gutty 10-play, 77-yard drive in the game’s final three minutes to take the lead, the Panthers’ fate rested on the right foot of Marist junior kicker Fletcher Malloy. His 34-yard field-goal attempt hit the right upright and bounced back to the turf as the buzzer sounded, sending the players on the Ridgeland sideline sprinting into one massive celebratory hug.