ATLANTA — Calhoun senior defensive back Makadan Griffin knew over the final three quarters of Wednesday’s GHSA Class AAA state championship game against Jefferson that he and his Yellow Jackets teammates had to step up and be better in their pass coverage.
At the end of the first quarter, Dragons quarterback Gavin Markey had completed three of his first four passes for 82 yards, and on the first play of the second quarter, the senior powered his way into the end zone to cut the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 14-7.
Calhoun’s defense made a big difference from that point forward as the Jackets flustered Markey, who was 3-of-14 through the air the rest of the way with as many interceptions as completions.
“We had to step up and be leaders,” said Griffin, who tied for the game high with seven tackles and showcased his physicality on several run-stuffing stops. “We were ready for this moment. We all played for each other out there and refused to get beat. Even after a slow start at the beginning of the season, we just kept showing up every day and believed we could get to this moment.”
Senior defensive backs Kam Penny and Jake Jordan took turns lifting the program’s fifth GHSA state championship trophy high in the air in the postgame celebration of Calhoun’s 20-7 triumph.
Tears flowed from Penny’s eyes after he helped shut down the Dragons’ receiving corps in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
“We came such a long way. This is all a result of so much hard work. We did it. We did it,” Penny said. “I am going to save this game in my memory banks forever. This is something we will cherish and never forget. I am so proud of my teammates and coaches.”
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun’s Jake Jordan (33) celebrates with his teammates after the Yellow Jackets beat Jefferson 20-7 to win the GHSA Class AAA state championship Wednesday night at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.Jordan was the defensive superstar Wednesday, impacting the game from the start. After getting beat deep downfield on a 45-yard reception by the Dragons in the first quarter, he knocked the ball out from behind to force a fumble that was recovered by Penny.
Jordan put his stamp on the fourth quarter as he made a leaping interception deep down the Jefferson sideline, then ended the game by tipping a throw to the middle of the end zone up to himself to gather in bounds as he tightroped the line at the back of the end zone.
After the third and final turnover forced by Jordan with 1:38 left in the fourth quarter, he provided a victory slide in the end zone before racing with his teammates to celebrate with the erupting Calhoun student section.
“Me and the receiver both went up for it, and I know the good Lord gave me a tip, and I went up for the ball and it fell into my hands. And the rest is history,” said Jordan, who finished the season with five interceptions. “Whatever they threw at us, we were ready for it that second half. Our players and coaching staff are so together, we were ready for any challenge.”
Going up against a big dual threat like Jefferson’s Markey was a challenge the entire defense stepped up to and shut down. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Markey entered the title game with 39 touchdowns this season, and in four playoff games, he had rushed for 629 yards and 11 scores on the ground to go with four touchdown passes.
“Having to cover their receivers one on one was the danger for us, because to stop that quarterback, we had to load the box,” Calhoun coach Clay Stephenson said. “Our guys did a great job back there in the secondary.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.