Jackets take it to Third Overtime, but fall just short against Pierce County 48-45

One yard line, third overtime and Bears have the ball. Caden McGatha had just thought he won the game, but the ruling on the field was overturned by video evidence.

With one shot left and up by three, the Jackets came down to the goal line stand. McGatha gets the ball, makes the second effort and Pierce County wins the title – their first in school history.

Rockmart, who this year finished their 100th season in the state title game, came up three points short. It wasn’t without a hard fight.

A Game for the Century

In their first ever meeting, Rockmart and Pierce County got into a serious fight for the title.

Rockmart took the opening kickoff and weren’t able to make hay out of the first drive, and it was well into the first quarter before Pierce County’s Quarterback Caden McGatha put in the first touchdown on an 8-play, 66 yard drive. That lasted until the opening minutes of the second quarter when Calliyon Thompson found an opening and went more than 60 yards on a keeper for a touchdown run of his own for the first tie of the game.

McGatha scored again in the second for the go-ahead, but just before halftime the Jackets tied it back up when Thompson connected with Tristan Anderson for a 7-yard pass into the end zone.

Each quarterback scored on a touchdown pass in the third to keep it tied. McGatha connected with Carson Sloan midway through the quarter to get the go-ahead touchdown, and Thompson connected with JD Davis for a 62-yard pass and subsequent run-in for the tie.

Disaster struck and almost knocked Rockmart completely out of the game as time was running out in the third. After Tristan Anderson put up a 54-yard punt return and a late hit call got Rockmart a half-distance penalty, a wildcat formation went truly crazy when the high snap went over Brent Washington’s head. He attempted a recovery, but it bounced out of his hands before being ruled down and a pile of Jackets and Bears fought for it in the ensuing scramble downfield before Pierce County came up with what was ultimately ruled a backwards pass and turnover.

The ensuing drive saw McGatha throw for a second touchdown – his fourth overall in the game – and take the lead as the fourth quarter began.

A Calliyon Thompson run-in for a touchdown on the ensuing drive was the tied response Rockmart needed, and some back and forth on defense ate the clock until time was near the expiration point and Pierce had no choice but to go for a field goal try.

Rockmart’s special teams came up with a block and sent it into a three-overtime thriller that will be remembered in Rockmart lore for many years to come.

The Jackets took the first overtime possession and ultimately saw Rockmart’s General Brent Washington punch it in for the first lead for the home team through the title matchup.

Pierce responded with the tie to take it to second overtime, and both teams traded touchdowns as Sloan in a wildcat formation scored the opening 2OT score, and Washington ultimately responded with a touchdown that was ruled in by video evidence.

The third overtime is where the game took the wildest turn of all. Rockmart got the opening possession and were able to knock in a field goal. The exhausted defense were unable to keep McGatha from moving forward, and he dove toward the goal line for what was initially ruled a score and title victory for the Bears.

Video evidence overturned that call as McGatha’s knee went out of bounds before the rest of his body crossed the pylon, so both teams were called back out for more set of downs.

It only took the first and goal for the McGatha to repeat his performance and on a second effort pushed past the goal line for the 48-45 3OT victory.

The Bears took their second state title of the decade. They won a 2020 title in Class AAA over Oconee County.

This was Rockmart’s second trip to the title game under Coach Biff Parson. The Jackets played in 2018 against Heard County.

The Jackets finished the season 12-3 after going on an 11-1 run following a third game loss to Dalton. They have made it to the playoffs every season under Parson’s tenure which began in 2016.

Record setter

McGatha is a junior who accomplished something only one other in the state has before him: a 2,000 yard passing and 2,000 yard rushing season. He had more than 50 carries against Rockmart on Tuesday before all was said and done.