DASHER— In a powerful playoff performance, the Georgia Christian Generals claimed victory over the Westminster Christian Academy (WCA) Lions, dominating the game 44-8 and advancing in the GIAA Football Championships.

The game kicked off with Georgia Christian receiving, and a personal foul for targeting immediately set the Generals on a favorable course up the field. Quarterback Briceten Gaines took control, breaking through the Lions’ defense with a keeper that drove the Generals deep into WCA territory. Moments later, a quick pass to Benji Galindo put Georgia Christian on the board with an early touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

The Lions’ first drive showed promise, with Noah Goodwin gaining solid yards, but a holding penalty quickly reversed their progress, pushing them back near their own end zone. A false start compounded the setback, forcing WCA to punt the ball back to the Generals. 

Gaines again led the charge, connecting on a long pass to Galindo to place Georgia Christian in scoring position. Carson Hanks added a strong carry, followed by another pass to Galindo that moved the Generals to WCA’s 10-yard line. Gaines kept the ball on the ground, pushing through for another touchdown, although a missed two-point attempt left the score at 14-0.

The Lions continued to struggle offensively, punting the ball after a stalled drive. Hanks delivered a strong return, setting the Generals up in good field position. After a defensive pass interference call, the Generals opted for a 45-yard field goal, which Galindo converted, extending their lead to 17-0.

WCA’s offense sputtered with incomplete passes and penalties, resulting in another punt, while Georgia Christian capitalized on another big pass to Hayden Coats, who hauled in a first down. Hanks broke loose on a 35-yard carry, then drove straight into the end zone, and a successful two-point conversion pushed the Generals’ lead to 25-0.

After halftime, the Lions started the third quarter with a promising long pass to Asa Morecraft, inching into Generals territory. However, Georgia Christian’s defense held firm, forcing another punt. 

Gaines kept the momentum with a reverse to Galindo and a pass to Bo Miller, bringing the Generals to the Lions’ 10-yard line. A missed touchdown attempt handed the ball over to WCA on downs, but the Lions failed to capitalize, and another punt return put Georgia Christian back in scoring range. Though a fumble near the goal line momentarily halted the Generals’ drive, they quickly regained possession after forcing WCA to punt again.

Late in the third quarter, the Lions rallied for their best drive of the game, working a series of passes that pushed them close to the end zone. But on a crucial fourth down, the Lions’ quarterback was sacked, ending their hopes for a touchdown. The Generals responded with a touchdown bomb to Coats, although they missed the two-point conversion, bringing the score to 31-0.

In the fourth quarter, WCA finally broke through with a touchdown of their own on a deep pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion, narrowing the deficit to 31-8. But Georgia Christian quickly answered back with a long pass to Galindo, who scored another touchdown. A missed two-point attempt left the score at 37-8.

With just six minutes left, a fumble recovery by the Generals in Lion territory set up a touchdown pass to Evans, sealing the game with a field goal for a final score of 44-8. Georgia Christian held strong as the remaining time dwindled, securing a commanding playoff victory.

The Generals will stay home for the next game on Friday, the 15th, at Westminster Schools of Augusta’s Wildcats, an undefeated team out of Augusta with a record of 7-0.