The Perry football team claimed the program’s first-ever GHSA championship Tuesday night, beating Stockbridge 38-27 for the Class 4A title. Perry finishes its season with a 13-2 record, while Stockbridge finishes 12-3.
Stockbridge scored on its opening drive, but Perry quickly responded and led 17-14 at the half. The big play at the end of the first half came on a Perry kickoff return: Rodarious Lewis fumbled the return, but teammate Gesha’nn Heard scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown and the halftime lead.
Gesha'nn Heard scoops it up to score the Panthers TD 🏈
2Q: @PHS_Football1 17 @StockbridgeFoo2 14 #GPBSports pic.twitter.com/qOeKjhk6a2
— GPB Sports (@GPBsports) December 12, 2023
Head coach Kevin Smith’s Panthers then controlled the action in the second half to claim their first title in the program’s first appearance in the championship game.
Colton Ginn threw for 261 yards and a touchdown, completing 16 of 27 passes. Dakarai Anderson had seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown. Ahmad Gordon rushed for 82 yards and three touchdowns.
Congratulations to the 2023 @OfficialGHSA 4A Football Champions, @PHS_Football1! @osgnelson caught up with @CoachSmith_PHS about how it feels to take home the 4A title! #GPBSports pic.twitter.com/9tdiUZBHLy
— GPB Sports (@GPBsports) December 13, 2023