The Pope Greyhounds hoisted their first flag football title trophy at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta after an exceptional game against Area 3 rival, the Allatoona Buccaneers. The two Cobb Schools teams met for the second time this season in the championship game on Wednesday, December 13, at 11 AM.
Both teams put on a show this season, each losing only two games before today. Allatoona (22-3) had lost earlier in the season to the Greyhounds (26-2), but it was clear that the Buc team playing in December was on a different level than they were just a month earlier. Both teams burned through their postseason opponents and cleared a definitive path to the televised title game on the biggest stage in Georgia. Both schools also had a loud fanbase present to make it a great atmosphere in the Benz.
Allatoona allowed a mere 12 points from postseason opponents while scoring 85. The Lady Bucs shut out Hughes in the first round (25-0), beat Alpharetta in the second round (19-6), eliminated Woodstock in the quarterfinals (13-6), and blanked Sequoyah in the semifinals (28-0).
Similarly, the Lady Greyhounds allowed only 12 points throughout the playoffs while scoring 106 of their own. They beat Pebblebrook in the first round (34-6), shut out Valdosta in the second round (40-0), blanked Central Gwinnett in the quarterfinals (25-0), and won a low-scoring, last-minute battle against Blessed Trinity in the semifinals (7-6). The Blessed Trinity victory was a psychological win just as much as it was physical since the Titans had eliminated the Greyhounds from the playoffs in 2021 and 2022. The Pope semifinal win set the stage for a Cobb vs. Cobb title match.
The final game did not disappoint. In typical fashion for both teams, the defense showed up and played a significant role in keeping the score tight. A well-coached defense tempered the high-powered offensive production normally expected from both sides. The score at halftime was 7-6, with the Bucs narrowly out in front.
The second half was more of the same: defense, defense, defense. The low scoring continued, with each team scoring another TD. The difference came down to extra points and hinged on a gutsy call from Pope's sideline to go for a two-point conversion after their second TD to retake the lead, 14-7.
Allatoona added a second TD of their own late in the second half to bring the score within one point, 14-13. The game's outcome hinged on the extra point try, and Buc Coach Jordan Davis elected to go for the tie. Pope defender Sarah Gentry knocked the pass down, and the Greyhounds ran out the 20 seconds remaining on the game clock to win their first GHSA Flag Football title in school history.
Pope's senior QB Riley Bensman was selected as Player of the Game thanks largely to three impressive scoring passes—one to senior Olivia O'Connor and two to senior Carly Oubs.
"We've been so close. We knew we could do it for so long, but the feeling of finally reaching the goal is amazing," Bensman said after the win.
"It's a shame someone had to lose today. All credit to Allatoona for an incredible game," said Pope Head Coach Kevin Fraser. "It's hard to believe that we've come from using note cards to run our plays and totally unorganized to where we are now. I never would have believed it. But it doesn't happen without these girls. This team worked extremely hard and faced a ton of adversity today but battled through it. I'm so proud of them."
Congratulations to the Pope Greyhounds for winning their first Flag Football title! We know both schools will be great for many years to come as flag football becomes more prominent and popular. Thanks for an excellent game, Lady Greyhounds and Lady Bucs!
