Burke County football stares down familiar foe in GHSA 2A semifinal
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With the semifinal round of the GHSA State Football Championships ready to kickoff, Burke County stands as one just four teams remaining in Class 2A. The Bears are looking to make it back to the state title game for the second straight season. But standing in their way is Carver High School, the same team that beat them in the championship round a year ago.
Here’s what you need to know about Burke County and Carver’s matchup during the semifinals of the GHSA Class 2A postseason:
Burke County (11-2) at Carver, Columbus (13-0)
- When: Friday, Dec. 5, 7:00 p.m.
- Where: Carver High School; 3100 8th St, Columbus, Ga. 31906
The stakes on the line for both teams are massive headed into Friday night’s game. For Carver, an opportunity to make it back to the state title game and win the school’s third championship in football and its first repeat title. Burke County on the other hand has the chance to make amends for what was a thorough beatdown against Carver last year, losing 52-14.
That loss had been a motivating factor for the team throughout the offseason. Now, they are faced head on with the team that took everything they worked for a year ago. Not only does Burke County have a chance to get back to the title game with a win, it’s also an opportunity to send Carver home packing.
Bears head coach Franklin Stephens could not care less about any of that.
“One of the worst things you can do is look ahead and look at these brackets and talk about the different teams,” Stephens said. “You got to focus on your day-to-day routine of taking care of business and then focusing on who you’re playing. We can’t worry about getting back to the state championship. We got to worry about winning a football game, and then once we can win the football game, then it takes care of everything else for us.”
Winning the football game may be the tallest task the Bears have faced this season. The Tigers are unblemished coming into this game. The last time the program even lost a game was in Week 3 of the 2024 season. Many major contributors from the championship team returned: five star defensive end/wide receiver and Texas A&M commit Tristian Givens, Kelston Tarver, a shifty running back who’s their leading rusher with almost 1,200 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, and Kei’Maurii Miles, the leading receiver and a three-star prospect with offers from schools like Georgia and North Carolina.
Equally impressive has been Carver's freshman class. Zach Watts was the second best running back on the team this year. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and 16 touchdowns. Sebastian Heard, the team’s starting quarterback, has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. The new faces have clearly meshed well with veterans, and the results are the proof in the pudding.
Meanwhile for Burke County, many of its top offensive talent from last season’s run is no longer on the roster. Senior quarterback Sean Vandiver remembers all too well the feeling of falling to Carver last year. This year he’s done everything in his power to help get his team over the hump. Between throwing and rushing the football, he has over 1,800 yards and 31 touchdowns.
The run game has been the Bears' bread and butter all season. Returners from last season like seniors Chris Flournoy Jr. and Jamari Reeves have been reliable options, each scoring seven rushing touchdowns this year. New faces such as junior Landen Wright have also played a key role in the offense. He had a combined 10 touchdowns between rushing and receiving this season.
Both teams have the talent and the depth to make it back to the state championship game. Only one will be standing victorious after Friday night’s game.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Burke County takes on Carver in GHSA Class 2A football semifinals
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