While they may not want to claim it, the Athens Academy Spartans have secured a place in Georgia sports history. Most will remember State Championship Weekend 2017 for a controversial call in the 3A state final and the snow storm that forced the postponement of the remaining contests. The Class A-Private state final will forever hold the honor of being the first state championship game to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"It was a fast week," remembers Athens Academy Coach Josh Alexander. "It's like you're drinking water from a fire hydrant. You have to try and stop and smell the roses and enjoy the moment, while making sure your kids are ready and prepared. The team we played was very overwhelming at times."
When time ran out the halo scoreboard read Eagles Landing Christian 41, Athens Academy 3, but there was still more drama awaiting the Spartans just outside the stadium doors.
"When we went in it as cold, and when we came out everything was covered in snow," recalls Alexander. "I had no idea, we had been so involved in what we were involved in. Now everything is covered in snow and we can't get home. We try to get on the freeway and we have to take the back roads. My kids are hungry, so we stopped at Burger King on the way home from the state championship. After we got our butts whipped I fed them a Whopper! We have it all stored away in the back of our minds and we're working on it. I sure hope we get that opportunity again sometime in the near future."