Hawkinsville whipped Bowdon 36-14 Saturday morning to determine the host school for the 2004 Class A State Championship game.
The defending state champs proved they are still the team to beat as their unstoppable offense capitalized on several turnovers to take a 29-0 halftime lead. If Bowdon made a good offensive play, it always seemed to be followed by a turnover a play or two later.
The turning point came in the first quarter, when Bowdon barely failed on a long pass that would have kept them in the game. After that, it was almost all Hawkinsville, led by Todd Coley and Jeremy Marshall.
A bright spot for the western Red Devils came after a penalty nullified another H'ville TD in the third quarter; Bowdon's Scott Yates then blocked a field goal attempt and returned the ball for a TD of its own. The final score would have been worse had it not been for penalties.
Hawkinsville will now be the host team when Clinch County comes visiting to reclaim the title they won in 2002. The two best teams in Class A will fight it out for the crown Friday night in Hawkinsville with kickoff set for 8:00.