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Greenback wins Class 1A state title game

Bryce Hanley accounted for 260 all-purpose yards and Josh Edwards scored three touchdowns as Greenback beat Cornersville in the Class 1A state championship game, 42-21.

Bryce Hanley accounted for 260 all-purpose yards and Josh Edwards scored three touchdowns as Greenback beat Cornersville in the Class 1A state championship game, 42-21.

Greenback has won its first state title since 1987.

The Cornersville Bulldogs (13-2) started the game by recovering their own onside kick. Quarterback Kolbe McMahon connected with Darien Bush for a 54-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.

From there, Greenback played uncontested for the rest of the game. The Cherokees put together a two-play, 25-second drive that culminated in a Josh Edwards rushing touchdown, then went to Edwards again to make it 14-7.

The Cherokees out-gained the Bulldogs, 449 to 232.

Breeden Gilbert had 176 all-purpose yards and one touchdown Thursday. He led the team with 10 tackles, one for loss, to win the Defensive MVP of the game.

"It's a huge," Gilbert said of the championship. "I came into this season and I got off a little slow. But after more conditioning and getting my legs under me, we started running more and more. Me and Josh started clicking, and we just kept rolling and rolling.

Junior quarterback Bryce Hanley won the Offensive MVP award, and shared a special embrace with his father, Brian, after the game. Brian Hanley played for the 1987 Cherokees team and currently serves as the defensive coordinator.

"It was a great moment, being able to share it with this team and especially him," Bryce Hanley said. "It's been a great time."

Coach Greg Ryan served as ball boy for the 1987 championship team; he was in seventh grade at the time. A Greenback native, Ryan got emotional during the post-game ceremony.

"If I'm going to win the state championship for any high school team, I'd rather it be Greenback," Ryan said.

Josh Edwards described himself as "shook" after wining the game.

"We'll be back next year," Edwards said. "We might even win another golden ball."

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