Marietta dominates Eastside Catholic in ESPN's GEICO State Champions Bowl Series

By Zack Poff Dec 20, 2019, 10:35pm

Future Tennessee Volunteer Harrison Bailey puts on a show in one-sided victory over Washington 3A state champs.

Video: Marietta wins first state title since 1967
Highlights of last week's 17-9 win over Lowndes in the 7A championship.

No. 11 Marietta (Ga.) showed it is one of the best high school football teams in the country Friday night, rolling to a dominant 53-14 win over Class 3A Washington champ Eastside Catholic (Sammamish) at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.

The Blue Devils led 33-0 with 11:54 left to play in the second quarter.

Tennessee signee Harrison Bailey completed 14 of 18 passes in the first half alone for 410 yards and six touchdowns. Georgia's 7A state champs piled up 514 total yards in the first half while building a 46-7 lead.

Bailey sat out the second half, which was sped along with a running clock.
Marietta quarterback Harrison Bailey threw six first-half touchdowns in the convincing victory.
Marietta quarterback Harrison Bailey threw six first-half touchdowns in the convincing victory.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Backup quarterback Tyler Hughes threw for two scores. The Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Arik Gilbert had one touchdown and 2020 Michigan State signee Ricky White and 2020 Boston College signee Taji Johnson both had three receiving touchdowns.

Marietta ended the season on a nine-game winning streak with notable victories over No. 14 Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.), No. 16 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.), Hillgrove (Powder Springs, Ga.), Milton (Ga.), Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) and Eastside Catholic.



The Blue Devils have a strong case to improve their position in next week's final national rankings, which will be released Sunday.

Eastside Catholic finished the year 12-2 and won its second consecutive Class 3A state championship, beating O'Dea (Seattle) 20-12 two weeks ago. Ohio State signee Gee Scott Jr. ended his high school career with a receiving touchdown Friday. Expect to see his name on the MaxPreps All-American Team on Jan. 6.

Gio Ursinia scored the only other touchdown for Eastside Catholic.

The GEICO State Champion Bowl Series concludes Saturday with No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and No. 7 St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii). The game starts at 6:30 p.m. PST.
Receiver Taji Johnson breaks into the open while scoring one of his three touchdowns.
Receiver Taji Johnson breaks into the open while scoring one of his three touchdowns.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Eastisde Catholic quarterback Kobe Muasau is tackled by a Marietta defender.
Eastisde Catholic quarterback Kobe Muasau is tackled by a Marietta defender.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Tight end Arik Gilbert attempts to avoid an Eastside Catholic defender.
Tight end Arik Gilbert attempts to avoid an Eastside Catholic defender.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Harrison Bailey proudly displays the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series trophy.
Harrison Bailey proudly displays the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series trophy.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Marietta players and coaches celebrate their victory in Las Vegas.
Marietta players and coaches celebrate their victory in Las Vegas.
Photo by Jann Hendry