FCS Team Details

Headed for Elite 8: Fellowship Beats North Murray in Sweet 16; Will Face Pierce County Next

The Fellowship Christian School varsity football team picked a pretty good time to play a complete football game.

On Nov. 17, eight different players combined to score nine touchdowns – four rushing, three passing and a Pick Six – as the Paladins defeated North Murray High School, 63-14 in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA Class AA Football Championships and advance to the Elite 8 for the sixth straight season. It was Fellowship’s seventh straight victory of the season as the Paladins improved to 10-2 overall, the school’s sixth consecutive 10-win season.

The Paladins (seeded No. 1 for Region 8) will travel to Pierce County High School for their next game in Blackshear on Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The Bears (seeded No. 1 for Region 3) defeated a No. 2 Laney High School from Region 4, 35-14, on Nov. 17. North Murray is the second seed for Region 7 and finished 8-4 overall.

“I am so proud of our guys,” head coach John Thompson said. “You could not have scripted it any better. We played well in all phases of the game, and everyone contributed. That was a good football team, but everything worked for us. It went like we worked on it. The boys are committed and continue play for each other. I won’t forget this one.”

With the victory the Paladins, making their eighth straight trip to the state tournament and sixth straight Elite 8 appearance, improved to 5-1 in Class AA state playoff games and 19-8 overall in postseason contests.

They will face an 11-1 opponent next week.

“We have a big chore coming up,” Thompson said. “Hopefully we will continue to get better. But tonight our defense held a great offense scoreless for three quarters. Number 3 and number 15 are very good! [Defensive coordinator] Jake Robertson had a great game plan. We took their best guys out of the game. Jake and the defensive coaches prepared our team well and did an excellent job.”

The offense was pretty good too.

The Paladins scored the most points in a playoff game in school history. The contest’s point total is tied for the second-highest point total in school history. The team has registered 63 points or more in a game four times.

On Nov. 17, the Paladin offense got things going quickly after a Mountaineer punt after three plays on their first possession.

CJ Givers, Fellowship’s top rusher, got the drive started with a 20-yard pickup that ended with sophomore quarterback Jonathan Granby’s 35-yard TD run at 9:30. Senior Nathan Chapman notched the first of his seven consecutive extra-point kicks to give FCS a 7-0 lead.

FCS scored again on its next possession. Givers bounced outside quickly and scored on a beautiful 22-yard sprint to the end zone at 4:13.

Fellowship, which scored on eight out of 10 possessions against North Murray, led 14-0 after the first quarter and 35-0 at halftime.

Givers scored on a 65-yard run at 10:37 of the second quarter, senior Josh Milhollin caught an 11-yard TD pass in the end zone from Granby at 10:21 and junior Al Thompson had a 65-yard interception return at 8:37.

Thompson stepped in front of the receiver, grabbed the ball and sprinted past several Mountaineers on his way to the end zone. Givers’ score ended a quick three-play 65-yard drive that began after a Mountaineer punt. Senior Caden Coffin grabbed a loose ball on an errant pitch to set up Milhollin’s seventh TD in three games.

Fellowship started the second half with the ball and scored on a three-play, 51-yard drive. Junior Evan Haynes grabbed a pinpoint pass from Granby at the goal line to help FCS make it 42-0 at 11:33. On the drive’s first play, junior Dontavious Carter picked up 21 yards. Then Granby and Milhollin connected for a 15-yard completion.

Junior Jason Wilson’s interception in the end zone ended North Murray’s next possession on a 3^rd-and-goal play at 6:53 of the third quarter.

Following an inadvertent whistle that ended his first run attempt (which looked like it may have gone for 80 yards), senior Noah Falcon scored on an 80-yard run on the same play call where he busted through the line of scrimmage on the right side, got outside and went untouched down the field for a 49-0 lead.

It was 56-0 after senior Christian Easterly grabbed a 43-yard TD catch and run from Granby on the first play of FCS’ eighth possessions. It was at 4:30 of the third quarter.

North Murray got on the scoreboard with a 23-yard TD pass at 11:08 of the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers added its second score when they converted a fumble recovery into a 96-yard TD return with 7:40 to play.

Fellowship closed out the scoring on sophomore Noah Hazard’s 58-yard TD catch late in the game. He grabbed freshman Davis Ferguson’s pass near midfield and sprinted to the end zone. Sophomore Drew Collins kicked the extra point to make it 63-14. Hazard led the team in receiving yards with that catch. The game ended with an FCS interception by freshman Trummie Patrick.

Fellowship out gained the Mountaineers, 493-294. That included advantages of 160-111 passing and 333-183 on the ground. Givers ran five times for 118 yards, Falcon once for 80 yards and sophomore Bryce Sewell carried the ball five times for 67 yards.

Granby completed 6-of-9 pass attempts for 102 yards and three scores. Milhollin caught three passes for 32, and Haynes grabbed two for 27 yards.

Junior Charles Sharp led the defense with 12 total tackles, six solo stops and six assisted tackles. Sophomore Patrick Shickle recorded six total stops, including five assists. Junior Josh Petty topped the squad with two tackles for a loss. Petty and Falcon each notched a sack.

Other Highlights

• Last season, FCS downed North Murray, 49-28, to open the GHSA Class AA Football Championships. It was the first varsity football meeting ever between the schools.

• On Saturday, Nov. 11, the Paladins opened the playoffs with a 42-14 home win over Redan High School of Stone Mountain at Bob Lord Field. Later that same day, the Mountaineers posted a 35-12 victory at South Atlanta High School, snapping a three-year opening-round losing streak.

• In 2023, senior Nathan Chapman is perfect in nine field-goal attempts. He’s also connected on all 69 extra-point kick attempts this season.

• Entering the playoffs, Fellowship shares seventh among Class AA schools in the GHSFD rankings.

(Photos by Milo Falcon)

Week 12 Preview: Fellowship Hosts North Murray in Football Playoffs … Again

The Fellowship Christian School varsity football team will face North Murray High School in the state football playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Paladins, who have qualified for the state playoffs for eight straight seasons, host the Mountaineers in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA Class AA Football Championships on Nov. 17 at Bob Lord Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Last season, FCS downed North Murray, 49-28, to open the GHSA Class AA Football Championships. It’s the only varsity football meeting ever between the schools.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, the Paladins opened the playoffs with a 42-14 home win over Redan High School of Stone Mountain at Bob Lord Field. Later that same day, the Mountaineers posted a 35-12 victory at South Atlanta High School, snapping a three-year opening-round losing streak.

“We as coaches have been very pleased with how our guys have continued to work and prepare,” head coach John Thompson said. “North Murray is a very good football team, as are all these teams left in the tournament now. They have very-talented players and we are concerned about some possible mismatches that they can take advantage of. Judson Petty is a lot like Josh Milhollin. He does a lot of things, and he does them well as a running back and a wide receiver. The guy is a problem. Their quarterback, Skyler Williams, is big and tall and is a threat throwing and running. We will have to do a great job on those two young men.”

Thompson knows what his team needs to do on Friday night.

“We just have to continue playing turnover free offense, not allowing the big play on defense, and winning the kicking game,” Thompson said. “If we do those three things, I think will be happy. This game will be a very good gauge on if we can continue to get better down the stretch. Our players and our coaches hope everybody associated with Fellowship is excited about this game.”

Fellowship (9-2 overall) is the top seed from Region 8, while North Murray (8-3 overall) is the No. 2 seed from Region 7. The school from Chatsworth lost at Rockmart on Nov. 3, 59-7, to end a five-game win streak.

The Paladins have scored 445 points and have allowed 240 points this season, while the Mountaineers have scored 382 points and have surrendered 287.

Fellowship has gained 3,876 yards this season, including 2,298 yards on the ground and 1,578 through the air.

In Fellowship’s sixth straight victory on Nov. 11, Milhollin caught two TD passes from sophomore signal caller Jonathan Granby, returned a punt for a touchdown and added a second-quarter Pick Six.

Fellowship’s leading rusher in 2023 is sophomore CJ Givers, who has 189 carries, 1,317 yards and 21 touchdowns. Granby has collected 384 yards and 10 TDs on 60 attempts. Junior Al Thompson has recorded 283 yards on 30 carries with four scores.

Granby has completed 90-of-153 attempts for 1,518 yards and 13 scores. He’s thrown just one interception and has been sacked just four times in 2023.

Milhollin, a senior, tops FCS receivers with 45 receptions, 806 yards and nine TD catches. Junior Evan Haynes has registered 27 catches, four scores and 558 yards. Givers has caught eight passes for 83 yards.

Junior Charles Sharp leads Fellowship with 69 tackles (28 solo, 41 assists). Senior James Burrell ranks second on the club with 63 tackles (31 solo, 32 assists), while Thompson is third with 58 tackles, including a team-best 34 solo stops. Junior Dontavious Carter ranks fifth on the Paladins with 57 total tackles and leads the way with 44 assisted stops.

Burrell and junior Josh Petty are 1-2 on the club with nine and seven tackles for a loss, respectively. They both have four sacks to share the lead. Milhollin is first on the Paladins with four interceptions, followed by Haynes with two.

In 2023, senior Nathan Chapman is perfect in nine field-goal attempts. He’s also connected on all 62 extra-point kick attempts this season.

Entering the playoffs, Fellowship shares seventh among Class AA schools in the GHSFD rankings.

(Photos by Larry Moore and Leigh-Ann Thompson)

Sweet 16 Bound: Fellowship Opens State Playoffs with Victory over Redan High School

Not only has the Fellowship Christian School varsity football team qualified for the state playoffs in each of the past eight seasons, but the Paladins are Sweet 16 bound for the eighth consecutive postseason.

Oh, and by the way, Josh Milhollin is on quite a roll.

The senior wide receiver and defensive back has scored six out of the Paladins’ 10 touchdowns over the past two games, including four scores in a 42-14 victory over Redan High School of Stone Mountain to open the GHSA Class AA Football Championships at Bob Lord Field on Veteran’s Day.

In Fellowship’s sixth straight victory, Milhollin caught two TD passes from sophomore signal caller Jonathan Granby, returned a punt for a touchdown and added a second-quarter Pick Six as the Paladins advanced to the Sweet 16 on Nov. 11. FCS, the No. 1 seed from Region 8, faces No. 2 North Murray High School (Region 7) on Nov. 17 in the Sweet 16 at home. The Mountaineers defeated No. 3 South Atlanta High School (Region 6) on the road Nov. 11.

“What a victory,” head coach John Thompson said. “I felt like we had had a great week of preparation. I’m really happy with the way our guys are bonding and playing together as a team. We played a pretty good football game with the pressure on. When you reach the state playoffs, you face a great team every week. You lose and the season’s over. But I felt like our defense did a good job slowing down their run game, which is very good. The boys responded well. And what can you say – that Millie can play. Josh Milhollin is an unbelievable football player. I have no doubt he can play at any level. He can make a big play at any point of the game. But lucky for us, he’s not the only one. We have plenty of big play guys – Jonathan [Granby], CJ [Givers], Evan [Haynes] and many others. That’s what we need in the playoffs. Big plays, strong offensive line play, solid defense, consistency and execution.”

Fellowship, 9-2 overall, is one victory away from reaching 10 wins for the seventh time over the last eight seasons.

The Paladins, who edged Union County High School, 28-21, at home on Nov. 2 to wrap up the Region 8 championship, jumped out to a 21-7 halftime lead and added three more scores in the third quarter against the Raiders.

“Our defense was on the field for a long time today, but we only gave up two scores,” Thompson said. “With the explosiveness that our offense showed today by Jonathan, Evan, Millie and CJ, and really good blocking by the O Line, it allows us to not panic when our defense stays on the field for such a long time. A good win over a very athletic and tough team. On to the next round. The playoffs are fun.”

Givers – FCS’ star sophomore tailback – scored on the first of two TD runs to get FCS on the scoreboard first at 7:10 of the first quarter. Senior kicker Nathan Chapman booted the first of six consecutive extra points to put Fellowship up 7-0. That 3-yard TD run capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that included a 40-yard catch and run over the middle by Haynes, a junior, on a 3^rd-and-12 play from the FCS 33-yard-line.

Redan, the fourth seed from Region 5, tied the game on a 1-yard TD run to finish a 17-play, 80-yard drive at 7:12 of the second quarter. The Raiders finished the season 4-7 overall.

But the Paladins scored the next three touchdowns to take control the game.

Milhollin grabbed a 14-yard TD catch at 7:12 of the second quarter and capped the first-half scoring with a 55-yard interception return with 3:32 left in the half. He stepped in front of a Raider receiver and sprinted to the end zone.

On 3^rd-and-6 from the 14-yard-line, Granby found a wide-open Milhollin in the right side of the end zone. It ended a six-play, 55-yard drive that included Haynes’ reception over the middle that went for 32 yards on 3^rd-and-5 from midfield just three plays before Milhollin’s score.

Milhollin’s Pick Six ended the next Redan drive.

On the Raiders’ next possession, they drove 56 yards to the FCS 24-yard-line with 1:11 left in the half before seniors Caden Coffin and James Burrell registered a quarterback sack on 1^st-and-10, and Givers and junior Al Thompson stopped the Raiders on a very short run on the next play. Redan’s 38-yard field attempt missed the mark late in the half.

The Paladins started the second half with the ball and scored for the third time in four possessions as Givers scored again on an 8-yard run at 8:14 of the third quarter. That play ended an 11-play, 65-yard drive.

Following Redan’s 5-yard TD run with 3:15 left in third to make it 28-14, Fellowship put the game away with two more Milhollin scores.

On FCS’ next offensive series after the second Redan TD, Milhollin scored on a 20-yard TD pass play with 2:15 left in the third to give the Paladins four scores on its first five offensive possessions. He then returned a punt 45 yards, including a nifty change of direction at the Raider 30-yard-line, with 16.8 seconds left in the third.

Milhollin’s TD catch wrapped up a 64-yard drive on six plays. Early in the drive, Milhollin picked up 10 yards for a first down, followed by Thompson’s 13-yard run and Granby’s scramble for 16 yards.

Fellowship drove from its 14-yard-line to inside the Redan 40-yard-line to run out the clock with 10 run plays and a pair of completions by freshman quarterback Davis Ferguson.

It was the first-ever varsity football meeting between Fellowship and Redan.

Fellowship outgained Redan, 342-335, in the game, which included a 203-114 passing advantage.

Granby completed 11-of-15 pass attempts for 195 yards and two scores, while Ferguson was 2-for-2 for eight yards. Haynes and Milhollin both grabbed four passes. Haynes finished with 102 receiving yards, and Milhollin had 83.

FCS finished with 139 rushing yards, led by Givers with 39 and two scores.

Junior Charles Sharp led the Paladins with 10 tackles (five solo, five assists), while Givers finished with nine total stops (four solo, five assists). Junior Dontavious Carter finished with eight tackles (one solo, seven assists), while Thompson (five solo, two assists) and freshman James Sharp (three solo, four assists) notched seven tackles apiece.

(Photos by Milo Falcon)

Week 11 Preview: Fellowship Opens State Playoffs at Home Against Redan

For the eighth consecutive season, the Fellowship Christian School varsity football team has qualified for the state playoffs.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, the Paladins open the GHSA Class AA Football Championships against Redan High School of Stone Mountain at Bob Lord Field. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.

Fellowship, the top seed from Region 8, wrapped up the regular season with a 28-21 comeback victory over Union County High School at home to wrap up the Region Championship.

Redan, the fourth seed from Region 5, beat Landmark Christian School, 59-0 at home in its last game on Oct. 26. The team’s won two out of its last three contests and finished the regular season 3-3 in Region contests and 4-6 overall.

With the win over Union County, FCS improved to 5-0 in Region games and 8-2 overall. The team enters the playoffs on a five-game win streak.

Head coach John Thompson said the game plan is pretty simple against the Raiders.

“We need to have a solid game,” Thompson said. “They are very talented and very athletic. They are big up front and will try and pound the football against us. They will not retreat from the run game. If we happen to have success stopping them, then they will keep on doing it. So, we need to be physical and stop the run consistently. We need to control the run game and have Jonathan [Granby] spread the ball out like he’s been doing. Kicking will also be a major factor. Nate [Chapman] has been an exceptional weapon.”

In 2023, Chapman is perfect in nine field-goal attempts. He’s also connected on all 55 extra-point kick attempts this season.

Entering the playoffs, Fellowship shares seventh among Class AA schools in the GHSFD rankings.

This season, FCS has scored 403 points and has allowed 226 points. Redan has picked up 224 points this season and has allowed 220 points.

The Paladins have registered 3,534 yards this season, including 2,159 rushing and 1,375 passing. FCS holds a 2,159 to 2,036 rushing advantage over its opponents this season.

Fellowship’s leading rusher in 2023 is sophomore CJ Givers, who has 180 carries, 1,278 yards and 19 touchdowns. Granby has collected 351 yards and 10 TDs on 58 attempts. Junior Al Thompson has earned 261 yards on 27 carries with four scores.

Granby has completed 79-of-138 attempts for 1,323 yards and 11 scores. He’s thrown just one interception and has been sacked just four times in 2023.

Senior Josh Milhollin, who had two interceptions in the victory over Union County, leads FCS receivers with 41 receptions, 723 yards and seven TD catches. Junior Evan Haynes has registered 23 catches, four scores and 456 yards. Givers has caught seven passes for 72 yards.

Milhollin is FCS’ all-time leader with 153 catches, 2,604 receiving yards and 19 TD grabs.

Junior Charles Sharp (23 solo, 36 assists) and James Burrell (30 solo, 29 assists) share the Fellowship defense lead with 59 tackles apiece. Thompson ranks third with 51 tackles (29 solo, 22 assists)

Burrell and Petty are 1-2 on the club with nine and seven tackles for a loss, respectively. They both have four sacks to share the lead.

Milhollin is first on the Paladins with three interceptions, followed by Haynes with two.

(Photos by Milo Falcon and Leigh-Ann Thompson)