McIntosh Returns To GHSA 5A Semi Finals With 3-2 Win Over Grady

On Saturday, the McIntosh Chiefs hosted the Grady Knights in the Georgia High School Association 5A quarter finals. The match up would be a rematch from last year's GHSA 5A semi finals where the Chiefs defeated the Knights 4-1 and went on to win the 5A state championship. With the game just minutes underway, the Chiefs would jump on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead thanks to freshman Mason Harris' goal at the 33:55 mark of the first half.

Throughout the remainder of the first half, a stingy McIntosh defense would keep the Knights from scoring and the Chiefs would maintain their 1-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, Grady's offense would get a little more aggressive as they would get several shots on goal but it would not be until the 16:07 mark of the half that the Knights would finally tie the game up, 1-1 after a goal by senior Ahkil Russ.

As the half continued, Pierce Strong would appear to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead after a fast break shot, but the referee would waive off the point, saying there was a penalty on the Knights prior to the shot. However, on the ensuing penalty kick, Dylon Boerstler would score regardless and the Chiefs would take a 2-1 lead. As action continued, another McIntosh fast break lead by Salam Agbaje would lead to a score by Agbaje and suddenly McIntosh was up 3-1 with 7:13 remaining in the contest.

Almost two minutes later, Grady would respond with a goal by Kevin Dorcinvil and the Knights would trail 3-2 with 5:29 to go. Grady would get manage to keep the Chiefs from scoring the rest of the game, but several shots on goal by the Knights would come up empty and McIntosh would pick up the 3-2 victory. The win sends the Chiefs back to the GHSA 5A semi finals for the second year in a row as they look to repeat as GHSA 5A champions. Watch highlights from the match below now!