Southeast Bulloch’s flag football team capped off another dominant season with a well earned celebration at Boro the Hatchet on February 5, 2025.
The local axe-throwing venue invited the team for a night of fun, recognizing their fourth consecutive GHSA Division One State Championship win. The girls finished their season strong, securing the title with a dramatic 13-6 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Devils.
For Boro the Hatchet owner BJ McKellar, this wasn’t just about recognizing another championship, it was about showing the team that the entire community is cheering them on.
“These girls put in the work year after year, and I wanted to do something to show them that it’s not just their families and coaches watching, it’s the whole community,” said McKellar.
A former athlete himself, McKellar knows firsthand the dedication it takes to sustain success in sports. Wanting to make the night even more special, he took the extra step of streaming the team’s season highlights on the venue’s TVs.
“I just went on YouTube and knew the girls had won at least four games, so I put on the ones I could find,” McKellar said.
For Head Coach Marci Cochran, the invitation was a welcome surprise and an opportunity for the team to come together one last time after the season’s end.
“When I got the email, I was super excited about it. We’ve never done something like this before,” Cochran said. “It’s fun to have an outing like this after we win because we don’t get to see each other much after the season’s over. For him to open it up and have us down here is really exciting. The girls seem to be having a great time.”
Reflecting on the championship run, Cochran acknowledged the challenges of losing key players over the past few years but credited the team’s resilience.
“We called this season a ‘changing of the guard’ because we had a lot of new faces stepping up under a lot of pressure. To see them battle back in that last game, especially at the ‘Benz, was pretty special,” she said.
Despite graduating key players in previous years, the future remains bright for the program. Cochran hinted at a few new wrinkles in their playbook for next season.
“We’re only losing two starters, so most of our team is coming back. We’re going to mix in some new plays, try some things out this summer, and be ready to roll again,” she said.
The team will also make history this summer as one of just 16 teams nationwide invited to compete in the first-ever National Flag Football Tournament in Canton, Ohio, from July 18-21.
“We’re flying up there to compete, and we’re going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Cochran said. “Most of the girls here tonight are going, including our seniors, so we’re super excited.”
Events like this aren’t just about celebrating wins, they’re about the bonds that keep a team strong. Cochran emphasized the importance of these moments, even as many of her players balance other sports and commitments.
“We’d love to do more outings like this, but with all the different sports they play, it’s tough to get everyone together,” she said. “But when we can, it’s always worth it.”
With their fourth straight state title secured, a national tournament on the horizon, and a community that continues to show up for them, the Southeast Bulloch flag football team isn’t just making history, they’re enjoying the ride along the way.
And thanks to Boro the Hatchet, they got to do it with a little axe throwing fun and some good food to top it off.
