Locals travel to see Georgia Bulldogs take the title

By Matt Aiken (The Nugget) & Dave Williams (Capitol Beat)

It was a game that was four decades, and four tense quarters, in the making. And it ended with jubilant University of Georgia players and fans reveling in a flurry of red and black confetti falling from the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Monday night.
Finally the Bulldogs had vanquished their longtime Alabama foes to claim the National Championship title by a score of 33-18.
Former Nugget intern Drew Hubbard was on the field in Indy as the squad celebrated.
The recent journalism grad is now the sports editor for the well-read student newspaper The Red & Black.
“Now, the confetti has fallen, the trophy is lifted, and there is only one team left standing,” he wrote.
In the stands Lumpkin County Commissioner Tucker Greene leapt for joy alongside his 17-year-old son Landon. For him there was only one way to describe the night.
“Man, absolutely incredible,” he said. “It’s what dreams are made of. And to experience it with Landon was so cool.”
Dahlonega residents Zack and Lauren Tumlin were there too. Though they were attending as a house divided, since Lauren was ready to roll with another tide victory.
Hardcore UGA fan Zack more than made up for his wife’s lack of enthusiasm over the final result.
Especially when the Dawgs cemented the win with an interception in the final few minutes.
“It was three quarters of dumpster fire football followed by the greatest fourth quarter of football I’ve ever witnessed in my life,” he said. “And you can quote that.”

GAME ON

Back in Georgia, lawmakers didn’t let the start of the 2022 General Assembly session get in the way of big game earlier that day.
The state House and Senate held truncated sessions Monday morning to give legislators time to head to Indianapolis for Monday night’s showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide.
House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, even gaveled his chamber into session 90 minutes earlier than the usual 10 a.m. start time.
“Go Dawgs!” were the last words out of his mouth as he wrapped up the brief floor session.
The House also showed Dawgs highlights on a video screen before and after the session began.
Not to be outdone, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Georgia Tech graduate who presides over the Senate, also wished the Dawgs well in their quest to finally beat Alabama after seven straight losses, including this year’s Southeastern Conference championship game and the 2018 national championship contest.