Lincoln County commissioners recognize Red Devils after run to state final

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on a January 2026 meeting publicly recognized the Lincoln County High School Red Devils football team for its 2025 season and appearance in the Class A state championship game.

The clerk read a proclamation recounting the Red Devils’ season: 14 consecutive wins leading into the final; a 35–31 loss to Bowden at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on Dec. 15, 2025; a Georgia High School Association finals record of seven league changes in that game; and cumulative scoring of 606 to 130 for the season. The proclamation named first‑team all‑state selections including quarterback McKay Wade, running back Kelby Glaze, linebacker Christian Elam and kicker Fortson Partridge.

During the recognition, the presiding official congratulated the players and coaches and thanked the volunteers and families who supported the team. The presiding official said the team’s players are “homegrown” and suggested some community members have raised questions about the state title and who properly won the championship; that remark was recorded as an expression of concern and was not accompanied by a formal complaint or vote.

The commissioners asked the team and coaches to assemble for photographs and the clerk indicated individual proclamations had been prepared for players and coaches; the clerk also said copies would be distributed to those not present. No policy, funding decision or disciplinary action was taken during the recognition segment.

Details included in the proclamation and read into the record: the Red Devils advanced to the Class A state final played at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on Dec. 15, 2025, lost 35–31 to Bowden, set a GHSA finals record of seven league changes in the game, outscored opponents 606–130 during the season, and had multiple players named to all‑state teams. The proclamation is honorary and contains no implementation instructions.