May 15, 2026 — Rare is the occurrence when both the boys and girls teams from one high school reach their respective state finals in the same season. Such was the case in the 2026 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 6A State Soccer Championships as both Walton Raiders teams advanced to the final matches in Duluth, Georgia. The two teams were Built for Beyond.
Girls Final: Walton vs. West Forsyth
The Walton girls were seeking back-to-back championships, following their 2025 trophy run. Knowing every opponent wanted to knock off the titleholders, the path to the final game proved difficult. After easy early round wins, the Raiders girls battled through a 2-1 nailbiter in the quarterfinals and outlasted a valiant Harrison Hoyas team 2-0 in the semifinals.
 |  |
“Our girls have shown the whole state of Georgia what they're made of and what their ability is,” Walton girls soccer coach Jason Page said when asked about being the team everyone wants to beat. “You know, this is a team full of character. They have battled through some games.”
In the 2026 championship game, the Walton girls controlled the tempo and held possession for most of the match. After a scoreless first half, sophomore Brooklynn Mulberry netted the game’s first goal just 1:45 into the second half.
 |  |
West Forsyth scored an equalizer less than a minute later, however. Despite several chances for Walton to retake the lead and stellar work in net from junior goalkeeper Avianna Owings, their opponents scored a go-ahead goal with 17 minutes on the clock. The Raiders could never pull even.
“We felt we had dictated pretty much the entire game,” Coach Page said after the heartbreaking 2-1 loss. “You know, soccer is a funny game like that. We felt like we knew what they were going to bring. We knew what they had. There weren't any surprises. Our team was very well prepared, and sometimes even as well prepared as you can be, it just doesn't go your way. Unfortunately, tonight was one of those nights.”
Boys Final: Walton vs. Meadowcreek
The Walton boys program might have been as surprised as anyone to find themselves in this year’s title game. While they made it into the second round last season, ask some associated with the team, and they would say they were disappointed in how 2025 turned out. Walton boys soccer coach Bruce Wade was quick to praise this year’s team for growing past recent history.
“Last year was rough for us,” Coach Wade recalled, “and this year we were coming in with a new group. They rose to the occasion, and to have had the type of record and the performances we've had has been fantastic.”
 |  |
The Raiders boys navigated their way through the championship bracket with timely goals and solid defense. With senior keeper Jake Mundy putting a padlock on the goal stripe, Walton surrendered only two goals through four rounds. The championship final would be much of the same.
With an impressive Raider Nation student section on hand in support, the first half of the boys game again went scoreless. It took almost 18 minutes into the second half before the scoreboard would register a goal. Much like the girls game, Walton was the first to strike when senior forward Jawad Khalil found some open space and connected with the back of the net.
Then, with seven minutes left in the game, a Meadowcreek opponent curled in an impressive goal from a difficult angle to tie the game at 1-1. Neither team could manage another goal in regulation time.
After two 10-minute periods of overtime, the game was still knotted at 1-1. The Class 6A boys final would be decided on penalty kicks (PKs). In the end, Meadowcreek prevailed, winning 1-1 (4-3 PKs).
“Both teams played their hearts out,” Coach Wade said matter-of-factly. “It was like two heavyweight boxers going at it for 10 rounds, back and forth, and giving each other the best they have. I’m very proud of our guys. They have great character. We had a great senior class that led this team, and there's a ‘no quit’ mentality in these guys. Losses are never easy to accept, but we have to. We have no choice.”
Finals Thoughts
Both the Walton girls and boys teams were brilliant in their attempts to win titles. Though the outcomes were not what was desired, the effort was championship-worthy.
