Class AAA Playoffs at a Glance
Region Champions: Thomasville, Peach County, Calvary Day, Harlem, Cedar Grove, Adairsville, Dawson County, Stephens County
Best First Round Matchup: Dawson County vs. Monroe-Area
Round 1 Upset Alert (#1 Seeds): Dawson County; Harlem
Toughest Road to the Title for a Region Champ: Calvary Day
Our Final Four Picks: Carver-ATL; Sandy Creek; Cedar Grove; Oconee County
The Dark Horse: Carver-Columbus
Our State Champion: Cedar Grove
The Cedar Grove Saints are a heavy favorite to win Class AAA once again. They have played some of the top competition regardless of classification this season. And while we believe they should make it to the title game. There are certainly some potential stumbling blocks along the way. The Calvary Day Cavaliers could be one of those stumbling blocks as they have one of the top quarterbacks in the classification in Jake Merklinger. Let’s not forget about Region 8, tucked away primarily in the Northeast corner of the state. All four teams in Region 8 are battled tested, especially region champ Stephens County. There is potential for a Stephens vs Peach County matchup in the quarterfinals. And then there is traditional power Thomasville, who started slow, but finished the season as region champs. They could certainly be primed for a final four run. And last but not least, the Dawosn County Tigers continue to find their way into the post season. If they can get past Monroe Area in the first round, we believe they could find themselves still alive come December.
In spite all of the thought process, we still believe that Region 5 will have three teams advance to the semifinals. And just like most other prognosticators, we believe that Cedar Grove will win the AAA state title.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Dawson County Tigers have qualified for the state tournament for the eighth straight season. During his tenure at Dawson County, Coach Sid Maxwell has never missed the postseason. Dawson County has won their last six games entering the playoffs and have defeated three teams that have qualified for post season play. The Tigers are averaging 27.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.9. They average 180.2 yards per game on the ground and 109.3 yards per game through the air. Elijah Smith and Kade Moledor lead the Tigers in rushing with a combined 1,202 yards and 10-TDs. Moledor also leads the team in total tackles while Cade Adams leads the defense with 10-sacks.
Monroe-Area has played one of the more challenging schedules in Class 3-A. They are in the post season for the seventh straight year. The Purple Hurricanes have played 8 teams that qualified for the playoffs. They have defeated three of those teams. The Canes have won three out of their last five games entering the post season. Offensively they are averaging 120.5 yards per game through the air and 226.7 yards per game on the ground. Dual threat quarterback Jeremiah Anderson leads the team in passing (1,205 yards, 7-TDs) and has rushed for a team leading 711 yards and 8-TDs. Jahlun Flud is the leading receiver for Monroe Area with 32 catches for 450 yards and 3-TDs.
Dawson County will need to be weary of this No. 4 seed. Monroe Area has played a tough schedule that should prepare them well for this week. Expect for Monroe Area to make this game very interesting. We like Dawson, but it should be nip and tuck. Tigers by 2.
The Skinny
The Lumpkin County Indians are experiencing one of their best seasons in recent memory. The Indians have tied the school records for wins and won the most games since 1976. Lumpkin County has defeated three playoff teams this season and are winners of three of their last five games. The Lumpkin offense is averaging 157.4 yards per game through the air and 199.3 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Cooper Scott has thrown for 1,480 yards, rushed for 555 yards and accounted for 23 total TDs. Running back Mason Sullens leads the team in rushing with 1,074 yards and 17-TDs. Cal Falkner leads the team in receiving (42 receptions, 645 yards, 9-TDs and also leads the secondary with 4 interceptions.
The Oconee County Warriors are back into the postseason for the 9th straight season. The Warriors have defeated four playoff teams on the year. Oconee County is the 3-seed in their region based on a coin flip as the tiebreaker for Region 8. They closed the season winning three of their last five games. Oconee County is averaging 25.9 points per game and allowing 15.6. They have not lost s game by more than 7 points this season. Expect for Whit Weeks to contribute on both sides of the ball this week, just as he had done during the regular season.
Lumpkin County is certainly in uncharted territory this season making it into the post season, while Oconee County has the playoff pedigree over the last few seasons. We expect for Lumpkin coach Heath Webb to come up with a great game plan to derail Oconee County. However, we believe the Warriors are a little more talented at the skill positions. Oconee by 9.
The Skinny
The Mary Persons Bulldogs have reached the postseason for the second straight season. It’s also the 11th time in 12 years that the Bulldogs have advanced to the playoffs. Mary Persons has defeated three playoff bound teams this seaosn. The Bulldogs offense is averaging 154.5 yards per game through the air and 223 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Logan Hickman has thrown for 1,545 yards and 20-TDs. Meanwhile, running back Duke Watson has rushed for 1,594 yards and 14-TDs and is averaging 8.7 yards per carry. Kham Little is the leading receiver for the Bulldogs with 28 receptions for 542 yards and 7-TDs.
The Dougherty Trojans are back in the playoffs for the second straight season. Dougherty started the season red-hot, winning their first eight games, but have faltered down the stretch and dropped their last two games. The Trojans have defeated three playoff bound teams this season. They are averaging 30.2 points per game and allowing 19.6 points per game. Dougherty has a relatively balanced attack. Quarterback Kameron Davis is a dual threat quarterback who leads the Trojans in passing and rushing this season.
Dougherty ran into to two pretty stout ball clubs the last two weeks of the season. They are still a pretty dangerous football team. Will Mary Persons be able to run the ball successfully this week? We don’t believe so. We like Dougherty by 6.
The Skinny
The Stephens County Indians won their first region title since 2007. This is the second straight year they have qualified for the playoffs. Stephens County had won seven straight games before getting picked off last week by Hebron Christian. They are averaging 30.2 yards per game and allowing 13.5. The Indians have a relatively balanced offense, averaging 170 yards per game through the air and 156.9 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Ben Stowe has thrown for 1,613 yards and 15-TDs. His top receivers have been Cam’ron Lacy, (39 receptions, 714 yards, 9-TDs) and Corey Richie (28 receptions, 418 yards, 2-TDs). Javin Gordon is the team’s leading rusher with 718 yards and 11-TDs. The Indians defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 41 times and intercepted 11 passes.
The Wesleyan Wolves qualified for the post-season for the 11th straight season. This was the first time since 2013 that the Wolves finished the regular season below .500. They have won three of their last five games and has defeated two playoff teams this season. The Wolves have gotten most of their offensive production through the air, averaging 215.2 yards per game passing and just 74.4 yards per game on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Ben Brown has thrown for 2,014 yards and 24-TDs. Jamie Tremble is the leading receiver for Wesleyan with 47 receptions for 808 yards and 10-TDs. The Wolves are averaging 23.3 points per game and allowing 21.5.
Wesleyan has played a challenging enough schedule and we don’t expect them to be intimidated by Stephens County this week. Unfortunately, we believe their inability to run the football might do them in. We like Stephens County by two touchdowns.