We move on to the second round of the 2A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, all of the #1 seeds advanced to the second round. Region 1 and Region 2 advanced 3 teams each to play this Friday. This preview features matchups between Jefferson County-Douglass, Callaway-Fitzgerald, Metter-Union County and Rockmart-Brooks County. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!
The Skinny
The Jefferson County Warriors held Vidalia in check last week to advance to the second round for the seventh consecutive season. Jefferson County has now won nine straight games. The Warriors are 4-2 against playoff teams this season. Last week was the first time the Warriors were held to 20 points since August.
The Douglass Astros are in the second round for the third time in four years. The Astros have won five consecutive games and their only loss was to Hapeville Charter. Douglass has now scored 40+ points in seven of their games this season. The Astros are now 3-1 against playoff teams this season. We like the Warriors to outlast the Astros this week. Jefferson County by 7.
The Skinny
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets began their quest to get back to the state title game by defeating Temple last week. The Yellow Jackets have advanced to the second round for the past four seasons. Rockmart was held to their lowest point output all season last week, but they still have not allowed more than 17 points in a game this season. Rockmart has defeated six playoff teams this year.
The Brooks County Trojans ran past Washington County last week to advance to the second round for the 12th consecutive season. The Trojans have now defeated four playoff teams on the year. We like the Trojans to keep this game competitive and expect them to be the toughest opponent Rockmart has faced to date. But we like the Yellow Jackets by a touchdown at home this week.
The Skinny
The Metter Tigers advanced to the second round on the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Tigers have also won ten games for the first time since 2003. Metter got past Screven County last week for their fifth straight win. They’ve now defeated four playoff teams on the season.
The Union County Panthers outlasted South Atlanta last week to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1973. Union County has won 10 games for the first time in school history. The Panthers are 4-1 against playoff teams this season. We expect this game to be close as well. But we like Union County’s air raid to edge the Tigers. Union County by 4.
The Skinny
The Callaway Cavaliers won their tenth straight game last Friday and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the 8th consecutive season. Outside of their shootout with county rival Troup, the Cavaliers have not surrendered more than 14 points in a game. Since that Troup game, they’ve only surrendered 34 total points. (That’s a stretch of seven games.)
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes come calling after their victory over Bleckley County. The Hurricanes are in the second round of the playoffs for the 17th time in 18 seasons. Fitzgerald is 1-3 when they are held to 24 points or less this season. They have defeated four playoff teams this season. We like Callaway this week by two touchdowns