We move on to the second round of the 3A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, all of the #1 seeds advanced to the second round. Region 7 advanced 3 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between Cedar Grove-Benedictine, GAC-Cook, Pierce County-Hart County and Peach County-Calhoun. 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 Cedar Grove Saints are in the second round of the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Saints are the defending 3A champions. Cedar Grove has won seven straight games and has not given up more than 17 points in a game during that stretch, which also includes four shutouts. The Saints have defeated five playoff teams this season. Cedar Grove is the only team from Region 5 remaining in the playoffs.
The Benedictine Cadets bounced back from their season finale loss to advance to the second round for the eighth year in a row. The Cadets have now shut out four opponents on the season. The Cadets are 7-1 when scoring 30+ points in a game this year. This is a rematch of a quarterfinal game from a year ago. We believe the Cadets will get on the board this week against Cedar Grove, but we like the Saints by 16.
The Skinny
The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the eighth straight season. The Spartans have now won 10 in a row after their season opening loss to Lovett. The Spartans have defeated six playoff teams this season. They have scored 30+ points in eight of their games.
The Cook Hornets held off Windsor Forest to advance to the second round for the second time in three years. The win was the second for Cook over a playoff team this season. The Hornets have won three of their last four games. We like GAC this week, too many weapons. Spartans by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Pierce County Bears advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years. Pierce is undefeated on the season and has a defense that has allowed only 9.9 points per game. The Bears have scored over 40 points in nine of their games this season. They have defeated six playoff teams this season.
The Hart County Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Bulldogs have now won four straight games. They’ve also defeated five playoff teams on the season. The Bulldogs are undefeated when scoring 26+ points in games this season. While Hart County might score 26 this week, we still like Pierce County by 4.
The Skinny
The Peach County Trojans have reached the second round of the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive time. Since 1991, they have been to at least the second round in all but seven seasons. The Trojans only loss was a 1-point setback to Houston County back in mid-September. Peach has defeated six playoff teams this season. Last week against Brantley County, Peach was held to their lowest point production of the season.
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets advanced to the second round for the 19th consecutive season. Calhoun has now won seven straight games. The Yellow Jackets have not given up more than 14 points in a game during this win streak. Calhoun has now defeated five playoff teams this season. This game is a rematch of a 2018 semifinal game. Calhoun probably has revenge on the mind, but we like Peach to prevail. Trojans by 7.