We move on to the second round of the 4A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, Americus-Sumter and Madison County scored the biggest upset in round one as they beat #1 seeds Burke County and Ridgeland. Region 8 advanced 4 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between Sandy Creek-Americus Sumter, Mary Persons-Madison County, Carver Columbus-Marist and Oconee County-Perry. 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 Sandy Creek Patriots are in the second round for the first time since 2016. The Patriots are winners of their last four games. They have been held to under 30 points only once this season. The Patriots have score over 40 points in six of their last seven games. They’ve now defeated six playoff teams this season.
The Americus-Sumter Panthers went on the road and upset No. 1 seed Burke County last week to advance to the second round for the second time in three years and only the third time in program history. The win over Burke County was the Panthers first over a playoff team this season. We believe Sandy Creek’s offense will be too much for the Panthers this week. Patriots by 21.
The Skinny
The Mary Persons Bulldogs went on the road and got a big win against Eastside. The Bulldogs advanced to the second round for the ninth consecutive season. Mary Persons has now won two straight games. Mary Persons is undefeated when scoring more than 28 points per game. The Bulldogs have defeated three playoff teams.
The Madison County Red Raiders shocked the No.1 seed Ridgeland Panthers last week to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. Coming into last week’s game, the Red Raiders had lost four out of five games, but they were able to get a big win. Last week’s victory was the first for Madison County against a playoff team this season. We believe Mary Persons is more battle tested. We like the Bulldogs by 10.
The Skinny
The Carver Columbus Tigers advanced to the second round for the second time in four years. Carver has now won 10 games for the first time since 2013. The Tigers only loss came in week one to 5A Harris County. Since then, the Carver offense has not scored less than 34 points in a game. The Tigers are 4-1 against playoff teams this season.
The Marist War Eagles are in the second round of the playoffs for the third year in a row. Last week, Marist got back on track as Connor Cigelske scored six times to lead the way over a scrappy Cedartown team. Marist is 6-1 against playoff teams this season. Can Marist’s ground game neutralize Carver’s explosive offense? We think so. We like the Ware Eagles by a touchdown.
The Skinny
The Oconee County Warriors advanced to the second round for the first time since 2015. The Warriors have now won 9 consecutive games. During that stretch, they have not allowed more than 14 points in a game. Oconee County has defeated eight playoff teams this season.
The Perry Panthers are in the second round for the first time since 2007. Perry enters this week winners of five of their last six games. The Panthers earned their second shutout of the season. Perry has now defeated four playoff teams this season. We like Max Johnson and the Warriors this week. Oconee County by 14.