We move on to the second round of the 5A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Hiram Hornets scored the biggest upset in round won as they beat #1 seed Southwest DeKalb. Region 7 advanced 4 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between Carrollton-Veterans, Ware County-Buford, Griffin-Hiram and Jones County-Cedar Shoals. 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 Carrollton Trojans lost one of their Trojans this past weekend as Chase McDaniel earned his wings in heaven. Our prayers go out to the McDaniels and Carrollton Trojan Football Family. Coach Calhoun shared some of Chase’s story on our podcast earlier this season. Reflecting on that conversation helps remind me that while high school football is important. Life is fleeting and there is so much more to these young men than scoring touchdowns or sacking quarterbacks. While we know the Trojans will be playing with heavy hearts this week. We expect them to win in an emotional game over Veterans.
The Skinny
The Ware County Gators have advanced to the second round for 16 of the last 18 seasons. Ware County has now won five consecutive games. The Gators are 8-0 when they’ve scored 16 points or more this season. Conversely, they are 0-3 when they are held to 7 points.
The Buford Wolves bounced back from their last regular season game to defeat Decatur last Friday. With the win, the Wolves advance to the second round for the 21st consecutive season. The last time Buford did not advance past the second round was in 1999. The Wolves have scored 30 or more points in eight of their games this season. We aren’t sure they will get to 30 points this week against the Gators, but we do like them to win by four on the road.
The Skinny
The Griffin Bears advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season by beating the defending state champions, Bainbridge 21-20 on Friday night. The Bears have now won five consecutive games. Their only loss this season was a 3-point defeat at the hands of Starr’s Mill.
The Hiram Hornets upset No. 1 seed Southwest DeKalb on Friday night. This win marks the firs time the Hornets have advanced to the second round since 2010 and only the third time the Hornets have advanced to the second round in school history. The win stopped a three game losing skid Hiram had closing out their regular season. The Hornets will face another stout defense this week when they travel to Griffin. We like the Bears at home by 9.
The Skinny
The Jones County Greyhounds advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. Jones County has now won 10 games for the third time in school history. The Greyhounds had won nine games before being upended by Stockbridge the final week of the season. The Greyhounds are 10-0 when scoring 23 points or more this season.
The Cedar Shoals Jaguars advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Jaguars have now won four consecutive games. Cedar Shoals is undefeated this season when scoring 14 points or more. We think that the Jaguars will score more than 14 points this week against Jones County, but we like Jones County to win by a touchdown.