We move on to the second round of the 6A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Houston County Bears scored the biggest upset in round won as they beat #1 seed Evans by 10. Region 1 advanced 4 teams into the second round while Region 2 and Region 5 advanced three teams to the second round. This preview features matchups between South Paulding-Houston County, Harrison-Brunswick, Lee County-Creekside and Dacula-Glynn Academy. 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 South Paulding Spartans advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the third time in school history and the first time since 2015. The Spartans have now won three consecutive games. South Paulding has now defeated four playoff teams this season.
Like, South Paulding, the Houston County Bears advance to the second round for the first time since 2015. The Bears have won two straight games after dropping five straight. The Bears are 6-0 when scoring 21 points or more and 0-5 when scoring 20 points or less. The Bears have now defeated four playoff teams and they are the only No. 4 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in Class 6A. This ought to be a nip and tuck battle. We like South Paulding this week by 4.
The Skinny
The Harrison Hoyas advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Hoyas are 11-0 for the first time since 2002. Harrison has now scored 40+ points in eight of their eleven games this season. The 25 points that Winder-Barrow scored were the most allowed by the Hoyas this season. The Hoyas have now defeated five playoff teams.
The Brunswick Pirates have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Brunswick won their second consecutive game and have defeated four playoff teams this season. The Pirates are 6-2 when scoring 21 points or more. We expect for the Pirates to give the Hoyas one of their toughest games of the season, but we like Harrison by 13.
The Skinny
The Lee County Trojans advanced to the second round for the fourth consecutive season. And for the sixth time in seven years. (The Trojans are the back-to-back defending State Champions.) Lee County has now won eight straight games. They are undefeated when they score 24 points or more. The defense has now also recorded four shutouts.
The Creekside Seminoles have won three of their last four games after shutting out Alpharetta last week. They’ve defeated two playoff teams this season. The Seminoles are 1-4 when scoring 22 points or less this season. Creekside’s defense should help make this game interesting, but we like the Trojans to pull away late. Trojans by 24.
The Skinny
The Dacula Falcons won big over Dalton last Friday to advance to the second round for the fourth straight season. The Falcons have not scored less than 24 points in a game this season and have defeated six playoff teams. In the last eight games, the Falcons have not scored less than 34 points.
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the sixth straight year. The Red Terrors have now won four straight games. The Red Terrors have defeated three playoff teams this season. In their four losses this season, the Red Terrors have been held to seventeen points or less. We believe Dacula will be one of the toughest opponents they’ve faced this season. We like the Falcons at home by 10 this week.