We move on to the second round of the A-Private GHSA Football Playoffs. This preview features matchups between Athens Academy-Brookstone, ELCA-Prince Avenue Christian, Holy Innocents-St. Francis and Darlington-Mt. Paran. 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 Athens Academy Spartans claimed the Region 8 Class A title for the third straight season. They Spartans are in the second round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Spartans are averaging 42.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 7.1 points per game. They have held all of their opponents to 21 points or less this season, including four shutouts.
The Brookstone Cougars are back in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Cougars win last week stopped a two game skid coming into the playoffs. The Cougars are averaging 24.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 22.5 points per game. They have defeated three playoff teams on the season. We believe the Spartans will be too much to handle this week. We like Athens Academy by four touchdowns.
The Skinny
The ELCA Chargers are the four time defending state champion. Earlier this season, ELCA suffered their first region loss since September 4, 2009. The Chargers have bounced back to win six straight games and allow only 30 points during that stretch. The Chargers defense has shutout three of their last opponents. ELCA has defeated five playoff teams this season. Keaton Mitchell has rushed for 1,340 yards and 33-TDs on the season to help lead the Chargers offense that is averaging 55.2 points per game.
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines are in the second round of the playoffs for the ninth straight season. The Wolverines have advanced to the semifinals in each of the four previous seasons. The Wolverines have won their last five games, including two straight shutouts. The Wolverines have defeated four playoff teams this season. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff has passed for 1,946 yards and 25-TDs and Landon Owens has rushed for 904 yards and 10-TDs to help pace Prince Avenue. This game could turn into a shootout. We like the Chargers to pull away late. ELCA by 10.
The Skinny
The Holy Innocents Bears are having a special season. They knocked of ELCA earlier this season and are in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Bears are averaging 40.1 points per game while the defense is allowing only 9.7 points per game. Holy Innocents has shutout five of their opponents this season and have defeated five playoff teams. They are powered on offense by senior running back Michael Cox and quarterback Matt Davis.
The St. Francis Knights defeated Trinity Christian to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Knights are winners of four out of their last five games. The Knights are undefeated when they score 34 points or more. Quarterback Josh Gil has passed for 2,027 yards and 19-TDs on the season. Kylan Smith and Hunter Jones have combined to rush for 1,126 yards and 12-TDs. We believe Michael Cox will be too tough to contain this week. We like Holy Innocents by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Darlington Tigers are in the second round for the fourth straight season. The Tigers had won nine straight games before falling to Fellowship Christian in the region title game. The Tigers are averaging 32.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.7 points per game. The Tigers have defeated seven playoff teams this season.
The Mt. Paran Christian Eagles are in the second round of the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. The Eagles are averaging 30.1 points per game but allowing 22.5 points per game. They have defeated two playoff teams this season. We like Darlington at home to keep the Eagles in check. Tigers by 17.