A-Public GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 1

The Clinch County Panthers are the two time defending Class-A Public champions. The Panthers have advanced to the second round for six out of the last seven years. They’ve also won three state titles during that time span. The Panthers are averaging 35.8 points per game while surrendering 14.5 points per game. Clinch has won six consecutive games and has beaten four playoff teams this season.

The ECI Bulldogs have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. The Bulldogs have won four of their last five games. ECI is averaging 28.4 points per game while their defense is allowing 21.2 points per game. We like for Clinch to roll at home. Panthers by 17.

The Bowdon Red Devils are into the second round of the playoffs for the first time in four years. The Red Devils got off to a fast start before getting derailed by Christian Heritage and Darlington. The Red Devils have since gotten back on track with two consecutive wins to close out the regular season. Bowdon is averaging 19.2 points per game, while the defense is allowing 14.7 points per game.  They have defeated four playoff teams this season.

The Warren County Screaming Devils are into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2007. This year also marks the first time Warren County has been in the playoffs since 2010. The Screaming Devils have defeated two playoff teams this season. The Devils are led by a trio of backs, Dairon Jones (762 yards, 13-TDs), Travis Moss (606 yards, 8-TDs) and A.J. Stanford (582 yards, 7-TDs). These backs have helped pace Warren County to over 2,700 yards rushing as a team. Bowdon has not lost at home this season. This game should be close. We like the Red Devils by 3.

The Irwin County Indians are in the second round of the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The Indians have advanced to the Finals four out of the previous five seasons. In 9 games this season, the Indians have given up 22 total points. That’s 2.4 points per game. Irwin has shutout their last five opponents. The Indians have defeated four playoff teams on the season. They may also have the most dynamic backfield with players like D.J. Lundy, Gabriel Benyard, Kam Ward and Garland Benyard, the Indians have been difficult to corral.

The Chattahoochee County Panthers scored a mild upset over Washington-Wilkes last week. The win puts the Panthers into the second round of the playoffs for the second year in a row. Chattahoochee County has now won three games in a row. They’ve allowed a total of 7 points in their last three games. They are averaging 21 points per game on offense and allowing 18.9 points per game. The Panthers will fight, but Irwin County has too many weapons this week. We like the Indians by five touchdowns.

The Johnson County Trojans are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. That year, the Trojans made a run to the quarterfinals. The Trojans are averaging 36.4 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 17.2 points per game. The Trojans only two defeats this season were to Savannah Country Day by a combined 8 points in the team’s two meetings. The Trojans have defeated two playoff teams this season.

The Manchester Blue Devils shutout Taylor County last week to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Manchester is averaging 34.4 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 15.9 points per game. The Blue Devils have defeated four playoff teams this season. Both teams look evenly matched this week. We like Manchester to win on the road in a tightly contested game. Blue Devils by 5.