We move on to the second round of the A-Public GHSA Football Playoffs. This preview features matchups between Mitchell County-Turner County, Pelham-Wilcox County, Marion County-Schley County and Lincoln County-Commerce. 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 Mitchell County Eagles are in the second round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Mitchell County is averaging 50.8 points per game while the defense is allowing only 12 points per game. The Eagles have now won nine consecutive games. They are led on offense by quarterback Quentavious Hunter, who has passed for 1,466 yards and 25-TDs. Hunter has also added 354 yards and 6-TDs on the ground. The Eagles have defeated four playoff teams this season.
The Turner County Rebels are in the second round of the playoffs for the second time in four seasons. The Rebels are averaging 21 points per game while the defense is allowing 23 points per game. Turner County has defeated two playoff teams this season. We like Mitchell County this week by three touchdowns at home.
The Skinny
The Pelham Hornets are in the second round of the playoffs for the fourth straight seasons. The Hornets are averaging 52.8 points per game while the defense is allowing only 5.4 points per game. 36 of those points came in the last game of the season against their rival, Mitchell County. The Hornets have defeated five playoffs team. Quarterback Kendrick Patterson has passed for 1,383 yards, rushed for 358 yards and accounted for 30 total TDs.
The Wilcox County Patriots advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Patriots have won their last three games. This season, they average 35.4 points per game, while the defense is allowing 10.5 points per game. The Patriots have defeated two playoff teams this season. We believe that this is the best matchup in Class A and probably the most underrated game in the state this weekend. Wilcox has played tough against the best A-public has to offer, but we think Pelham edges the Patriots at home by 2.
The Skinny
The Marion County Eagles have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the ninth time in eleven seasons. The Eagles have won five consecutive games coming into this week. They are averaging 34.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 17 points per game. Quarterback Trice McCannon has passed for 1,681 yards and rushed for 681 yards and accounted for 37 total TDs. Brandon Thomas leads the team in rushing with 762 yards on the season and 5-TDs. Linebackers Kendrick Hawkins and Dayterious Chinn have combined for 202 total tackles this season.
The Schley County Wildcats will be making their second visit to Buena Vista this season. The Wildcats have won three of their last four games. They are in the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season. The Wildcats are led on offense by running backs Trent Bevins (1,006 yards, 14-TDs) and Zamon Ross (821 yards, 9-TDs). We expect this game to be a little closer than the 14-0 victory by Marion County, but we like the Eagles to prevail again…Marion County by 6.
The Skinny
The Lincoln County Red Devils are in the second round of the playoffs for the third time in four years. The Red Devils are winners of their last six games and have defeated two playoff teams this season. Kolbi Ferguson, who’s rushed for 1,189 yards and 26-TDs this season, leads Lincoln County on offense.
The Commerce Tigers are back into the second round of the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Commerce has won four straight games coming into this week. They are averaging 37.4 points per game and allowing 16.2 points per game. The Tigers have defeated two playoff teams this season. The Tigers should keep this game close all night, but we like Lincoln County by a touchdown this week.