We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. We now turn our attention to class 2A This will be a two-part series. This preview features games between Dodge County – Thomasville, Callaway – Lovett, Rabun County – Model and Early County – Bleckley County.
Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night. As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment and share.
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The Skinny
The Dodge County Indians advanced to the second round for the sixth time in seven years. However, they have not advanced past round two since 1999. The Indians shut out Swainsboro to notch their third shutout of the season. Dodge has also won five straight games. They will host the Thomasville Bulldogs. Coach Zach Grage has the Bulldogs in the second round for the fourth straight year. Thomasville narrowly missed out on a region title in a one-point loss to Fitzgerald. We believe the Bulldogs defense can keep Daylon Gordon in check just enough to get a big road win. We like the Bulldogs by 8.
The Skinny
The Callaway Cavaliers advanced to the second round for the twelfth time in thirteen years. The Cavs are led by multi-year starter Demetrius Coleman at quarterback and running backs Charlie Dixon and LaQuize Gilbert. While the Cavs did not play last week, they are certainly battle tested coming out of Region 5. They will host the Lovett Lions, who ended up with the No. 3 seed due to the “interesting” Region 6 tiebreaker. In any event, the Lions are in the second round for the fourteenth time in sixteen years. Lovett’s defense has been pretty stingy, surrendering an average of 8.8 points per game. We believe the Cavs might be the most explosive team that Lovett has faced to date. However, we don’t expect a blowout. Callaway by 5.
The Skinny
The Rabun County Wildcats have advanced to the second round for the seventh consecutive season. The Wildcats have won eight straight games and are led by one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the country, Gunner Stockton. Rabun County will host the Model Blue Devils. Model reached the second round for the first time since 2014. The Blue Devils have now won three straight. However, defeating Rabun County is much easier said than done. Too much Stockton, Lang Windham and Adriel Clark on offense. We like the Wildcats by five touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Early County Bobcats got a big road win last week and advance to the second round for the first time since 2015. Early County has flexed their offensive muscle their last four games as they have put up at least 42 points in those contests. They will host Bleckley County, who upset No. 1 seed Vidalia. Perhaps it wasn’t an upset, since Bleckley County beat Vidalia earlier this season by 7. The Royals exploded for 56 points last week and left no doubt that they mean business this post season. The Royals advanced to the second round for the first time since 2013. The big questions is whether or not they can slow down Ladarius Ceaser and the rest of the Bobcats ground game. It won’t be easy, but we believe they certainly can. We like the Royals this week by 6 on the road.