We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. We now turn our attention to class 2A This will be a four part series. This preview features games between Thomasville – Westside, Augusta, Dodge County – Swainsboro, and Pepperell – Lovett. It is our understanding that the Callaway – Banks County game has been cancelled and Callaway will move on to the second round.
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 Thomasville Bulldogs are the No. 2 seed from Region 1 and are in the playoffs for the 5th straight year. Thomasville has won four of their last five games with their only loss to Fitzgerald by 1. The Bulldogs will feature a balanced attack led by Quarterback Ronnie Baker who has thrown for 1,587 yards and 17-TDs. Ricordo Johnson (37 receptions, 448 yards, 4-TDs) is his primary target. Baker and Ricky Fulton have also combined to rush for 1,208 yards and 5-TDs. Ty Anderson leads the defense with 92 total tackles. As a team, Thomasville has forced 28 turnovers. They are averaging 32.4 points per game while allowing 18.1. The Bulldogs have defeated four playoff teams this season.
The Westside Augusta Patriots are the No. 3 seed from Region 4. Westside is in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They come into the post season winning five of their last six games, shutting out two of the last three. They have defeated one playoff team this season Westside is averaging 22.9 points per game while allowing 12.3. We believe Westside will be able to score a few points this week, but Thomasville is too strong. Bulldogs by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Dodge County Indians are the Region 1 Champions and are in the post season for the ninth straight year. The Indians enter post season play with a four-game winning streak. They are led on offense by running back Dalvon Gordon who has rushed for 1,093 yards and 13-TDs. Dodge has only attempted 99 passes this season. Keldrick Beck is their leading receiver with 13 receptions for 250 yards and 2-TDs. Safety Mikhail Carr leads the team with 69 total tackles and 3 interceptions. Dodge County is averaging 33.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.2 points. Dodge County has defeated three playoff teams this season.
The Swainsboro Tigers are the No 4 seed from Region 2. The Tigers are in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. Robert Allen leads Swainsboro with 432 yards rushing and 2-TDs, while Frederick and Cedric Seabrough have combined to catch 56 passes for 585 yards and 7-TDs. Zabrien Harden leads the defense with 89 total tackles. The Tigers are averaging 15.4 points per game while allowing 21 points. Swainsboro has defeated two playoff teams this season. The Tigers are a little bit down offensively this season and we don’t believe that bodes well coming into this week. We like Dodge County by 17.
The Skinny
The Pepperell Dragons are the No. 2 seed from Region 7. The Dragons are making their fifteenth playoff appearance in sixteen years. Pepperell is led by running back D.J. Rogers who has rushed for 1,255 yards and 18-TDs. Will Helton and Kolby Davis are tops on the team in total tackles. The defense have forced 16 turnovers this season. Pepperell enters the playoffs on a three-game win streak. They have defeated three playoff teams this season and are averaging 27.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.1.
The Lovett Lions are the No. 3 seed from Region 6. Lovett is in the playoffs for the 19th straight year. The Lions lost out on a region title due to some “creative” COVID tie breaker scenarios. In any event, they are winners of their last three games and have lost their two games by a combined total of 12 points. It has been running back by committee for Lovett. Michael Hollingsworth led the team with 367 yards and 2-TDs. But the Lions have also gotten contributions from Henry Stimmel, Christopher Fielden and Preston Lusink. Stevie Bracey leads the defense with 66 total tackles on the year. Lovett has defeated two playoff teams this season and is averaging 30.2 points per game while allowing only 7.8. We like Lovett and their defense this week by 20.