We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. We now turn our attention to class 3A This will be a two-part series. This preview features games between Cherokee Bluff – Carver-Atlanta, Pierce County – Central Macon, Richmond Academy – Crisp County and Rockmart – Cedar Grove.
Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night.
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The Skinny
With each passing week, the Cherokee Bluff Warriors continue to make school history. They won their first playoff game last week with a big win over LaFayette. They will host another playoff game this week as the Carver Atlanta Panthers come calling. Carver advanced to the second round for the first time in three years. The Panthers have an imposing offensive line and talented linebackers, but we just aren’t sure they can score enough points this week. We believe it will be close, but we like the home team Bears to win by 5.
The Skinny
Pierce County picked up their fifth consecutive win last week and have now advanced to the second round for the seventh time in eight years. The Bears had their best point production of the season as they scored 59 on Burke County. They will host the Central Macon Charges who advanced past the first round for the first time since 1975, when they went on to win a state title. These two teams met last year in the first round of the playoffs with Pierce County winning big. We believe the Chargers have improved over last season, but don’t believe they can match the Bears score for score. We like Pierce by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Richmond Academy Musketeers recorded their second shutout of the season and have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Richmond Academy has reeled off seven consecutive wins. They will host the Crisp County Cougars who also recorded a shutout last week. It was their fourth of the season and the Cougars have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Crisp’s only loss was by one point to Peach County. The Cougars have one of the stingiest defenses in Class AAA. We believe that will be the difference on Friday night. Crisp County by 17.
The Skinny
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets advanced to the second round for the fifth straight season. Rockmart outlasted White County for their ninth consecutive victory. The prize for the victory is a date with the two-time defending state champion Cedar Grove Saints. Cedar Grove had gone undefeated for most of the season but had to forfeit four games this season which dropped them to the No. 3 seed. It should be interesting to see if Cedar Grove’s defense can contain dual threat quarterback Javin Whatley. This will be the most prolific offense that Cedar Grove has faced this season. We don’t expect a track meet here, but we do believe the Cedar Grove defensive front will put enough pressure on Whatley to disrupt Rockmart’s offense. We like the Saints by 7.