We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. We now turn our attention to class 3A This will be a four part series. This preview features games between Appling County – Morgan County, Southeast Bulloch – Upson-Lee, North Hall – North Murray and GAC – Franklin 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 Appling County Pirates are the No. 2 seed from Region 1. The Pirates are in the post season for the fourth consecutive year. Appling County had won their first nine games before falling to region rival Pierce County last week. The Pirates have defeated five playoff teams this season. They are averaging 41.5 points per game and allowing 12.7. They have scored over thirty points five times this season.
The Morgan County Bulldogs are the No. 3 seed from Region 4. The Bulldogs are in the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Morgan County enters the playoffs on a three-game win streak. They have defeated three playoff teams this season. They are averaging 25.2 points per game while allowing 10.5 points. During their previous four appearances, Morgan County has not advanced past the first round. We believe that trend continues this week. We like the Pirates by 24.
The Skinny
The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets are the Region Champions from Region 3. The Jackets are in the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years. This was their first title since 1994. Southeast only played one region opponent due to the decision made by Savannah-Chatham Schools only playing a school system schedule. Nevertheless, the Jackets won the game that counted most and will host a playoff game Friday night. Southeast is averaging 25.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.3. They have defeated four playoff teams this year.
The Upson Lee Knights are the No. 4 seed from Region 2. The Knights are in the post-season for the fifth time in six years. Upson-Lee does most of their damage on the ground. Running back Detravious Mathis is the team’s leading rusher. Upson Lee has defeated one playoff team this season. They are averaging 24.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.8 points per game. Even though the Knights are on the road, we think they can pull the upset this week in a thriller. We like Upson-Lee by 3.
The Skinny
The North Hall Trojans are the No. 2 seed from Region 7. The Trojans are in the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years. North Hall is almost exclusively run. They have attempted 56 total passes this season. Clark Howell has been the bell-cow for the Trojans with 1,483 yards on the ground with 21-TDs. Overall, the Trojans have rushed for 2,815 yards and 33-TDs. North Hall dropped their first three games but closed out the season winning six of their last seven. They are averaging 27.7 points per game but allowing 27 points per game.
The North Murray Mountaineers are the No. 3 seed from Region 6. North Murray is in the playoffs for the fifth straight season. North Murray has won four of their last five games entering the post season. They can also light up the scoreboard. Only once have they been held to less than 28 points. They are averaging 39.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 28.5 points per game. They have defeated one playoff team this season. We suspect this game will be high scoring. We believe that favors the Mountaineers. We like North Murray by 7.
The Skinny
The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans are the Region 5 Champions. Since 1995 the Spartans have only missed the playoffs twice. Greater Atlanta Christian is led by quarterback Deyon Fleming who has thrown for 1,441 yards and 18-TDs. Brooks Miller is the team’s leading receiver with 7-TDs. Greater Atlanta has defeated five playoff teams on the season. They are averaging 28.7 points per game and allowing 13 points.
The Franklin County Lions are the No. 4 team from Region 8. The Lions are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Franklin County won their first five games but have gone 2-2 down the stretch. They have defeated one playoff team this season. Franklin County is averaging 27.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.4 points per game. The Lions have not had the success against the top tier teams on their schedule. For that reason, we like Greater Atlanta Christian this week by four touchdowns.