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 Carver Atlanta – Hart County, Cherokee Bluff – LaFayette, Liberty County – Central Macon, and Pierce County – Burke 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.
All helmet images are courtesy of the Georgia High School Helmet Project. To see all of their work, please visit: http://www.gahelmetproject.com
The Skinny
The Carver Panthers are the No. 2 seed from Region 5. The Panthers are in the playoffs for the 9th consecutive season. Carver is a run heavy team and have tallied over 2,100 yards rushing on the season. Jarveous Brown leads the team with 849 yards and 7-TDs. The Panthers don’t throw it much, attempting only 111 passes. Dialo Mosley leads the team with 77 total tackles while Aquantis Clemmons leads the team with 15 tackles for loss and Tobias Fletcher has intercepted 4 passes this year. Carver is averaging 19.7 points per game while allowing 26.2. The Panthers have won three of their last four games.
The Hart County Bulldogs are the No. 3 seed from Region 8. Since 1993, the Bulldogs have only missed the playoffs twice. Hart County never really got a win streak going this season. In their three wins, they are averaging 46.6 points per game, however, in their five losses, they are averaging 20.5 points per game. Overall, the Bulldogs are averaging 30.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 25.7. While this seems counterintuitive, we are going to go with the Bulldogs. They should have enough offense to outlast Carver on the road. Bulldogs by 5.
The Skinny
The Cherokee Bluff Bears are the Region 7 Champions. The Bears are in the playoffs for the first time in their brief three-year history. It’s also their first region title. Quarterback Sebastian Irons has thrown for 1,212 yards and 13-TDs. Receivers Shad Dabney, Jaylon Justice and Eric Gohman have combined to catch 45 passes for 806 yards and 6-TDs. Meanwhile, Jayquan Smith has rushed for a team high 862 yards and 11.TDs. Garrett Davis leads the team in total tackles. Cherokee Bluff lost their season finale but otherwise were unscathed this season. The Bears are averaging 36 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.2. The Bears have defeated three playoff teams entering this Friday’s contest.
The LaFayette Ramblers are the No. 4 seed from Region 6. The Ramblers are making their first playoff appearance since 1969. LaFayette enters this game losing their last two games of the season. The Ramblers did not beat a playoff teams this season. They are averaging a healthy 34.1 points per game on offense, but the defense is allowing 30.2 points per game. We believe the Bears will have their way with the Ramblers this Friday, we like them by four touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Liberty County Panthers are the No. 2 seed from Region 3. The Panthers are in the post season for the eighth straight season. Liberty County running back Ja’varius Daniels leads the team in rushing with 256 yards and 2-TDs while Meon McCleod leads the team in receiving with 13 receptions for 298 yards and 1-TD. Jaleel Andrew leads the team with 37 total tackles. Liberty County is averaging 12 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.2. They have lost their last three games.
The Central Macon Chargers are the No. 3 seed from Region 2. The Chargers are in the post season for the second year in a row. Dual threat quarterback Jalik Thomas has thrown for 781 yards and 8-TDs but also leads the team with 835 rushing yards and 12-TDs. Maurice Elder has added 645 yards and 9-TDs on the ground. Zaylin Webb has caught a team leading 22 passes for 385 yards and 4-TDs. The Chargers had reeled off five straight wins before falling to Crisp County the last week of the season. They are averaging 26.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.6 Central Macon is on the road, but we believe quarterback Jalik Thomas will be too much for Liberty County. Chargers by 14.
The Skinny
The Pierce County Bears are the Region 1 Champions. It was the third consecutive region title for the Bears who have now qualified for their 10th consecutive playoff appearance. D.J. Bell paces the Peirce County offense with 850 rushing yards and 8-TDs while Maleek Chandel has caught 18 passe for 300 yards and 5-TDs. Quarterback Jermaine Brewton has thrown for 1,051 yards and 17-TDs and is completing 69% of his passes. The defense has recorded 31 total sacks and has forced 15 turnovers. The Bears enter the post season winners of their last 4 games. They are averaging 33.6 points per game and allowing 9.3 points per game. They have defeated seven playoff teams this season.
The Burke County Bears are the No. 4 team from Region 4. Burke County has qualified for the post season for the 14th consecutive time. The Bears are led by sophomore running back Charlie Dorsey (750 yards, 7-TDs) and quarterback Marshall Flowers (1,020 yards, 12-TDs). Burke County has lost three of their last four games entering post season play. They did not defeat a playoff team all season. They are averaging 32.8 points per game, but allowing 32.7 points per game. We like the Pierce County Bears by 27 in this one.