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 Crisp County – Windsor Forest, Richmond Academy – Brantley County, Monroe Area – Cedar Grove and Rockmart – White County.
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The Skinny
The Crisp County Cougars are the No. 2 seed from Region 2. They are in the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Quarterbacks A.J. Lofton and Ahmad Brown have combined to rush for 1,138 yards and 10-TDs. Meanwhile, running back Marquis Palmer has rushed for 501 yards and 7-TDs. Defensively, Chris Paul Jr. leads the team with 70 total tackles and Nick Mercer leads the team with 10 sacks. J’kobe Harris has intercepted five passes on the year and the defense has forced 22 turnovers. Crisp County has won three straight entering the playoffs. They are averaging 26.7 points per game while allowing 7 points per game. No team has scored more than 14 points on them all season.
The Windsor Forest Knights are the No. 3 seed from Region 3. The Knights are in the post season for the fourth consecutive season. After dropping their first game to New Hampstead, Windsor Forest has won six straight games. The Knights are averaging 28.1 points per game while the defense is allowing a paltry 4.5 points per game. Windsor Forest has defeated three playoff teams. This game has the makings of a defensive struggle. We believe Crisp’s defense is one of the best in Class 3A and we like them over the Knights this week. Cougars by 14.
The Skinny
The Richmond Academy Musketeers are the Region 4 Champion. They’ve now qualified for the post season four straight times. Richmond Academy won their first region title since 1976. The Musketeers enter the post season on a six-game win streak. They have defeated five playoff teams this season. Richmond Academy is averaging 28.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.9
The Brantley County Herons are the No. 4 seed from Region 1. The Herons are the playoffs for the third time in five years. Kellon Middleton leads the offense in rushing and receiving and has tallied 396 yards of offense and 3-TDs. R.J. Bryan leads the team in total tackles and tackles for loss. The Herons are averaging 10.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 31.8 points per game. Richmond Academy should win this game handily. We like them by five touchdowns this week.
The Skinny
The Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes are the No. 2 Seed from Region 8. The Purple Hurricanes are in the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Alan Jones and Mason Bryan leads the way at running back with a combined 1,521 yards and 9-TDs on the season while Bryant Olson leads the team in receiving with 35 receptions for 634 yards and 7-TDs. Monroe Area enters the playoffs as winners of their last two games. They have defeated five playoff teams and are averaging 25.4 points per game while allowing 14.6.
The Cedar Grove Saints are the No. 3 seed from Region 5. The Saints are the two-time defending state champions in Class 3A. This is their 11th consecutive playoff appearance. The Saints had to forfeit their first four games of the season due to the use of an ineligible player. Otherwise they would have probably gone undefeated and relatively unchallenged with the exception of the 7-point win over Milton. Nevertheless, they were averaging 35.2 points per game and allowing 7 points in the regular season. We expect them to beat Monroe Area handily on Friday. Saints by 28.
The Skinny
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets are the Region 6 Champions. The Yellow Jackets are in the post-season for the fifth consecutive season. Quarterback Javin Whatley has thrown for 684 yards and 7-TDs and rushed for 878 yards and 9-TDs. Sophomore receiver Dennis Sims leads the team with 13 receptions for 315 yards and 4-TDs. Keyshaun McCollough leads the defense in total tackles while Deidric Gibson has intercepted five passes in the secondary. Rockmart has won eight straight games since their opening week loss to Rome. Rockmart is averaging 41.6 points per game and allowing 14 points per game. They have defeated three playoff teams this seasons.
The White County Warriors are the No. 4 seed from Region 7. White County is in the playoffs for the third time in four years. The Warriors have won their last three games of the season and surprisingly really thumped the region champion by 41 points last week. Quarterback J Ben Haynes is the engine for the Warriors offense. White County is averaging 40.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.6. They have not scored less than 28 points this season. White County has defeated three playoff teams this year. This game should be entertaining with quarterbacks J. Ben Haynes and Javin Whatley battling each other. We expect a high scoring game that will also be close. We like Rockmart by 8.