We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. We now turn our attention to class 4A This will be a four part series. This preview features games between Hapeville Charter – Heritage, Jefferson – Mt. Zion Jonesboro, Baldwin – Thomas County Central and Carver – Jenkins.
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 Hapeville Charter Hornets are the No. 2 seed from Region 6. The Hornets are in the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Hapeville has won their last three games entering the playoffs. Two of their three losses have come against playoff teams and not just any teams, but state title contenders. The Hornets have not been as explosive on offense this season, averaging only 16.6 points per game while allowing 18.7. They have however defeated two playoff teams.
The Heritage Generals are the No. 3 seed from Region 7 and are also in the playoffs for the fifth straight season. The Generals have won two of their last three games entering the playoffs. Quarterback Nick Hanson has thrown for 1,355 yards and 10-TDs while Parker McCrary has run for 553 yards and 3-TDs. Logan Lowe and Ryan Heet have combined to catch 55 passes for 709 yards and 6-TDs. Zach Brown leads the team in total tackles with 90 while Kaden Swope has intercepted four passes in the secondary. The Generals are averaging 20.3 points per game while allowing 19.8. We aren’t quite sure that Heritage has seen a defense as good as Hapeville Charters and for that reason alone, we like the Hornets by two touchdowns this week.
The Skinny
The Jefferson Dragons are the Region 8 Champions and are in the playoffs for the 21st time in 23 years. Jefferson beat all comers this year. Their closest game was a 7-point win over Hart County. The Dragons will do most of their damage on the ground. (They’ve only attempted 41 passes this season.) Malachi Starks is dangerous under center. The Junior has rushed for 759 yards and 12-TDs through seven games. As a team, the Dragons have churned out over 2,400 yards on the ground this season. Jefferson is averaging 44.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 8.6. They have defeated five playoff teams this year and have shut out two of their last three opponents coming into this week.
The Mt. Zion Jonesboro Bulldogs are the No. 4 team from Region 5. This is their first playoff appearance since 2009. The Bulldogs enter the playoffs winners of their last two games. In those games, they’ve outscored their opponents 70-15. However, on the season the Bulldogs are averaging 15.4 points per game while allowing 21.1. Mt. Zion has not defeated a playoff team this season. This could be a long night for the Bulldogs. We like Jefferson by seven touchdowns this week.
The Skinny
The Baldwin Braves are the No. 2 seed from Region 4 and since 2002 have only missed the playoffs three times. The Braves were only able to play five games this season and were undefeated until last week’s three-point loss against Perry. Quarterback Derrick Lewis has thrown for 682 yards and 9-TDs while Micah Welch and Jeramiyah Scott have combined for 550 yards and 8-TDs on the ground. Shatavious Hogan leads the team with 274 yards receiving on 15 catches. Baldwin is averaging 32.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.2 points. They have defeated two playoff teams this season.
The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets are the No. 3 seed from Region 1. Thomas County Central returns to post season action after a two-year hiatus. Dondell Green and Tykeem Wallace have combined to rush for 1,033 yards and 15-TDs. Defensively, Jordan Jones has tallied 81 total tackles for the Jackets. Thomas County enters the game winning three of their last five games. They have defeated one playoff team this season and are averaging 22.1 points per game while allowing 25.6. We don’t expect this game to be high scoring, but we do believe Baldwin has enough offense to outlast Thomas County Central. Braves by 10.
The Skinny
The Carver Tigers are the Region 2 Champions and are in the post-season for the 15th consecutive year. The Tigers went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in 10 years. Quarterback Devin Riles has thrown for 1,316 yards and 13-TDs and has also rushed for 419 yards and 9-TDs. Jamari Riley and Jaiden Credle have combined for 1,280 yards and 20-TDs. Meanwhile, William Bonilla leads the team with 30 receptions for 521 yards and 4-TDs. The Carver defense has forced 15 turnovers and recorded 32 sacks. Carver has defeated three playoff teams this season and is averaging 44 points per game while allowing only 12.
The Jenkins Warriors are the No. 4 seed from Region 3. The Warriors are in the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Jenkins enters the playoffs winners of three of their last four games. In those four wins, they are averaging 40.2 points per game while allowing only 9.2, however in their three losses, the Warriors are averaging 11.3 points per game while allowing 28 points per game. The Warriors do have some weapons offensively, but we don’t believe there’s enough to keep pace with the Tigers. Carver by three touchdowns.