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 Fayette County -North Oconee, Islands – Hardaway, and Bainbridge – Westside, Macon. It is our understanding that the Cedartown Arabia Mountain game has been canceled due to Covid and Cedartown will move on to the second round .
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 Fayette County Tigers are the No. 2 seed from Region 5. Fayette County is in the post season for the first time since 2015. Running back Andre Wright has rushed for 909 yards and 9-TDs while Shaquille Ancrum has added 601 yards and 6-TDs. The Tigers have won four of their last five games and have defeated two playoff teams. The Tigers are averaging 21.4 points per game while allowing 10.3.
The North Oconee Titans are the No. 3 seed from Region 8. North Oconee is in the post season for the third consecutive year. In their previous two appearances, the Titans have advanced to the second round. Coming into the playoffs, North Oconee has won four of their last five games. They have defeated one playoff team this season and are averaging 31.2 points per game while allowing 25.4. If Fayette County can run the ball and control the clock, we like their chances. However, we believe this might be a higher scoring game which we believes favors North Oconee. We like the Titans by 8.
The Skinny
The Islands Sharks are the No. 2 seed from Region 3 and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Sharks also won the most games in school history and will finish with a winning record for the first time in school history. Quarterback Jadon Adams has thrown for 850 yards and 10-TDs while rushing for 413 yards and 9-TDs. Donovan Davelaar has rushed for 422 yards and 5-TDs. The defense has forced 21 turnovers this season. The Sharks are averaging 34.1 points per game while allowing only 6.8. Prior to last week, the Sharks won six straight but were derailed by Windsor Forest.
The Hardaway Hawks are the No. 3 seed from Region 2. The Hawks are in the playoffs for the third consecutive year. They’ve only advanced beyond the first round twice in school history. Running backs Jordan Moultrie (884 yards, 9-TDs) and Kentavious Day (639 yards, 6-TDs) are the team’s top rushers Hardaway has rushed for 2,502 yards and 28 touchdowns as a team. Meanwhile, Sayvion Fuller is the team’s leading receiver with 19 receptions for 289 yards and 3-TDs. Jakeveon Upshaw leads the team with 91 total tackles, while Mykel Williams and Javontae McGill have combined for 23.5 sacks. Hardaway had won six in a row before dropping their last two games of the season. They are averaging 35.6 points per game while allowing 11.3. we like the Hawks ability to run the ball and that’s why we pick them to upset Islands this week. Hardaway by 8.
The Skinny
The Bainbridge Bearcats are the Region 1 Champion and are in the post season for the 18th time in 19 years. Bainbridge has won six straight games entering the playoffs. Quarterback Quayde Hawkins has thrown for 1,435 yards and 16-TDs. His top receiver this year has been Braxton Johnson with 37 receptions for 625 yards and 7-TDs. Rashad Broadnax has rushed for 948 yards and 13-TDs. Zion Bouie leads the secondary with three interceptions. Bainbridge is averaging 29.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 18 points per game. The Bearcats have defeated four playoff teams this season.
The Westside Macon Seminoles are the No. 4 seed from Region 4. Since 2006, the Seminoles have only missed the playoffs twice. Quarterback Ja’lon Miller has thrown for 1,018 yards and 8-TDs while Vanseasn Jackson has rushed for 632 yards and 7-TDs. Takendre Coats and Quamae Adkins have combined to catch 61 passe for 867 yards and 5-TDs. Kennedy Parker leads the team with 60 total tackles and 8 sacks. Westside has won three of their last five games and is averaging 23 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.7 points per game. The Bearcats are our favorite to win this one, but we think it will be competitive for a half before Bainbridge pulls away. We like the Bainbridge by 18.