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 LaGrange – New Hampstead, Perry – Westover, Flowery Branch – Luella and Marist – Central Carroll.
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 LaGrange Grangers are the No. 2 Seed from Region 2 and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. LaGrange has won three of their last five games and have defeated one playoff team this season. LaGrange is averaging 31.4 points per game and is allowing 20.2. All of the Grangers losses this season have come against teams that have qualified for the post season. In their seven wins, LaGrange is averaging 39.1 points per game. However, in their three losses, they are only scoring 13.3.
The New Hampstead Phoenix are the No. 3 seed from Region 3. The Phoenix are in the post season for the fourth time in five years. New Hampstead won their first four games before dropping a game to Islands. They closed out the season winning their final two games. The Phoenix are scoring 39.2 points per game while allowing 10.4 points per game. They have defeated two playoff teams this season. We believe LaGrange is a little more battle tested this week and like them by 5.
The Skinny
The Perry Panthers are the Region 4 Champions. The Panthers claimed their second region title in school history and are in the playoffs for the third straight year. Quarterback Lane Rucker has thrown for 1,636 yards and 11-TDs while Makeil Kendrick has rushed for 832 yards and 10-TDs. Daequan Wright and Curtis Head have combined to catch 78 passed for 953 yards and 9-TDs. Camerin Marshall leads the team with 110 total tackles. Perry enters the playoffs on a four-game win streak. They are averaging 23.7 points per game and allowing 17. The Panthers have defeated two playoff teams this season.
The Westover Patriots are the No. 4 seed from Region 1. Westover is in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Patriots are averaging 17.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.2. While they’ve only won one game, Westover has been competitive in all of their games this season. They have not defeated a playoff team. We expect this to be the closest game between a one seed and a four seed. We still like the Panthers by a touchdown.
The Skinny
The Flowery Branch Falcons are the No. 2 seed from Region 8. They are in the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Quarterback David Renard has thrown for 2,159 yards and 18-TDs. His top receivers are Connor Larson (45 receptions, 787 yards, 4-TDs) and Sal Sengson (28 receptions, 472 yards, 3-TDs.) Myles Avery and Jaizen Ellingham have combined to rush for 1,175 yards and 16-TDs on the season. The Falcons enter the post season winners of their last five games. They have defeated five playoff teams this year.
The Luella Lions are the No. 3 seed from Region 5. The Lions are in the playoffs for the second straight season. Luella is led by running back James Jones who has rushed for 763 yards and 5-TDs. Antonio Johnson has caught 14 passes for 304 yards and 3-TDs. Luella has only thrown the ball 99 times this season. The defense has intercepted 12 passes this season and forced 21 turnovers. Luella is averaging 19.7 points per game and allowing 18.4. If they can force a few turnovers on Saturday, they should have a shot to upset Flowery Branch. We still like the Falcons chances. Flowery Branch by 14.
The Skinny
The Marist War Eagles are the Region 6 Champions. Marist has not missed the post season since 1983. The War Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in the state anchored by Steve Nahmias, Davis McKenna and Ian Erickson. But their defense has been dominant allowing just three touchdowns all season. All of those were scored in the last game of the season. They’ve shut out five of their eight opponents. They are averaging 37.2 points per game while allowing only 3.3. Marist has defeated five playoff teams this season.
The Central Carroll Lions are the No 4 seed from Region 7 and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Like Marist, Central will get most of their offense from the rushing attack. They feature one of the best running backs in Class 4-A in Narada Levett. He’s rushed for 1.622 yards and 16-TDs. On defense Jayden Greene has intercepted four passes to lead the secondary. Central is averaging 29 points per game while allowing 22.5 points. They have lost two of their last three games entering the playoffs. This is a tough draw for the Lions. Marist’s defense has been tough all season and we expect nothing less from them in the playoffs. We like the War Eagles by thirty.