We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. Next we will preview Class 5A. This will be a four part series. This preview features games between Ware County – Dutchtown, Creekside – Harris County, Cartersville – Jackson and St. Pius – Loganville.
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 Ware County Gators are the No. 2 seed from Region 1. The Gators have only missed the post season once since 1999. Ware County won their first six games before falling to Warner Robins. The Gators finished the season winning their last two games. This season the Gators have defeated seven playoff teams. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos has thrown for 2,169 yards and 18-TDs and has also rushed for 744 yards and 17-TDs. Raiden Kennedy, Jerry Wilkins and James Daniels have combined for 53 receptions for 1,065 yards and 11-TDs. Ware County is averaging 36 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.2
The Dutchtown Bulldogs are the No. 3 seed from Region 4. Dutchtown is in the post season for the fourth consecutive year. The Bulldogs had won five consecutive games before dropping their finale to Jones County. Dutchtown is averaging 19.2 points per game and allowing 12.3. However in their six wins, that average jumps to 28.8 points per game. The Bulldogs have defeated one playoff team this season. Dutchtown’s defense should keep this close for a half, but Castellanos will be too much to handle. We like the Gators by 28.
The Skinny
The Creekside Seminoles are the Region Champions from Region 3. The Seminoles are in the playoffs for the third straight year. Creekside enters the post season on a six-game win streak. Their only losses were to two highly ranked teams in Westlake and Cartersville. The Seminoles have rushed for 2,371 yards on the season and are led by Kamauri Davis (908 yards, 4-TDs). Freshmen safety Roderrick McCrary leads the defense with 74 total tackles while Denard Flowers leads the team with 11 sacks. The defense has intercepted 10 passes and forced a total of 22 turnovers this year. The Seminoles are averaging 27 points per game while the defense is allowing 14.8 points per game.
Harris County is the No. 4 seed from Region 2. The Tigers are in the post season for the fourth straight year. Harris county has lost their last two games entering the playoffs. Quarterback Cooper Corey has thrown for 1,199 yards and 11-TDs and also run for 462 yards and 5-TDs. Meanwhile K.D. Hutchinson has rushed for 619 yards and 6-TDs. Malachi Youmans and Wilbur Ramos lead the team in total tackles with 95 and 92 respectively. In their six wins, Harris County is averaging 27.6 points per game but in their four losses they are only averaging 11.5 points. Harris County is going up against a pretty stingy defense. We don’t think Creekside will blow out Harris County, but we do think they have enough offense to get the victory. Creekside by 14.
The Skinny
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes are the No. 2 Seed from Region 7 and are in the post season for the ninth consecutive season. During that stretch, the Purple Hurricanes have won two state titles. Cartersville had their regular season winning streak snapped in early in October, but have since bounced back to win four straight games. Cartersville is led by quarterbacks Stratton Tripp and Carlos del Rio Wilson. The two have combined to pass for 1,951 yards and 18-TDs. Running back Quante’ Jennings has rushed for 611 yards and 13-TDs. Sam Phillips ( 51 receptions, 656 yards, 5-TDs) and Devonta Ross (27 receptions, 619 yards, 5-TDs) are the team’s leading receivers. Safety Evan Slocum leads the team in total tackles while Sam Philips has intercepted 4 passes this season. The Cartersville secondary has intercepted 13 passes. The Canes are averaging 36.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.2
The Maynard Jackson Jaguars are the No. 3 Seed from Region 6. The Jaguars are in the post season for the fifth time in seven years. Quarterback Raveon Moore leads the team in passing and rushing with 937 yards through the air and 10-TDs and 502 rushing yards and 5-TDs on the ground. Jeremiah Rowe leads the team with 15 receptions and 419 yards. Maynard Jackson has won their last three games entering the post season. They are averaging 17.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 24.4 points. Cartersville should have too many horses this week for Maynard Jackson to keep pace. We like the Canes by five touchdowns.
The Skinny
The St. Pius Lions are the Region Champions from Region 5. The Lions have only missed the post season one time since 2002. The Lions enter the post season on a six-game winning streak. Their only loss was a three-point setback to Westminster back in early October. The Lions are averaging 34.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.7 points per game. St. Pius has defeated five playoff teams this season.
The Loganville Red Devils are the No. 4 seed from Region 8. The Red Devils are in the post season for the fifth time in six years. Quarterback Tanner Greene has thrown for 1,486 yards and 9-TDs. Brandon Thornton leads the defense with 97 total tackles. The Red Devils defense has forced 14 turnovers this season. Loganville has won three of their last four games. They have defeated one playoff team this season. We expect for St. Pius and their run heavy attack to be more than enough to get by Loganville. Lions by 24.