We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. We continue on with the Class 5A previews. This will be a four part series. This preview features games between Decatur – Greenbrier, Blessed Trinity – Chapel Hill, Woodward – Whitewater and Warner Robins – Union Grove.
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 Decatur Bulldogs are the No. 2 seed from Region 5. The Bulldogs are in the post season for the second consecutive season. Decatur won six straight games before losing to St. Pius in the de facto region title game. Through six games, Marquis Hood led the team in rushing with 455 yards and 6-TDs. Hood also leads the team with 6 sacks on defense. Senior safety Sam Mahany has intercepted seven passes on the season. Decatur is averaging 29.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.4 points per game. The Bulldogs have defeated three playoff teams this season.
The Greenbrier Wolfpack are the No. 3 seed from Region 8. The Wolfpack is in the post season for the third consecutive season. Greenbrier has never made it past the first round. Quarterback Brooks Pangle has thrown for 2,298 yards and 28-TDs. Brayden Collett (51 receptions, 957 yards, 17-TDs) and Malik Leverett (53 receptions, 560 yards, 7-TDs) are the top receivers. Beau Shugarts leads the defense with 105 total tackles and 9 sacks. The Wolfpack are averaging 27.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.5 points. Greenbrier has defeated three playoff teams. Sam Mahany should have several opportunities to add to his interception totals this week, but could this be the year that the Wolfpack break through. This one is a toss-up, so we will go with the home team by a field goal.
The Skinny
The Blessed Trinity Titans are the Region Champion from Region 7. The Titans are in the post season for the 10th straight year. They have won the previous three Class 4A state title games. Blessed Trinity has shut out their last three opponents and their closest game was a 14-point win over Calhoun. Sophomore Justice Haynes is the engine that makes the Titans go. Through his first four games of the season, he already racked up 858 yards and 12-TDs. The Titans have also benefited with the addition of quarterback J.C. French to the offense this season. Blessed Trinity is averaging 45.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.1 points.
The Chapel Hill Panther are the No. 4 seed from Region 6. The Panthers are in the post season for third time in five years. The Panthers are led by running backs Michael Perkins (608 yards, 3-TDs) and Rudolph Paul, (682 yards, 5-TDs). Keyshawn Buckley is the team’s leading receiver with 23 receptions for 421 yards and 5-TDs. Zechariah White leads the team with 101 total tackles and Derrick Von Hubbard leads the team with 8 sacks. Chapel Hill is allowing 24.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.1 points per game. We have a feeling that the Chapel Hill Panthers will be chasing Justice Haynes a lot on Friday. We like the Titans by six touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Woodward Academy War Eagles are the No. 2 Seed from Region 3. Woodward Academy is in the post season for the 13th consecutive season. Woodward started off the year dropping their first three games, but bounced back to win six straight games before falling to Creekside in the season finale. Damari Alston leads the way on offense with 1,223 yards and 19-TDs. Alston is also the team’s leading receiver with 16 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown. Errington Truesdell leads the defense with 76 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Truesdell is also tied for the team led for interceptions, (3). Woodward Academy is averaging 25.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.2 points per game.
The Whitewater Wildcats are the No. 3 seed from Region 2 and are in the post season for the third time in five years. Whitewater has won four of their last five games and have defeated one playoff team this season. Whitewater has done most of their damage on the ground this year. Dalton Bonner and Adeoluwa Erinle have combined for 910 yards and 7-TDs. Ty Marshall leads the team with 93 total tackles while T.J. Hill leads the team with 9 sacks. Whitewater is averaging 21.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.6 points per game. We believe Damari Alston will be too much to contain for Whitewater. We like Woodward by 13.
The Skinny
The Warner Robins Demons are the Region Champion from Region 1. The Demons are in the post season for the tenth straight season. Warner Robins has made it to the finals in each of the past three seasons. Warner Robins only loss this year was to Class 6A No. 1 Lee County. Quarterback Jalen Addie has thrown for 1,326 yards and 12-TDs while also adding 575 yards and 8-TDs rushing. Running backs Malcolm Brown (705 yards, 6-TDs) and Jahlen Rutherford (693 yards, 6-TDs) lead the way on the ground for Warner Robbins. Demarcious Robinson leads the team in total tackles while Vic Burley leads the team in sacks with 9. Warner Robins is averaging 35.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.8 points per game. Warner Robins has defeated six playoff teams this season.
The Union Grove Wolverines are the No. 4 seed from Region 4. The Wolverines are in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Wolverines are winners of their last four games. Union Grove is averaging 27.6 points per game while allowing 21 points per game. They have not defeated a playoff team this season. We think this game could get out of hand early. We like the Demons by six touchdowns.