We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. This post will end our class 5A preview. This preview features games between Griffin – Jonesboro, Jones County – Wayne County, Eastside – Southwest DeKalb and New Manchester-Hiram.
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 Griffin Bears are the No. 2 Seed from Region 2. Griffin has only missed the playoffs once since 1996. The Bears have won five of their last six games coming into the playoffs. Coach Reid has used several players at key positions this year. Combined, the Bears quarterbacks have thrown for 1,194 yards and 9-TDs. Through nine games, Jordan Favors led the team with 426 yards and 4-TDs. Donovan Westmoreland leads the team in total tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. The Bears are averaging 19.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.9 points per game. The Bears have defeated two playoff teams this season.
The Jonesboro Cardinals are the No. 3 seed from Region 3 and are in the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Jonesboro won their first six games but dropped two games back-to-back before closing out the season with a win. Jonesboro’s two losses were by a combined 14 points. The Cardinals are averaging 20.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 8.8 points per game. Jonesboro has shutout three of their opponents this season and have defeated one playoff team. This might be one of the most competitive games in the first round of Class 5A. We think Griffin will edge Jonesboro this week by 4.
The Skinny
The Jones County Greyhounds are the No. 1 team from Region 4. The Greyhounds are in the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years. The Greyhounds have turned their season around after losing to two of the top teams from the top classification. They enter the playoffs on a seven-game win streak and are averaging 36.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 22.9 points. Andrew Carner has rushed for 1,097 yards and 21-TDs while Maleek Wooten has caught 39 passes for 570 yards and 8-TDs. Deon Richardson leads the team with 89 total tackles. The Greyhounds have defeated three playoff teams.
The Wayne County Yellow Jackets are the No. 4 Seed from Region 1. The Yellow Jackets are in the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year. Wayne County is averaging 15.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 24.9 points per game. Wayne County has defeated one playoff team this season. Coming into the playoffs, Wayne County has lost three of their last four games. Wayne County should be able to keep the game close, but we like Jones County to pull away late. Greyhounds by 13.
The Skinny
The Eastside Eagles are the No. 2 seed from Region 2. The Eagles are in the playoffs for the fifth straight year and for the tenth time in thirteen years. Eastside has won their last four games and were two points away from winning a region title. Dallas Johns has helped pace the offense with 1,139 yards and 6-TDs. Meanwhile Saabir Berrian leads the team with 19 receptions and 433 yards and 3-TDs. Grayson Malcom leads the defense with 74 total tackles. The Eagles are averaging 29.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.5 points per game.
The Southwest DeKalb Panthers are the No. 3 seed from Region 5. The Panthers are in the post season for the fifth consecutive season. Southwest has won three of their last four games. Heading into the playoffs. As a team Southwest has rushed for 1,246 yards while Armond Davis has caught 17 passes for 392 yards and 4-TDs. The defense has recorded 23 sacks and 11 turnovers. Southwest is averaging 24.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.8. Southwest has defeated one playoff team this season. Even though they are trending up, we like Eastside at home by 11.
The Skinny
The New Manchester Jaguars are the Region Champion from Region 6. The Jags are in the post season for only the second time in school history and claimed their first region title this season. The Jaguars have won their last three games and have defeated three playoff teams. Quarterback Rico Jones has thrown for 1,212 yards and 12-TDs. Horatio Felds (42 receptions, 828 yards, 7-TDs) and Malik Laurent (41 receptions, 590 yards, 8-TDs) lead the team in receiving. Robert Iverson leads the team with 85 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss. The Jags are averaging 26.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.8 points per game.
The Hiram Hornets are the No. 4 team from Region 7. The Hornets are in the post season for the second consecutive season. The Hornets only win of the season was an important one is at vaulted them into the playoffs. Hiram is averaging 19.4 points per game while allowing 34.2 points. Hiram is led on offense by Jirah Douglas who has rushed for 80 yards and 10-TDs and Dijon McKissack, who leads the team with 27 receptions for 383 yards and 4-TDs. The Hornets and Jaguars met up earlier this season with the Jaguars winning in a big way. We think this game will be slightly closer, but we like New Manchester to win again by 20.