We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. Next up is Class 6A. This will be a four part series. This preview features games between Kell-Cambridge, Buford-Douglas County, Hughes-Northside, and Glynn Academy-Grovetown.
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 Kell Longhorns are the No. 2 Seed from Region 6 and are in the post season for the 13th consecutive season. The Longhorns enter the game winners of five of their last six games. Well has defeated two playoff teams this season and is averaging 37.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.6 points per game. In their six wins, the Longhorns are averaging 44 points per game. In their three losses, that average drops to 25 points per game.
Then Cambridge Bears are the No 3 seed from Region 7. The Bears looked like they might miss out on the playoffs early in the year, but were able to string together three straight wins to force a tiebreaker and ultimately earning their second playoff berth in school history. The Bears are led by running backs Phillip Michael Collins and Christian Isibor. The offense is averaging 24.5 points per game while the defense is averaging 22.5 points per game. Cambridge has defeated two playoff teams this season. Cambridge’s running backs could be enough to give Kell some heartburn, but we think Kell and David Mbadinga will wear down the Cambridge defense. We like the Longhorns by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Buford Wolves are the Region 8 Champions. Buford is also the defending Class 5A state champions and has qualified for the post season for each of the past 22 years. The Wolves only loss of the season came against 7A North Cobb. Since then, they’ve won eight straight games . The points for and against Buford is impressive; averaging 39.6 while allowing 6.4, but in their eight wins, those numbers get even better. They are averaging 42.8 points per game and allowing 3.7 per game during the win streak. Buford has defeated five playoff teams this season.
The Douglas County Tigers are the 4 seed from Region 5. They find themselves in the playoffs for the third time in four years. Early on in the season, the Tigers won five straight games but lost three of their last five to end the season. Running back Kobe Harris helps pace the offense with 913 yards and 9-TDs. Receiver Justin Franklin has also caught 40 passes for 651 yards and 5-TDs. Shakai Woods leads the team in total tackles with 130 while Jonathan Jefferson and Joshua Robinson each have recorded 10 sacks on the season. Douglas County is averaging 22.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.2 points per game. The Tigers have defeated three playoff teams. Douglas County has a defense that could keep Buford in check, but we don’t believe they will reach their offensive average of 22.3. We like Buford by 24.
The Skinny
The Langston Hughes Panthers are the No. 2 seed from Region 4. For the Panthers it’s their first post season appearance in three years. Langston Hughes has won their last five games. The youthful Panthers are led by junior quarterback Xavier Smith who’s thrown for 1,022 yards, 13-TDs and rushed for 772 yards and 6-TDs. Antonio Martin Jr. has also added 515 yards and 7-TDs on the ground. Sophomore Gannon Weathersby leads the team in total tackles with 113 while Garrett Wilson leads the team with 8 sacks. The secondary has intercepted 9 passes on the season. The Panthers are averaging 32.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.5 points per game.
The Northside Warner Robins Eagles are the No. 3 seed from Region 1. It is their 24th appearance in the past 25 season. Northside had an impressive win over Peach County Early in the season, but things went a little sideways midway through the year with games against extremely tough opponents in Warner Robins, Richmond Hill and Colquitt County. In their six losses, Northside is only averaging 7.8 points per game, yet in their four wins they are averaging 27.7 points per game. The Eagles will be facing another tough defense this week. We wouldn’t be surprised if they pull the upset, but we like Hughes by 2.
The Skinny
The Glynn Academy Terrors are the Region 2 Champions. Glynn Academy has only missed the playoffs once since 2005. Glynn Academy has won their last five games including two shutouts. This season, the Terrors defeated four teams that have qualified for the post season. In their three losses, the Terrors are being outscored by an average score of 33.3 to 14 while the in their seven wins, the Terrors are outscoring opponents 29 to 6.1. The defense has also recorded two shutouts in the last three weeks.
The Grovetown Warriors are the No. 4 seed from Region 3. They Warriors are in the post season for the fourth time in five years. The two wins this season match a program low for Grovetown. The Warriors are averaging 10.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 25.10 points per game. Grovetown is a little young this season and we believe going on the road to Brunswick, Georgia will be a little too much for them this week. We like Glynn Academy big this week, call it five touchdowns.