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 Richmond Hill – Lakeside-Evans, Westlake – Houston County, Dacula – Alexander, and Allatoona-Johns Creek .
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 Richmond Hill Wildcats are the No. 2 seed in Region 2. It is the seventh trip to the postseason in the past nine years. The Wildcats looked to be well on their way to another region title until they were upset by Glynn Academy in early November. Nevertheless, the Wildcats have defeated five playoff teams this season. Running back Ashaud Roberson has rushed for 1,407 yards and 15-TDs. Quarterback Tyler Coleman has thrown for 1,423 yards and 11-TDs. John Mastrorilli leads the team in total tackles with 67 while Nathan Vickers has recorded 9 sacks. The defense has recorded eight turnovers and is allowing 14.2 points per game while the offense is averaging 35.6 points per game.
The Lakeside Evans Panthers are the No. 3 seed from Region 3. Lakeside is in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year and have only advanced to the second round once in school history. Quarterback Gavin Wright leads the team in rushing and passing while Zalon Hawes is the team’s leading receiver. Lakeside is averaging 8.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.2 points per game those numbers aren’t necessarily a recipe for success in the playoffs. We like Richmond Hill be six touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Westlake Lions are the Region 4 Champions. Westlake has now qualified for the post season for the eight straight season. Westlake has won six consecutive games and have really exploded on offense over the last several weeks. Sophomore quarterback R.J. Johnson has thrown for 2,334 yards and 17-TDs. Zinah Mulbah and Corzavius Smart have combined to rush for 1,295 yards and 17-TDs. Meanwhile, receivers Dacari Collins and Leo Blackburn have combined for 72 receptions, 1,376 yards receiving and 12-TDs. Westlake is averaging 40.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.8 points per game.
The Houston County Bears are the No. 4 seed from Region 1. The Bears are in the post season for the second consecutive season. In their previous three playoff appearances, they’ve advanced all the way to the quarterfinals. Houston County is led by running back Tyler Williams and Simeon Askew. Jayson Hodges, Hunter Rizer and Jayleem Santos lead the team in total tackles. The Bears have dropped their last three games which isn’t the trend you want coming into the playoffs. They have defeated four playoff teams this season and for what it’s worth, we believe they play in one of the toughest regions in Class 6A. We believe this game will be closer than most might anticipate. We like Westlake to win a surprisingly close game by a touchdown.
The Skinny
The Dacula Falcons are the No. 2 seed from Region 8. Since 2004, the Falcons have only missed the postseason four times. In the previous two seasons, the Falcons have advanced all the way to the semifinals. The Falcons had won six straight games before falling to Buford last week. The Dacula offense is powered by running back Kyle Efford. At 6’1 225, Efford is a power back and he is also a menace to opposing offenses when he lines up at linebacker. The Falcons are averaging 31.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.5 points per game.
The Alexander Cougars are the No. 3 seed from Region 5. This is the Cougars seventh playoff appearance in eight years. Alexander has wins over three playoff teams including a big victory of region champion Carrollton. Quarterback Donovan Hoskins leads the team in rushing and passing yardage. Wesley Smith is the team’s leader in total tackles. Alexander is averaging 27.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.5 points per game. Alexander’s defense should keep this game close, but we expect Dacula to wear down Alexander and win a close game down the stretch. We like Dacula by 3.
The Skinny
The Allatoona Buccaneers are the Region 6 Champions. The Bucs have made the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons and since the school opened have only missed the playoffs in their first two season of varsity competition. Sophomore running back Jayden Ponder has rushed for 958 yards and 5-TDs. Ty Thompson leads the team with 7 sacks while the defense has forced 23 turnovers. Allatoona has also shut out three of their opponents. The Bucs have defeated four playoff teams this season and are averaging 30 points per game while allowing a paltry 7.8 points per game.
The Johns Creek Gladiators are the No. 4 team from Region 7. The Gladiators have reached the post season for the fourth time in five years. Dylan Parr leads the team in rushing while Ethan Story, Brandon Palmer and Coln Raad are the top receivers. Defensively, Cole Nelson and Tank Pritchett lead the team in total tackles. Johns Creek has lost two of their last three games this season. The Gladiators are averaging 19.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.6 points per game. Our gut tells us that this could be a low scoring affair. We believe Allatoona is a little more potent on offense and expect them to win this one by 10.