We are previewing all of the 2020 GHSA playoff games. First up is Class 7A. This will be a four-part series. This preview features games between Lowndes – Newton, North Cobb – Pebblebrook, Archer – Gainesville and Milton – Peachtree Ridge.
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 Lowndes Vikings have only missed the playoffs twice since 1996. During that stretch they’ve won 4 State Titles. The Vikings seemed to be an early favorite to win the title, but after a two-week layoff, they have not been as dominant. Nevertheless, the Vikings are averaging 30.3 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing a respectable 19 points per game. They are the No. 2 seed from Region 1. Offensively they are led by dual threat quarterback Jacurri Brown (1076 yards passing, 12-TDs and 770 yards rushing 12-TDs). Justin Lee has added 463 yards rushing and 5-TDs while Dominique Marshall leads the team in receiving with 553 yards and 7-TDs. Jalon Baker leads the team in total tackles with 51 while Thomas Davis leads the team in tackles for loss with 8.5. The Vikings have intercepted 10 passes on the season.
The Newton Rams are the No. 3 Seed from Region 4. The Rams are in the playoffs for the 9th consecutive season. The last four seasons they have not made it out of the first round. Newton is averaging 12.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.3 points per game. In their last three games they are averaging 5.6 points per game while allowing 26. That’s not the trend you want to see; even against a Lowndes team that is struggling. We like the Vikings by three touchdowns on Friday night.
The Skinny
The North Cobb Warriors are making their ninth playoff appearance in ten years. The Warriors are the No. 1 seed from Region 3. They enter the game on a five-game win streak and are averaging 30.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.8 points per game. They are led by sophomore quarterback Malachi Singleton who has drawn comparisons by some to another great Cobb quarterback named Justin Fields. During their 5-game win streak, they are averaging 35.6 points per game while allowing 17.6 during that same stretch.
The Pebblebrook Falcons are making their fourth playoff appearance in the last five years. They started the season winning five of their first six but have faltered down the stretch losing three of their last four. The Falcons are averaging 26 points per game while allowing 20.7. Pebblebrook uses a spread offense attack with quarterback Craig Adams Jr. taking the snaps. He has a big arm and can beat you running as well. The Falcons should keep this game interesting for three quarters, but we like North Cobb to pull away late in this battle of Cobb County Schools. Warriors by 15.
The Skinny
The Archer Tigers are in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Only twice in school history have they been eliminated in the first round. The Tigers had reeled off six straight wins before falling to Norcross last week. Archer has a very talented secondary highlighted by Edwin Mangual, Jackson McCrary and Caleb Wooden. In their six wins they are averaging 46.5 points per game and allowing 7. In their four losses, they are averaging 12.2 points per game and allowing 33.5. All of their losses were to teams that were ranked at one point in the season.
The Gainesville Red Elephants are in the playoffs for the 21st consecutive season. Gainesville is the third seed from Region 6 and comes into the game losing two of their last three. They are led up front by Cedrick Nicely. The offensive linemen is a real road grader. Quarterback Gionni Williams is a dual threat so the Archer linebackers will have to check to contain him. The Red Elephants are averaging 29.4 points per game and allowing 19.5 points. We believe Archer’s schedule has been a little tougher on the season and like the Tigers to prevail this week by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Milton Eagles are the No. 1 seed from Region 5 and enter this game undefeated. (They did drop a game to Cedar Grove, but the result was reversed due to a forfeit by Cedar Grove.) This is their ninth playoff appearance in ten years. The Eagles are averaging 31.2 points per game and allowing 13.2. They are led by running back Jordan McDonald on offense who possesses a combination of power and speed. The junior has rushed for 1,044 yards and 20-TDs. Defensively, most of the attention is garnered by sophomore lineman L.T. Overton who leads the team with 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss.
The Peachtree Ridge Lions are the No. 4 seed from Region 8 and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Lions enter the game having dropped four of their last five contests. Peachtree Ridge is averaging 19.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 29.6 points per game. The Lions will need to make this game a defensive struggle. We don’t believe they can match Milton in a shootout. However, we believe Milton is too deep this year. We like the Eagles by four touchdowns.