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 Roswell – Mill Creek, Norcross – South Forsyth, Walton – McEachern, and Colquitt County – Brookwood.
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 Roswell Hornets are the No. 2 seed from Region 5 and are in the post season for the seventh consecutive year. The Hornets started off the season red hot, but then dropped back-to-back games to North Fulton rivals before getting back on track last week. Junior quarterback Robbie Roper has had a big year for Roswell throwing for 1,859 yards and 19-TDs. Malik Willis has been his go to receiver with 43 receptions for 677 yards and 5-TDs. Yet Michael Fitzgerald ( 23 receptions, 470 yards, 7-TDs) and Shaun Spence (25 receptions, 387 yards, 5-TDs) have also had big seasons. Ryan Stephens and Ryan Hill have combined for 1,265 yards rushing and 14-TDs on the ground. Roswell is averaging 30.6 points per game while allowing 17.7.
The Mill Creek Hawks are the No. 3 seed from Region-8 and are in the post season for the seventh consecutive year. After a brutal mid-season schedule, the Hawks enter the game winners of three of their last four. Joshua Battle leads Mill Creek in rushing with 594 yards and 4-TDs on the season. The Hawks have also used a pair of quarterbacks at times in senior MJ Patterson and sophomore Hayden Clark. Emon Hill helps anchor the secondary and should be a good matchup with the Roswell passing attack. Roswell certainly has the offensive firepower to win this game, but we think Mill Creek might be a little more battle tested. Expect this game to come down to the wire. We like Roswell to edge Mill Creek by a field goal.
The Skinny
The Norcross Blue Devils are the Region 7 Champions. This will be the 15th post season appearance in 16 years for Norcross. The Blue Devils also finished off their first undefeated regular season since 2016. Both are impressive feats. Senior quarterback Mason Kaplan has thrown for 1,675 yards and 19-TDs, while a trio of running backs in Kaleb Jackson, Jahni Clarke and Michael Porter have rushed for 1,460 yards and 21-TDs. Trey Goodman leads the Norcross receiving unit with 34 receptions for 640 yards and 10-TDs. Linebacker Zakye Barker leads the team with 94 total tackles and 24 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. Norcross has forced 19 turnovers and is averaging 41.3 points per game (best in school history), while allowing only 14.1.
The South Forsyth War Eagles are the No. 4 seed from Region 6. They are in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. After starting the season 4-0, South dropped their next three games before rebounding two weeks ago against North Forsyth in a big way. Quarterback Kyle Durham has thrown for 1,996 yards and 22-TDs. Mitch Thompson (34 receptions, 865 yards, 10-TDs) and tight end Devin McGlockton (38 receptions, 607 yards, 8-TDs) are the team’s leading receivers. The South Forsyth secondary has intercepted 13 passes on the season led by the aforementioned Thompson. South is averaging a healthy 40 points per game on offense while allowing 26.1. This could turn into a shootout unless Norcross can really get pressure on Durham. With all that said, we like the Blue Devils this week by 16.
The Skinny
The Walton Raiders are the No. 2 seed from Region 3 and are in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and have only missed the playoffs four times in the last 22 years. Walton has won three out of their last five, but the game that stands out most is the loss in the final week of the season to Marietta. Zak Rozsman and freshmen Jeremy Hecklinski have combined to throw for 2,307 yards and 14-TDs. Braylen Stokes leads the team in rushing with 612 yards and 9-TDs and Stone McKnight leads the team in receiving with 45 receptions for 782 yards and 6-TDs. Angelo Brown Jr. is tops on the team with 80 total tackles on a defense that has forced 22 turnovers. Walton is averaging 25.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 24.2 points per game this season.
The McEachern Indians are the No. 3 seed from Region 2. The Indians are making their 12th consecutive playoff appearance. This is the first time McEachern has finished the regular season with a sub .500 record since 2007. McEachern is led by junior quarterback Bryce Archie, who has thrown for 1,037 yards and 8-TDs. Makari Bodiford and Mekhi Crawley have combined for 693 rushing yards and 11-TDs. McEachern is averaging 22.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.2 per game. While admittedly McEachern is struggling, we believe this is a game that they can do just enough to pull a minor upset. We like the Indians by 6.
The Skinny
The Colquitt County Packers are the Region 1 Champions and are in the post season for the 12th consecutive season. During that stretch, only once have they been eliminated as early as the second round. Colquitt County is undefeated and has dominated just about everyone they’ve faced this season. The Packers closest game was a 24-10 victory over Valdosta back in late September. Colquitt has a balanced attack on offense and averages 187 yards rushing and 187 passing per game. Xavier Williams has thrown for 1,085 yards and 11-TDs. He also leads the team in rushing with 424 yards and 5-TDs. Lemeke Brockington (17 receptions, 352 yards, 5-TDs) and Dijmon Wheeler (22 receptions, 274 yards, 8-TDs) lead the Hogs in receiving. Pershaun Fann leads the team in total tackles with 48. Colquitt has forced 9 turnovers this season. The offense is averaging 45.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.5 and has posted two shutouts.
The Brookwood Broncos are the No. 4 seed from Region 4. Brookwood is in the postseason for the fifth straight season. Brookwood started the season with six straight wins before suffering back-to-back losses. The Broncos have bounced back with two big wins to qualify for the post season. Quarterback Dylan Lonergan has thrown for 2,038 yards and 20-TDs. Alex Diggs and Jumal Prothro have combined for 867 yards and 13-TDs. The Broncos have a very formidable receiving group led by Denylon Morrissette (48 receptions for 690 yards, 7-TDs) and Sam Mbake (48 receptions, 443 yards, 5-TDs.) Brookwood is averaging 35.2 points per game while allowing 30.8. Colquitt County probably has the worst draw of a No. 1 seed. If Brookwood quarterback Dylan Lonergran is at 100%, this could be an upset special. Expect this one to be nip and tuck, but we will go with the Packers by 5.