We continue with our semifinal previews as we take a look at the Georgia High School Football 4A Semifinal matchups. The four teams that advanced are Carver Columbus-Cedartown and Benedictine-North Oconee. North Oconee might be the surprise team of the season as we certainly did not have them in our top four to begin this season. Benedictine is the most potent offense, but don’t county out Carver Columbus who can put up points in bunches, while Cedartown and their ground game can certainly lead them into the finals. We believe that Benedictine will hoist the trophy when it is all said and done.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Carver Tigers have won 12 straight games and are in the semifinals for the 8th time overall and the first time since 2011. The Tigers are averaging 35.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.6 points per game. In their three playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 90-33. The Carver offense is averaging 167.5 yards per game through the air and 297.8 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Devil Riles is completing 68% of his passes and has thrown for 1,830 yards and 14-TDs and rushed for 720 yards and 6-TDs. Meanwhile Jaiden Credle has rushed for 1,874 yards and 22-TDs. The Carver defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 34 times, with Cameron Crowell leading the way with 8. A win would put the Tigers into the finals for the first time since 2007, when they won their last state title.
The Cedartown Bulldogs have won their last eight games and are in the semifinals for the first time since 2001 and for the ninth time overall. The Bulldogs are averaging 37.8 points per game and allowing 10.8. In their three playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 142 to 53. We mentioned this last week, so it’s no secret that the Bulldogs rely heavily on the ground game. They are churning out an average of 329.3 yards per game on the ground. It’s been Harlem Diamond, C.J. Washington and Patrick Gardner with the bulk of the production. The trio has combined for 2,712 yards and 40-TDs. If the Dogs do throw it, Jordan Johnson will be the primary target. He has 25 receptions for 429 yards and 3-TDs. Defensively, DeMario Sims leads the team with 15 sacks, while Eli Barrow leads the team in total tackles.
The Carver Tigers have some explosive players on in Credle and Riles and would certainly be.a safe pick playing at home. But we believe the ground attack of Cedartown will wear down Carver. We like the Bulldogs by 6.
The Skinny
The Benedictine Cadets are back in the semifinals for the second consecutive season and for the sixth time overall. The Cadets come into this week on an 11 game win streak. After easily defeating their first two opponents by a combined 122-7, they outlasted Marist in a 3-point victory at home. Benedictine is averaging 48.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.3 points per game. Entering the semifinals, the Cadets were averaging 226.5 yards through the air and 236.5 yards on the ground. Quarterback Holden Geriner has now thrown for over 2,600 yard and 29-TDs. Za’Quan Bryan is Geriner’s primary target with over 1,100 yards receiving and 11-TDs. Justin Thomas leads the team in rushing with over 1,200 yards and 23-TDs. But Thomas has also proved to be an effective pass catcher out of the backfield with over 700 yards receiving and 11-TDs.
The North Oconee Titans have won nine straight games and are in the semifinals for the first time in school history. North Oconee is averaging 32 points per game while the defense is allowing 16 points per game. In their three playoff wins, the Titans are outscoring their opponents 122-45. The last time that North Oconee lost this season was to this week’s opponent, Benedictine, back on September 10th. But since the loss, North Oconee defeated three playoff teams in the regular season en route to claiming their their third region title in school history, including Jefferson who was an early season favorite to win it all.
It will be another long road trip from Bogart to Savannah. Benedictine won the first game by 31 points. We believe this game will be much closer than the first matchup, but we still believe Benedictine has enough offense from Geriner & Co. to advance to the finals. Benedictine by two touchdowns.