We are down to the final four teams in each classification of the GHSA Football Playoffs. This week, we will preview each of the semifinals games as we continue with our Georgia High School Football 6A Semifinal preview. The four teams that advanced are Buford-Carrollton and Langston Hughes-Dacula. Region 8 advanced two teams into the final four (Buford and Dacula). Dacula is the dark horse and Buford is the favorite to win the title. However, don’t count out the explosiveness of both Hughes and Carrollton.
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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 Buford Wolves are the defending Class 6A champions and have advanced to the semifinals for the 25th time in school history. Buford was won nine straight games entering this week and as we mentioned last week, the Wolves have not lost to a team from the state of Georgia this year. Buford is averaging 36.6 points per game while the defense is allowing a paltry 6.4 points per game. In their three playoff games, Buford is outscoring the opposition 109 to 21. The Wolves have shutout five of their thirteen opponents this season. The offense is powered by running backs Victor Venn and C.J. Clinkscales. Quarterback Ashton Daniels also has very skilled wide receivers in Jake Pope, Isaiah Bond, and K.J. Bolden.
The Carrollton Trojans advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2013 and for the 23rd time in school history. The Trojans have won eight straight games entering this week. Carrollton is averaging 42.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.2. They’re averaging 238.9 yards per game through the air and 184 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback M.J. Morris has now thrown for 2,917 yards, rushed for 581 yards and has accounted for 46 total TDs. Bryce Hicks leads the team in rushing with 861 yards and 13-TDs while Terrell Carmichael, Takare Lipscomb and Ace Williamson lead the Trojans in receiving. Carrollton has outscored their three playoff opponents 127-81.
Carrollton can score points in bunches, but they also have shown a propensity to give up points as well. That might hurt them this week. Morris can keep Carrollton in the game, but we believe Buford is too talented across the board. Wolves by 13.
The Skinny
The Langston Hughes Panthers advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history. The Panthers have also set a school record for wins in a season. Langston Hughes has done it with a balanced attack this season, rushing for 183.2 yards per game while passing for 177.8. Quarterback Prentiss “Air” Noland has thrown for 2,225 yards and 29-TDs while Antonio Martin, Jr. has rushed for 786 yards and 13-TDs. Top receivers for the Panthers this season have been Armani Tookes, Rodney Shelley, Jelani Thurman and Terrance Love. Michael Watson leads the team in total tackles while the aforementioned, Love, Shelley, and Xavier Smith have all intercepted 3 passes in the secondary. Hughes has outscored their three playoff opponents 118 to 29.
The Dacula Falcons advanced to the semifinals for the third time in four years and for the sixth time in school history. Dacula has won eight of their last nine games and three of their losses have been to 7-A schools. (The other was to Class 6A favorite, Buford.) The Falcons are averaging 28.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.7. They’ve caught fire in the playoffs, averaging 33.3 points per game while allowing just 11 points per game. Most of Dacula’s offense comes on the legs of running back Kyle Efford, and while we don’t have official stats, we have seen the film and know that he’s a great combination of power and speed. But don’t forget about quarterback Austin Adcock or receiver Percy Williams.
A win for either team will advance them to the finals for the first time in school history. While Dacula has been on a roll as of late, this Langston Hughes defense will be the best one they’ve played in the playoffs this season. We like the Panthers by 10.