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 start with our Georgia High School Football 7A Semifinal preview. The four teams that advanced are Milton-Walton and Collins Hill-Grayson. Walton is probably the hottest team coming into this week, while Grayson is the defending state champ. Milton is extremely talented as well, but you’d have to think Collins Hill is the odds on favorite to win the schools first state title.
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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 Milton Eagles are back into the semifinals for the first time since 2018 and only the third time in school history. The Eagles are winners of their last 11 games. Over the last two games, Milton has really relied heavily on the ground game, rushing for 707 yards and 7-TDs. Jordan McDonald and quarterback Devin Farrell have been responsible for most of the damage on the ground this season. McDonald has gone over 200 yards in each of the last two games. He has 1,181 yards and 20-TDs on the season while Farrell has rushed for 836 yards and 10-TDs. Farrell has also thrown for 1,865 yards and 24-TDs, completing 65% of his passes. On defense, L.T. Overton and A.J. Crawford have combined to sack opposing quarterbacks 19 times.
The Walton Raiders are winners of their last three games and are in the semifinals for the first time in ten years and similar to Milton, this is their third semifinals appearance in school history. Last week, the Raiders jumped out to an early lead over Brookwood to help propel them into this week’s matchup. Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski took most of the snaps last week and looked like a veteran. He’s joined in the backfield by a very talented running back in Sutton Smith. Hecklinski’s receiving targets include Mustafa Heffner, Rawson McNeil, and Marcus Allen among others. The Raiders are averaging 36.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 26.3 points per game.
The Milton Eagles have to be on guard for an upset this week. Walton might be the hottest team not named Collins Hill in Class 7A right now. No one can question Walton’s playoff wins either, as they’ve all been convincing. But we believe Jordan McDonald has another big day and leads Milton to victory. Eagles by 8.
The Skinny
The Collins Hill Eagles have been on fire all season. They are in the semifinals for the second straight season and for the fourth time in school history. Collins Hill has steamrolled most of their opponents this season. They’ve outscored their playoff opponents 153-26. On the year, the Eagles are scoring 41.8 points per game while allowing 6.2. Most of the attention for the Eagles is given wide receiver Travis Hunter and quarterback Sam Horn, but the Eagles are not a one or two trick pony. Ryan Stephens and Spenser Anderson have combined to rush for 1,251 yards and 17-TDs. The defense probably doesn’t get as much press as they should either. Asani Redwood leads the team with 17 sacks while linebacker Deon Crawford its second on the team with 11.5. The Eagles defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 53 times and have intercepted 17 passes.
The Grayson Rams are the defending state champions and back into the finals for the second consecutive season and for the seventh time in school history. The Rams have won four straight games entering this week and are averaging 24.4 points per game while allowing 17. In their three playoff games, Grayson is averaging 35.6 points per game while allowing 16.3. The Rams have relied heavily on the run this season, averaging just 76.5 yards per game through the air while getting an average of 168.5 yards on the ground. Joe Taylor and Joseph Stone have led the way on the ground for the Rams. Jalen Smith leads the team in total tackles and sacks. Grayson has sacked opposing QBs 33 times this season.
This is a rematch of the 2020 state title game in which Grayson dominated. This year, the Rams are the younger more inexperienced team. Their best chance to win hinges on an effective ground game to keep Horn, Hunter and the Eagles offense on the sideline. We believe that is possible, but not probable. We like Collins Hill by 17.