The Skinny
Head Coach Darren Myles has guided the Carver Atlanta Panthers into the state finals for the first time since 1967 and only the second time in school history. Carver has won 9 consecutive games entering the championship game. The Panthers went down to Blackshear last week and held off Pierce County’s second half rally to advance this week. The Panthers are the No.2 seed from Region 5. During their playoff run, Carver has defeated a No. 3 seed, a No. 2 seed, and two No. 1 seeds. In their four playoff games, they are averaging 43.5 points per game while allowing 13.5 points per game. In all of their games, Carver is averaging 35.1 points per game while allowing 17.3. We went through the individual stats for the Panthers last week, but as a refresher, running backs Jarveous Brown and Quintavious Locket have both crossed the 1,000 yard mark rushing this season. Meanwhile, Bryce Brown is well over 1,600 yards passing. Defensively, Terrell Lightfoot and Aquantis Clemmons lead the team in sacks while Devonte Amasiani and Dialo Mosley lead the team in total tackles. A win this Saturday would give the Panthers their first football state title in school history.
The Cedar Grove Saints are back in the playoffs for the fourth time in six years and for the fifth time in school history. After dropping their final regular season game, Cedar Grove has won four straight to get to the finals. In the playoffs, they are averaging 45.5 points per game and allowing 5.5 points per game. (The Saints seemed to refocus after the loss on 11/5.) Through all games, the they are averaging 42.7 points per game and allowing 11.6. Last week, it was sophomore quarterback Jamar Graham leading the way for the Saints. Graham has now thrown for 1,354 yards and 15-TDs. Janiran Bonner has been the top target for the Saints with 42 receptions for 668 yards and 7-TDs. But don’t forget about the other deep threats for the Saints, including Trevon Ferrell,, Bernard Mack, and Barry Jackson. Running Back Rashad Dubinion leads the team on the ground with over 1,600 yards rushing and 24-TDs. But perhaps the biggest story for Cedar Grove is their defense, who has been downright stingy this season and especially in the playoffs. They are led by lineman Christon Miller and Adonijah Green and linebackers Everett Roussaw, Carlton Madden and Quinterio Lawson. A win this Saturday would give the Saints their fourth state title in school history.
This game is a rematch between Region 5 foes. Cedar Grove won the first matchup 17-0 and the only Carver victory in this series came by way of a forfeit last season by the Saints. The Panthers are playing great football right now and we know they will not be intimidated by Cedar Grove. It will take a great performance by Carvers running backs to keep things from getting out of hand. We believe they will keep it close early, but like Cedar Grove to win by 10.
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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)