The Skinny
The Benedictine Cadets are in the finals for the first time since 2016 and for the third time in school history. season. Benedictine has won twelve consecutive games entering the finals. In the playoffs, they are averaging 44.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 15 points per game. In all games this season, the Cadets are averaging 48.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.2. The Cadets have defeated one No. 1 seed, one No. 2 seed and two No. 1 seeds to get to the finals this week. Benedictine continues with their balanced attack this season, passing for 226.5 yards per game and rushing for 228.9 yards per game, putting up an impressive 455.4 yards of total offense per game. Through the quarterfinals, quarterback Holden Geriner had passed for 2,765 yards and 29-TDs. He’s been pretty careful with the ball, only throwing 3-interceptions in 289 pass attempts. Za’Quan Bryan is the top receiver for Benedictine with 78 receptions for 1,152 yards and 11-TDs through the first thirteen games. Meanwhile Justin Thomas has been the workhorse on the ground for the Cadets with 1,245 yards and 23-TDs through the quarterfinals. Defensively, Holden Sapp and Bryce Baker have been tackling machine, as both are well over 100 total tackles each. Sapp and the aforementioned Thomas lead the secondary in interceptions. A win in the finals would give Benedictine their third state title in school history.
The Carver Columbus Tigers are in the finals for the first time since 2007 when they won their only state title. They Tigers are on a thirteen game win streak since dropping their opener to Class 6-A Lee County by 3 points. In their four playoff victories, Carver is averaging 28 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.5. Taking into account the entire season, they are averaging 34.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.4. Carver has defeated one No. 4 seed, two No. 3 seeds and one No. 1 seed to advance to the finals this week. Offensively, they lean heavily on the run, but they can and will throw as they are averaging 167.5 yards per game through the air and 297.8 on the ground. (More total offense per game than their Benedictine.) Through the quarterfinals, quarterback Devin Riles has thrown for 1,830 yards and 14-TDs and rushed for 720 yards and 6-TDs while Jaiden Credle has rushed for 1,874 yards and 22-TDs. James Jackson, Micheal Meriweather, and Cameron Crowell are defensive statistical leaders in total tackles and sacks. A win for the Tigers would mark their second state title in school history.
We know that both teams have the ability to rack up several yards on both the ground and through the air and because both teams are multi-dimensional. That alone should make the chess match for these two defensive coordinators a little more interesting. Last week, we thought it would be Benedictine hoisting the trophy. We still fill that way, but we expect a game that comes down to the wire. If the Cadets can slow down Credle, we believe they will take home the title. Benedictine by 2.
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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)