We are down to the last two weeks of the regular season and playoff races are really starting to heat up. In this week’s GHSA Football Preview we take a look at a few games that either have region title implications, or where the right to host a home playoff game is on the line. Matchups include Mill Creek vs. Collins Hill, Coffee vs. Warner Robins, Wesleyan vs. Holy Innocents’, and Douglas County vs. Rome.
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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 Mill Creek Hawks are 8-0 for the first time since 2016, which is also the last time the Hawks won a region title. They can stake their claim to another region title if they win on Friday night. The Hawks come into this week averaging 36.7 points per game while allowing 10.6. Quarterback Hayden Clark has thrown for 1,270 yards and 10-TDs, while Donovan Journey has rushed for 665 yards and 12-TDs. Caleb Downs leads the team in total tackles while Jayvon Henderson is tops on the team in interceptions with 4. As a team, Mill Creek has forced 20 turnovers and sacked opposing quarterbacks 25 times.
The Collins Hill Eagles are the top team in the state of Georgia by most accounts, regardless of classification. Collins Hill has passed every test with flying colors this season and is looking for their second consecutive region title in their regular season finale. The Eagles are averaging 38.6 points per game while allowing a paltry 4.8. They’ve shut out five of their opponents and no team from Georgia has scored more than 10 points against them this season. The Eagles have had success even while star Travis Hunter has been sidelined the last few weeks. Quarterback Sam Horn has thrown for 2,144 yards and 21-TDs and is completing 70% of his passes. Meanwhile Spenser Anderson and Ryan Stephens have combined to rush for 805 yards and 9-TDs. Hunter is still tops on the team in receiving with 691 yards and 5-TDs while Cam Pedro has caught 40 passes for 536 yards and 5-TDs.
This might be the best game in the state this week, at least in terms of hype. Mill Creek will have to execute a sound defensive game plan to keep Horn and the Eagles at bay. We believe that’s possible, but not probable. Collins Hill by 8.
The Skinny
The Coffee Trojans have won consecutive games after dropping their first game of the season to Ware County three weeks ago. The Trojans are a relatively balanced offense, averaging 163 yards per game through the air and 168.8 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Justin Swords has thrown for 1,193 yards and 9-TDs. His top receiver this season has been Maurice Turner with 27 receptions for 374 yards and 4-TDs in only six games this season. It has been running back by committee for the Trojans, as four backs have over 240 yards each this season. Brandon High leads the defense in total tackles (82) and sacks (6). Coffee has sacked opposing quarterbacks 26 times this season.
The Warner Robins Demons exorcised their own demons, bouncing back from their first loss of the season and defeating Wayne County by 56. Warner Robins is averaging 52.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 22.1. Christon Lane has now thrown for 1,678 yards and 22-TDs, while Malcolm Brown has rushed for 1,113 yards and 16-TDs. Daveon Walker leads the Demons in receiving with 43 receptions for 868 yards and 10-TDs. Warner Robins has forced 16 turnovers this season.
The winner of this game will earn the second seed and host a home playoff game, barring and surprises in the final week. We believe Warner Robins is refocused and we don’t expect a letdown this week. Demons by 21.
The Skinny
The Wesleyan Wolves are winners of their last four games and have not lost a region game in 10 contests. Wesleyan is averaging 30.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.3. The bulk of the Wolves offense has come by way of the air, as they are averaging 208 yards per game passing and 116 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Jet Miller has thrown for 1,570 yards and 15-TDs. Thomas Cook, Reed Purcell and Jamie Tremble have combined to catch 74 passes for 908 yards and 8-TDs. Kicker Brooks Sturgeon is averaging just over 39 yards per punt and is 10/13 on field goals and has connected on a 50-yarder this season.
Holy Innocents has won their last five games and are in search of their second region title in three seasons. The Bears are averaging 42 points per game while allowing 13.5 points. They have shutout two opponents on the season and have held three more teams to just a touchdown. Holy Innocents will rely heavily on the run to set the tone for their offense.
We expect the winner of this game to but crowned region title, unless there is an unexpected result in the final week of the season. We won’t expect a defensive struggle, but we do like the homesteading Wolves to win a shootout by 10.
The Skinny
There is a logjam atop region 5-7A and the Douglas County Tigers find themselves right in the thick of things. The Tigers bounced back from a loss to South Paulding two weeks ago with a win over Dalton. Douglas County is averaging 33.8 points per game while allowing 20.8. Quarterback Sire Hardaway has thrown for 1,130 yards and 9-TDs, while LaTrelle Murrell has rushed for 826 yards and 12-TDs. Linebacker Shakai woods leads the team in total tackles while Zachariah Keith leads the team in sacks. Overall, the Tigers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 27 times and intercepted 16 passes on the season.
The Rome Wolves have won their last four games as they face perhaps their biggest obstacle to a region title left on their schedule. On the season, Rome is averaging 30 points per game and is allowing 16. Through their first seven games, quarterback Reece Fountain has thrown for 1,600 yards and 13 TDs. During that same span, Martel Height and DeKaylon Daniel have combined to catch 70 passes for 935 yards. In their two losses Rome has allowed 34 points in each of those games. However in their six wins, only once have they allowed a team to score more than one touchdown.
Both teams have shown they can be explosive, but this game should come down to defense. We don’t expect a lot of points this week, but we do expect Rome to win on the road. Wolves by 7.