It’s hard to believe that we have reached the final week of the regular season for high school football here in the Peach State. Here is the second half of our Georgia High School Football previews. Matchups in this edition include Pierce County vs Appling County, Rockmart vs Ringgold, Norcross vs Archer and Metter vs Emmanuel County Institute.
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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 Pierce County Bears are in search of their third straight region title and their 18th consecutive region victory dating back to 2018. Pierce is also the defending 3-A state champs. Their only two defeats are a pair of 7-point losses against Brunswick, a 6-A ranked opponent and highly ranked Rabun County, many peoples favorite to win Class 2-A. Scoring for the Bears has been down a little from last season as they are averaging 29 points per game, however the defense has been stout, allowing just 8.1 points per game including four shutouts. Pierce County does most of their work on the ground as they are averaging 206.4 yards per game led by junior D.J. Bell (511 yards, 4-TDs) and Dayton Baker (459 yards, 6-TDs). Pierce County has recorded 33 sacks and forced 12 turnovers this season.
The Appling County Pirates will be looking to cap off their undefeated season and claim their first region title since 2013. The Pirates are averaging 39 points per game and are allowing just 7.1. They have not given up more than 10 points in a game this season and their closest margin of victory is 17 points, over Class 7-A Tift County. Appling County has two capable quarterbacks in Dayton Griffis and Patrick Crosby. However, much of the fuss around Baxley is around the defense and Darris Smith. Smith is an absolute wrecking ball on defense and is constantly causing havoc in the opposition’s backfield.
This is another matchup that we believe will be a defensive battle. Smith has the ability to be a major disruptor again this week, and while we believe Appling has the propensity to put up a lot of points, this one will be close. We like the Pirates by 6.
The Skinny
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets are in search of their fifth consecutive region title.Rockmart has a 38 game region win streak dating back to October 21, 2016. Rockmart is led offensively by a stable of running backs including Jojo Haynes, Cam Ferguson, Brent Washington, Nahzir Turner and quarterback J.D. Davis. The quintet has rushed for 2,266 yards and 29-TDs. (Another scary proposition is that all five are underclassmen!) Davis has also thrown for 958 yards and 12-TDs and to date, has not thrown an interception. Dennis Sims leads the team in total tackles while linebacker Terrian Webb has recorded 11 sacks to pace their defense. Rockmart’s secondary has been a “no-fly” zone as they have intercepted 13 passes this season. On the year, Rockmart is averaging 41.7 points per game while allowing 17.2. Their only loss this season was in the opening week to Class 6-A Rome.
The Ringgold Tigers are off to the best start in school history and are two wins away from tying a school record for wins in a season. That feat was accomplished back in 2013 when the Tigers made a run to the semi-finals. Ringgold is in search of their first region title in school history. They are averaging 41.5 points per game while the defense is allowing just 10.3. The Tigers defense has recorded three shutouts on the season. While we don’t have official stats for the Ringgold, running back Kori Dumas is a running back with good balance and speed, while quarterback Mason Parker has shown great pocket presence and has the ability to throw with accuracy in and outside of the pocket.
The big question in this game is whether or not Ringgold can slow down the Rockmart ground machine. We believe the Tigers can keep it close, but like Rockmart at home by 2.
The Skinny
The Norcross Blue Devils have won six straight games and look to make it seven this week as they attempt to win their second straight region title. During that six game win streak, the Blue Devils have allowed a total of 16 points and have posted three shutouts. On the year, Norcross is averaging 30.5 points per game and allowing 12.3. The Blue Devils are averaging 128.3 yards per game through the air and 150.6 yards per game on the ground. On Defense, Zakye Baker leads the team in total tackles with 110, including 35 tackles for loss. Norcross has sacked opposing quarterbacks 18 times and forced 23 turnovers.
Head Coach Andy Dyer has guided the Archer Tigers to five straight wins and with one more, they will claim their first region title since 2017. While the Tigers total wins might have dropped off this season, their point production has not, as they are averaging 34.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.3 points per game. The Tigers have shut out four of their last five opponents during the win-streak, and they only yielded one touchdown in the other game. Quarterbacks Caleb Peevy and William Wallace have combined to throw for 1,292 yards and 11-TDs, while Chase Sellers leads the team in rushing with 639 yards and 7-TDs. The Archer secondary has intercepted 10 passes on the season.
Don’t be deceived by the Archer Tigers record. Those early season losses came at the hands of very talented football teams. Norcross will have their hands full with the Archer defense. We like the Tigers on the road by 4.
The Skinny
The Metter Tigers have won 17 straight region games and are 9-0 for the second consecutive season. Metter is looking for their third straight region title. The Tigers are led on offense by versatile running backs Antwan Coney and Danny Cheley. They are averaging 46.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.4 points per game. Metter’s defense has shutout three opponents. They’ve also scored 62 points twice this season.
Emmanuel County Institute has won seven consecutive games entering this week. The only blemish on their schedule is a two-point loss to Savannah Country Day. The Bulldogs are averaging 28.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.7 points per game. Backs P.J. Farnum and Daquan Jones are a potent 1-2 punch for Emmanuel County. Quarterback Bryce Kearson throws well enough to keep most defenses off balance.
The winner of this game will be crowned the region champ. We expect a lot of points scored this week as both of theses offenses are explosive, but Metter is a little more deeper at running back and we believe that will be the difference. Tigers by 12.