Week-7 marks the beginning of the second half of the GHSA regular season. It also ushers in region play for many teams around the state. There are several key matchups this week that will go a long way in determining playoff seeding. This is Part I of our Eight Greats Around the State Georgia High School Football Preview. Join us as we preview a few of the more intriguing matchups across the state of Georgia this weekend.
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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 come into this week winners of four straight games and have recorded three shutouts. The Bears are averaging 25.2 points per game while the stingy defense has allowed 6.6 points per game. Pierce will look to continue to establish their ground game as they are averaging 195.4 yards per game on the ground while averaging just 44.2 yards per game through the air. Expect the Bears to turn to Danarius Johnson, Donelius Johnson and Dayton Baker to continue to lead the ground game. We mentioned the stingy defense earlier. They’ve forced 9 turnovers and sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times this season. Knox Bennett leads the team with 5 sacks.
The Rabun County Wildcats will make the five and a half our trek down to Blackshear on Friday for the matchup between two of the top teams in Class 2-A and 3-A. The Wildcats are also winners of four consecutive games. They have been busy beating three out of state teams over the past three weeks. The Wildcats are averaging 50.4 points per game, (despite being held to 13 points against Jefferson in Week-1) Their defense is allowing a respectable 14.2 points per game. Quarterback Gunner Stockton leads the Wildcats in passing (1,628 yards, 22-TDs) and rushing (324 yards, 5-TDs). Top receivers for the Wildcats include Jaden Gibson (24 receptions, 668 yards, 6-TDs), Ethan Clarke (18 receptions, 360 yards, 4-TDs) and Baxley O’brien (13 receptions, 189 yards, 4-TDs).
As stout as Pierce County’s defense has been, they haven’t faced a quarterback like Gunner Stockton yet this season. The long road trip may cause the Wildcats to get off to a slow start, but we think Stockton will shake that off and get a big win on the road. Wildcats by 14.
The Skinny
The Burke County Bears are in the midst of a string of seven consecutive games to close out the season. The Bears opened region play last week with a big win. This week the will host non region foe Benedictine. Most of Burke’s offense has come by way of the ground game, averaging 285 yards per game. Tiger Williams (336 yards, 5-TDs), Charlie Dorsey (202 yards, 2-TDs) and quarterback Marshall Flowers (175 yards, 4-TDs) lead the team in rushing. Flowers has also thrown for 294 yards and 1-TD. The Bears are allowing 20.3 points per game on the season. As an interesting side note, non of the Bears opponents have winning records to this point in the season.
The Benedictine Cadets got a huge win last week as they out-dueled Ware County. Holden Geriner threw for 440 yards and 3-TDs. Geriner has now gone of the 1,000 yard passing mark with 1,212 yards and 10-TDs. Justin Thomas is on pace for a 1,000 yard season with 505 yards and 6-TDs through five games while Za’Quan Bryan has caught 39 passes for 579 yards and 6-TDs. The Cadets defense has forced eight turnovers, including three interceptions by Holden Sapp.
After a big win last week, can the Cadets avoid a letdown as they go on the road? We believe that Geriner will be too tough for Burke County to tame this week. Benedictine by 13.
The Skinny
Don’t be fooled by Eagle’s Landing Christian’s record. The Chargers have loaded their schedule with top competition in Class 5A and Class 3A. E.L.C.A. is averaging 182 yards through the air and 147.5 yards on the ground. Quarterback Charlie Gilliam has thrown for 728 yards and 3-TDs. Junior receiver Jacque Holley has caught 14 passes for 273 yards and 1-TD while sophomore Brandon Hood has 392 yards and 6-TDs. The Chargers are averaging 21 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.7 points per game.
The Trinity Christian Lions are on a torrid offensive pace this season. They are averaging 55.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 8.8 points per game. The Lions have not scored any less than 51 points in a game through their five game run. They are averaging 275 yards through the air and 151 yards per game on the ground. The Lions have five receivers with 14 or more receptions this season; meaning quarterback David Dallas has plenty of options. Dallas has thrown for 1,233 yards and 18-TDs. He’s completing 78% of his passes.The passing game is complemented by Dominick Cosper whose rushed for 491 yards and 11-TDs.
This is a heavyweight matchup between two Class-A Private teams that could meet up in late November or early December in the playoffs. E.L.C.A. has been battle tested, but Trinity has a few more weapons on offense. We don’t believe Trinity will score 50 this week, but we like them by 9.
The Skinny
Calvary Day is off to their third 5-0 start in four years. The Cavaliers have been getting it done both offensively, (averaging 32.3 points per game), and defensively, (allowing 12.6 points per game.) Quarterback Jake Merklinger has passed for 1,167 yards and 8-TDs. He’s completing 73% of his passes this season. Freshman Donovan Johnson is the team’s leading rusher with 636 yards and 5-TDs, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Sophomore Michael Smith leads the team in receiving with 16 receptions for 311 yards. Linebacker A.J. Butts leads the Cavaliers in tackles. Calvary’s secondary has already recorded 8 interceptions on the season.
The Stratford Academy Eagles are also off to a hot start as they are 4-0 for the second time in as many seasons. It could be argued that the Eagles schedule has not been as tough as Calvary’’s but the Eagle’s hav won most of their games handily. They are averring 39.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 12 points per game. Expect for the Eagles to utilize the Wing-T to chew up yards and the ground and chew up time on the clock.
Stratford’s offense can make this game interesting. If it’s low scoring , we like their chances. But we believe Mercklinger will get things going through the air. Calvary Day by 11.