It’s hard to believe that the first three quarters of the high school football season is coming to a close. That can only means that playoff races continue to heat up. In this edition of our Eight Greats Around the State, we will take a look at games that have either region title or home playoff implications.
There are two key matchups in Region 7-5A. First, Cartersville will host Bartow County rival Cass on Friday night. Can Cass break through and upset Cartersville, or will the Purple Hurricanes continue their mastery in the series? Second, the Hiram Hornets will host the Calhoun Yellow Jackets. The Hornets surprised the Jackets last season, so we know Calhoun will be prepared. The Hornets are playing with confidence. Can they take a step closer in securing a home playoff game?
Over in Hickory Flat, the Sequoyah Chiefs will welcome the Rome Wolves. The Wolves have been dominant in region play over the last two years. Can Sequoyah’s defense slow Rome? Finally, down in Lakeland, Lanier County has never defeated Clinch. The Bulldogs might have their best shot this season, but Clinch won’t just hand them a victory.
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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
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes avenged their only region loss from a year ago with a victory over Calhoun last week. Through the first six games of the season, Cartersville is averaging 325 yards per game of total offense. Khristian Lando continues to pace the Canes with 348 rushing yards and 9-TDs, as he averages 5.4 yards per carry. Meanwhile Jamauri Brice continues to lead the receivers with 13 receptions for 230 yards and 3-TDs. The Canes defense is allowing 8.3 points per game and has shutout two of their opponents this season.
The Cass Colonels have won four straight games entering this week’s game and seem to be clicking on offense. They have scored more than 40 points in each of their victories this season and are now averaging 32.5 points per game. Quarterback Brodie McWhorter is finding his stride and expect him to continue to look for receivers Sacovie White and Devin Henderson to help move the ball through the air. The offensive line is anchored by Kail Ellis and Bear McWhorter. They will certainly need to be on point against an aggressive Cartersville defensive front. Speaking of defense, Cass is allowing 16.3 points per game.
If Cass can keep this game in the twenties, we like their chances this week. We believe this one is much closer than last season, but we believe Cartersville will be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides. Canes by 8.
The Skinny
The Hiram Hornets are off to their best start since 2009 when they went undefeated in the regular season. The 2023 Hornets have had plenty of success on the ground, averaging 288.8 yards per game. Kaden Hamilton and Da’Shaun Williams have combined to rush for 1,044 and 15-TDs. Chase Tyler is the team’s leading receiver with 18 catches for 231 yards and 2-TDs. The Hornets defense has forced 14 turnovers and sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times. They are allowing 18 points per game.
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets are looking to bounce back from last weeks heartbreaking loss to Cartersville. As we’ve mentioned before, the Jackets will lean on the play of quarterback Trey Townsend, running back Caden Williams and Tight End Emareee Winston. However, Kam Penny has shown some big play potential at wide receiver for Calhoun. The Jackets are averaging 29.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.8 points per game.
There is still a lot to be determined in Region 7-5A, but if either of these teams have aspirations of hosting a home playoff game, they will need to find a way to win on Friday night. The Hornets ground game has been impressive. Can Calhoun avoid a letdown after last week’s loss? We believe Hiram will have their number again on Friday. Hornets by 5.
The Skinny
The Sequoyah Chiefs got a come from behind victory last week to outlast the River Ridge Knights. Sequoyah had their largest offensive output of the season last week as they scored five touchdowns. Two of those Touchdowns by Ean Marria, who also doubles as a run stopping defensive end. The Chiefs were able to run the ball when they needed to and that’s a credit to their offensive line led by seniors Brady Curl, Dmitri Morris and Asher Martineau. Will Rajecki (274 yards, 2-TDs), Jackson Hancock (204 yards, 1-TD) and Ean Marria (162 yards, 4-TDs) have been the beneficiaries of that blocking by the Chiefs front five. Sequoyah is averaging 19.6 points per game. Defensively, the Chiefs have sacked opposing quarterbacks 22 times this season with sophomore Matthew Matz leading the way with 7. They’ve also forced 11 turnovers.
The Rome Wolves flexed their muscle last week and ran away from Woodstock for their second consecutive region win. Rome quarterback Reece Fountain added to his passing numbers, as the senior signal caller has now thrown for 1,242 yards and 17-TDs. Special teams might come into play this week and if they do, watch for D.K. Daniel and Toot Stallings to show up big there for the Wolves. Rome’s defense has been dominant; in their five wins this season, they’ve only allowed three touchdowns. Speaking of defense, since joining Region 6-6A last season, Rome’s defense is allowing 4.5 points per game. In that eight game stretch, they’ve only allowed five touchdowns.
All signs point to Rome to continue their domination of Region 6-6A, but if there is a team defensively that might be able to slow them down, we believe Sequoyah might be up to the task. The Chiefs will have to force Rome turnovers and keep Fountain and the Wolves offense on the sidelines. We believe it’s possible, but not probably. Rome by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Lanier County Bulldogs are off to their best start since 2003. While the Bulldogs might not be lighting up the scoreboard, their defense has led the way allowing just 11.4 points per game. Tommy Manning and Erick Brown lead the team in total tackles with 39 and 29 respectively. The Bulldogs offense has been relatively balanced, averaging 150 yards per game through the air and 126.8 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Drake Woolford has thrown for 750 yards and 8-TDs and has added 166 yards and 3-TDs on the ground. His top receivers are B.J. Jones and Darien Taylor; the duo has combined for 28 receptions for 458 yards and 5-TDs.
The Clinch County Panthers have won four straight games and are in search of their first region title since 2018. The Panthers have done most of their damage by way of the ground game as they are averaging 298.2 yards per game rushing and just 57.5 yard per game through the air. It has been a combination of Aaron Bryant and Jeremy Bell leading the way on the ground as they’ve combined to rush for 1,293 yards and 15-TDs. As a team, Clinch has amassed 1,789 yards rushing this season. They are averaging 31.6 points per game. Defensively, they are allowing 16 points per game.
Lanier has never beaten Clinch in 25 tries. The closest Lanier has been was a 3-0 loss back in 2012. We believe both of these teams will put points on the board this weekend and this game will be closer than the 35 point Clinch win last year. The Panthers ground game should wear down Lanier late in the game. Clinch by 9.