We were treated to some great games in the second round of the playoffs and this week, and now we are on to the round of eight as we take a look at Eight Greats around the State. This is Part I of our Georgia High School Football Quarterfinal preview, we feature games betwee where we Irwin County-Macon County, Thomasville-Rabun County, Crisp County-Cedar Grove and Perry-Cedartown.
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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 Irwin County Indians advanced to the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive season. The Indians really have not been tested since their September 24th game against Brooks County which Irwin won by 8. They have now won 8 consecutive games on the season. Irwin has only shutout one opponent this season, and is allowing 14.4 points per game. Meanwhile their offense is averaging 40.2 points per game. They have scored more than 50 points, five times this season.
The Macon County Bulldogs are 11-0 for the seventh time in school history. They are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2018. The Macon County defense has shutout five opponents this season and is allowing 9.8 points per game. Offensively, the Bulldogs are averaging 39.9 points per game and have scored more than 50 points twice this season. The smallest margin of victory for Macon County this season was a 8 point victory over Chattahoochee County three weeks ago.
The Bulldogs are the only team remaining from Region 5. While Irwin is one of three teams remaining in Region 2. The speaks to the strength of Region 2, We expect a defensive battle with the home-standing Indians on top by 3.
The Skinny
The Thomasville Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years. They have won seven straight entering this week. Their only loss this season was a 14 point defeat at the hands of Class 3-A Oconee County on the road. The Bulldogs are averaging 138.4 yards through the air and 193.6 yards on the ground. Quarterback Shannen White has thrown for 1,595 yards and 19-TDs while Malik Harper and Ricky Fulton have combined to rush for 1,817 yards and 25-TDs. Thomasville is averaging 30.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 14.2 points per game.
The Rabun County Wildcats have won eleven consecutive games coming into this week and advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive season. Rabun County is averaging a whopping 50.6 points per game and allowing 12.3. In their two playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 119-21. Gunner Stockton has thrown for 3,974 yards and 553-TDs and has rushed for 844 yards and 14-TDs. Jaden Gibson leads the team in receiving with 80 receptions for 1,816 yards and 18-TDs. Rabun County is averaging 338 yards per game through the air and 148.8 yards per game on the ground.
Of the teams remaining in Class 2-A, we believe Thomasville has the best shot of defeating Rabun County. But even down in the City of Roses, we believe Stockton and the Wildcats will be too much to handle. Rabun County by 14.
The Skinny
The Crisp County Cougars dropped their first three games of the season, but since then, have reeled off nine straight victories to advance to the quarterfinals for the third straight season and for the fourth time since 2016. The Cougars are relatively balanced, averaging 139.6 yards per game on the ground and 157.9 yards per game through the air. Quarterback Jack Carter has thrown for 1,535 yards and 16-TDs while Marquise Palmer has now rushed for 1,055 yards and 15-TDs to lead the way for the Cougars on offense. Trae Walker has come on strong this season to lead the receiving corps with 42 receptions for 600 yards and 5-TDs. Crisp County is averaging 33.1 points per game while allowing 12 points per game.
The Cedar Grove Saints have advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive season. The Saints are averaging 45.2 points per game and allowing 12.5 points per game. After a surprising loss to Sandy Creek in the regular season finale, the Saints have bounced back to defeat their first two playoff opponents by a combined 127-10. Rashad Dubinion leads the team on the ground with 1,298 yards and 20-TDs while Jamar Graham has thrown for 1,087 and 12-TDs. Graham is one of three quarterbacks who has attempted over 40 passes for the Saints this season. Bernard Mack, Janiran Bonner and Trevon Farrell are a very formidable trio at wide receiver as they’ve combined for 98 receptions for 1,519 yards and 16-TDs.
There are plenty of story lines in this game as Cougars Coach Miguel Patrick was the head Coach at Cedar Grove the last two seasons. This will also be the third meeting in the post-season for these two titans since 2016. Cedar Grove has a few more weapons on offense, and we believe that might be the difference this week. We like the Saints by 5 on the road.
The Skinny
The Perry Panthers are winners of seven consecutive games and have advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. Their 11 wins is a school record and a win this week would put the Panthers in the semifinals for only the second time in school history. Perry is averaging 35.6 points per game and allowing 9.6 points per game. They’ve shutout four teams this season. As we mentioned last week, Perry does most of their damage through the air, with quarterback Armar Gordon throwing for 2,715 yards and 29-TDs. Receiver Daequan Wright has now gone over 1,000 yards receiving and has 12 touchdown receptions. Perry’s defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 28 times and intercepted 12 passes.
The Cedartwon Bulldogs are also in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. The Bulldogs are winners of their last seven games. Cedartown is averaging 37.7 points per game and allowing 9.5 points per game. Unlike Perry, Cedartown does the bulk of their work on the ground, churning out 328.9 yards of offense on the ground each week. They are led by backs Harlem Diamond, C.J. Washington and Patrick Gardner. The trio has rushed for over 2,300 yards and 36-TDs. The Cedartown defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 39 times and intercepted 11 passes on the season. They will need another big performance this week if they are going to derail Perry on the road.
Both these teams are evenly matched. Great defenses and high powered offenses. Perry certainly has an advantage playing at home, but we believe this is the week that their reliance on the pass might come back to haunt them. We like Cedartown by a two points on the road.