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 II of our Georgia High School Football Quarterfinal preview, we feature games between Benedictine-Marist, Lee County-Buford, Carrollton-Westlake and Milton-Mill Creek.
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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 Benedictine Cadets advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh time in eight years. The Cadets have reeled off 10 straight wins and have outscored their two playoff opponents 122-7. The Cadets have a balanced attack on offense throwing for 226.5 yards per game and rushing for 236.5 yards per game. Quarterback Holden Geriner has thrown for 2,538 yards and 26-TDs while Justin Thomas has rushed for 1,160 yards and 23-TDs. Geriner’s top receivers are Za’Quan Bryan and the aforementioned Thomas. Bryan has 74 receptions for 1,072 yards and 10-TDs. Holden Sapp is tops on the team in total tackles and tackles for loss and also has a team leading 5 interceptions. The Cadets have sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times and forced 28 turnovers.
The Marist War Eagles are in the quarterfinals for the fifth straight season and for the ninth time in ten years. The War Eagles are the defending Class 4A state champs and have won nine straight games. Their only loss was a five point defeat early in the season to Woodward Academy. Marist is averaging 40 points per game and is allowing 11. The War Eagles have shutout three of their opponents this season and in their first two playoff games have outscored the opposition 97-14.
Both Marist and Benedictine have rebounded nicely after early season setbacks. This game would have been a great state finals matchup. If Holden Sapp and the Benedictine defense can disrupt the timing of Marist’s option attack, we would like their chances. But Davis’ experience at quarterback might give the War Eagles the edge on the road. Marist by 3.
The Skinny
The Lee County Trojans are back in the quarterfinals for the fifth straight season. The Trojans escaped a valiant comeback effort from Cambridge last week to run their win streak to six games. Lee County is averaging 43.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.5. Freshman Ousmane Kromah had led the way for the Trojans offense this season at running back. He has the benefit of running behind Qae’Shon Sapp and fullback Debo Roberts. Jevell Ferguson is another one of many playmakers for this Lee County team.
The Buford Wolves are winners of eight straight games and are in the quarterfinals for the 22nd consecutive season. The Wolves are the defending state champions. Buford has not lost to a team from Georgia this season and is averaging 37.4 points per game and is allowing 7 points per game. Buford has shutout four of their opponents this season and in two playoff games, they’ve outscored their opponents 82-21. The Wolves are led on offense by running backs Victor Venn and C.J. Clinkscales and receiver Isaiah Bond.
This game is a rematch of the 2020 state finals that Buford won in overtime. Lee County will certainly have revenge on their mind. Expect another close game down in Leesburg, but we believe Buford’s defense will help lead the Wolves to victory on the road. Buford by 3.
The Skinny
The Carrollton Trojans are into the quarterfinals for the sixth strait season. The Trojans are on a 7-game win-streak and are averaging 42.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.1. They’ve outscored their two playoff opponents 90-49. Carrollton is led on offense by dual threat quarterback M.J. Morris. He’s thrown for 2,721 yards and 31-TDs and rushed for 499 yards and 7-TDs. Morris is flanked in the backfield by Bryce Hicks who has rushed for 711 yards and 10-TDs. Receivers Takare Lipscomb, Terrell Carmichael and Ace Williamson have combined to catch 121 passes for 2,105 yards and 25-TDs. The Trojans are averaging 242.5 yards per game through the air and 178.3 yards per game on the ground.
The Westlake Lions are in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. The Lions have won six consecutive games entering this week. Westlake is averaging 39.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.4 points per game. They’ve scored over 50 points three times this season and have outscored their two playoff opponents 90-13. Their offense is led by quarterback Robert Johnson who has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 20-TDs. Running backs Zinah Mulbah and Jai’Den Thomas have provided a great one-two punch, combining for over 1,700 yards and 23-TDs.
Looking at the numbers, one would think this might be a shootout, but we seem to believe that this game will come down to defense. We believe Westlake’s defense is a little better…We like the Lions by 5.
The Skinny
The Milton Eagles advanced to the semifinals for the third time in four seasons. The Eagles have won nine straight games entering this week. This season, Milton is averaging 43 points per game while allowing 19.5 points per game. They have outscored their first two playoff opponents 83 to 35. Quarterback Devin Farrell has thrown for 1,865 and 23-TDs while Jordan McDonald leads the way on the ground with 1,181 yards rushing and 20-TDs. The Eagles have a talented group of receivers headlined by Debron Gatling, Jack Nickel and Adam Freas. The trio has combined for 99 receptions for 1,354 yards and 19-TDs. L.T. Overton and A.J. Crawford anchor a very talented defensive front. Milton’s defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 26 times and forced 24 turnovers this season.
The Mill Creek Hawks advanced to the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. The Hawks have won three straight games entering this week. (Their only loss was to No. 1 ranked Collins Hill in region play). Mill Creek is averaging 37.2 points per game while allowing 15.1 points per game. The Hawks are balanced on offense average 166.5 yards per game through the air and 155.6 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Hayden Clark has thrown for 1,867 yards and 17-TDs. Donovan Journey leads the team on the ground with 968 yards and 18-TDs. Journey also leads the team in receptions while Brendan Jenkins and Makhail Woods have combined to catch 47 passes for 815 yards and 10-TDs.
Both teams are battled tested. Mill Creek’s Caleb Downs is one of the top DBs in the state. But he and the secondary will have their hands fill with a bevy of talented Milton receivers. We think a lot of points will be scored but don’t expect a runaway. Milton by 8.