The first week of the Georgia High School playoffs is in the books and there were plenty of surprises. Many of our brackets have been busted and we admit, our picks of Riverwood (6A), Jefferson (4A) Rockmart (3A) certainly make us question what we were thinking when we filled out brackets last weekend. So while we lick our wounds over some of those picks, we look ahead to week two of the playoffs.
We expanded our Eight Greats Around the State to Twelve Greats Around the State this week as we give our Georgia High School Football Second Round Playoff Previews. This is Part I of III. This preview features games between Archer-Walton, North Cobb-Roswell, Northside Warner Robins-Douglas County and Kennesaw Mountain-Westlake.
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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 Archer Tigers have advanced to the second round of the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. They extended their win streak to seven games and in the process, the Tigers continued with their defensive dominance, as they have not allowed more than seven points in a game since September 17th. Suffice to say, it all starts with defense for the Tigers. On the season, Archer is allowing 10.7 points per game while the offense is averaging 33.5.
The Walton Raiders had a suspicious end to the season, falling to Marietta two weeks ago. However, the Raiders were able to bounce back and go on the road to Colquitt County and get a big victory as they advanced to the second round for the fifth consecutive season as well. Walton has won three of their last four games. They are averaging 35.6 points per game while the defense has allowed 27.4 points per game. Walton has only scored fewer than 31 points twice this season. The Raiders have a relatively balanced attack, averaging 194.6 yards per game through the air and 175.3 yards per game on the ground.
We know that typically when we talk about Gwinnett County teams we marvel at their team speed. Archer is no different, especially their defense. However, Walton has just as much team speed. We aren’t particularly high on Walton’s defense, but we believe Mustafa Heffner, Sutton Smith and Braylen Stokes will help power the Raiders to another upset this week. Walton by 8.
The Skinny
The North Cobb Warriors ran their win streak to ten straight as they had relatively little trouble with Camden County last week. After a close call with North Paulding two weeks ago, the Warriors seemed to be in great form to make a serious run in the playoffs. It’s the second straight year that the Warriors have advanced to the second round of the playoffs. During the regular season quarterback Malachi Singleton threw for 1,974 yards and 16-TDs, he also led the team in rushing with 755 yards and 17-TDs. Top receivers for the Warriors include Sam Mbake, De’Nylon Morrissette, and Reggie Givhan. North Cobb is averaging 38 points per game while allowing 13.3.
The Roswell Hornets had a big win last week over Meadowcreek to run their win streak to three games and advance to the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season. Last week, quarterback Robbie Roper set the schools single season passing touchdown record (33). Roper has thrown for 2,437 yards and is second on the team in rushing with 358 yards and 3-TDs. Shaun Spence, Ehtan Nation, and Ethan Crite have been the top wide receivers for the Hornets, having combined to catch 103 passes for 1,183 yards and 22-TDs. Roswell is averaging 37.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.4 points per game.
If there was a team that could derail North Cobb, Roswell certainly has the offensive firepower to do it. This could be a high scoring game, but look for North Cobb to have a little more in the tank to outlast a feisty Roswell team. North Cobb by 11.
The Skinny
The Northside Warner Robins Eagles advanced to the second round of the state playoffs for the first time since 2018. They are winners of four of their last five games and are averaging 26.1 points per game while allowing 20.7 points per game. Outside of a forfeit win over Howard, all of their wins came against playoff teams. Well, Howard is the only team that Northside played that did not qualify for the post-season. Last week’s 32 point victory was the fourth time they’d defeated a time by at least 32 points.
The Douglas county Tigers broke a two game losing streak with their seven point upset victory over Riverwood. (A team we had tabbed to make it to the finals.) Douglas County advanced to the second round of the state tournament for the first time since 2017. Sophomore quarterback Sire Hardaway has thrown for 1,538 yards and 11-TDs. His top receivers are a pair of juniors in Monte Gooden and Hilton Alexandra, Jr. The duo has combined for 97 receptions for 1,281 yards and 9-TDs. The Tigers area averaging 30.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.7 points per game.
A Douglas County win would advance the Tigers to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1988. They’ve played in one of the toughest regions in the state. But we know that Northside will not go quietly into the night. We like the Eagles at home this week in a lower scoring defensive battle. Northside by 6.
The Skinny
The Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Mustangs have reeled off four straight wins and are averaging 34 points per game while allowing 11.1. The 21 points allowed last week matched a game high that the defense allowed this season. The Mustangs are averaging 179.1 yards per game through the air and 155.5 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Cayman Prangley has thrown for 1,882 yards and 24-TDs while Jah Welch leads the team in rushing with 694 yards and 8-TDs. Savion Riley is Prangley’s primary target as he has caught 34 passes for 606 yards and 7-TDs, but Jailen Taylor has been a big play receiver for the Mustangs with 18 receptions for 700 yards and 10-TDs.
The Westlake Lions advanced to the second round of the state playoffs for the second year in a row and for the sixth time in eight seasons. It was the fifth straight win for the Lions as well as their fifth 30+ point victory of the season. Westlake is averaging 38.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.6 points per game. During the regular season, quarterback R.J. Johnson threw for 2,025 yards and 20-TDs while Jai’Den Thomas and Zinah Mulbah had combined to rush for 1,192 yards and 13-TDs. The Lions are averaging 208.6 yards per game through the air and 173.2 yards per game on the ground.
We haven’t talked much about defense in this preview, but Westlake’s Gannon Weathersby could be key in this game. He is one of the top defensive players in Class 6-A. This will be the toughest defense that Kennesaw Mountain faces this season and we believe Westlake’s defense will prevail. We like the Lions by 10.