We now turn our attention to the Class 2A GHSA quarterfinals. This preview features games between Callaway – Thomasville, Rabun County – Bleckley County, Fannin County – Fitzgerald and Jefferson County – Bremen.
Last week in our picks, we went 8-0 in Class 2A.
If we had to pick a 2A game to attend, it would be Callaway and Thomasville.
As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment and share. Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night.
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The Skinny
The Callaway Cavaliers for the fifth consecutive season. Entering this week, the Cavs have won four consecutive games (including the Week-1 playoff forfeit over Banks County.) Last week, Callaway survived a tough Lovett team to get to this point of the season. Quarterback Demetrius Coleman has been steady for the Cavs all season while running back Charlie Dixon is a load to bring down. The Cavs are averaging 26.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.8 points per game.
The Thomasville Bulldogs will travel up to LaGrange to play for a spot in the semifinals. This will be the third time in four years that Thomasville has appeared in the quarterfinals. Ronnie Baker has led Thomasville with 1,894 yards passing and 20-TDs and has also added 722 yards and 11-TDs on the ground. Ricky Fulton leads the team in rushing with 730 yards and 13-TDs. Ty Anderson leads the defense with 113 total tackles. Thomasville has also forced 37 turnovers this season. They are averaging 34 points per game and allowing 16.7 this season and in their two playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 86-20. We don’t expect a Thomasville blow out this week, but we do like the visiting Bulldogs over Callaway in what looks like a tightly contested ballgame on paper. Thomasville by 4.
The Skinny
The Rabun County Wildcats are in the quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive season. The Wildcats have won nine straight games and have outscored their two playoff opponents by a score of 70-7. Gunner Stockton has thrown for 2,842 yards and 43-TDs and has rushed for 1,276 yards and 22-TDs. Lang Windham has also rushed for 1,233 yards and 12-TDs. Adriel Clark continues to have an outstanding senior season as he has caught 63 passes for 1,393 yards and 27-TDs, which ties the state record for receiving TDs in a season. Will Turpin has notched a team high 109 total tackles to lead the defense, while Sutton Jones has intercepted four passes in the secondary. Rabun County is averaging 48 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.
The Bleckley County Royals are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006 as they went on the road last week and defeated Early County. Coming into last weeks game, Dominic Sasser has thrown for 1,653 yards and 21-TDs while Jahvon Butler has rushed for over 1,000 yards. Jaden Mobley has also had a breakout season at receiver leading the team with over 700 yards and 10-TDs. We can’t talk Bleckley County football without mentioning one of the best players in the country in offensive lineman Amarius Mims as he anchors the Royals at the line of scrimmage. Prior to the playoffs, Bleckley County had dropped two straight games, but have rebounded to outscore their two playoff opponents 97-22. On the season, the Royals are averaging 35.4 points per game while allowing 19.4. They might need to score a few more than 35 to keep pace with Rabun County. Even then, we like the Wildcats by 17 at home.
The Skinny
The Fannin County Rebels find themselves in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1995. The Rebels are led on offense by dual threat quarterback Luke Holloway. He’s thrown for 1,848 yards and 26-TDs and rushed for 780 yards and 9-TDs. Holloway has only been intercepted twice in 203 pass attempts. Jalen Ingram and Cohutta Hyde lead the team in receiving with a combined 57 receptions for 1,236 yards and 22-TDs. Micah O’Neal and Cason Owensby lead the defense in total tackles with 96 and 94 respectively. The Rebels have sacked opposing quarterbacks 30 times and intercepted 15 passes in the secondary. They are averaging 39.7 points per game on the year while allowing 11.8. In the playoffs, they have outscored their opponents 49-35.
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes are in the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. The Canes are 11-0 for the first time since 2009. Fitzgerald is averaging 35.6 points per game while allowing 12.4 points per game. In their two playoff games, they’ve outscored their opponents 93-30. Fitzgerald has defeated ten playoff teams this season. We think they will make it eleven this week. We like Fitzgerald by two touchdowns on the road.
The Skinny
The Jefferson County Warriors are in the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. We’ve mentioned before that the Warriors are a run heavy team and only attempt about 8 passes per game. As a team, Jefferson County has amassed over 2,600 and 41-TDs on the ground this season. When Jefferson County does throw it, Mike Murray has been the primary target with 486 yards and 4-TDs on the year. Aquavious Hunter and Kobe Heggs lead the secondary with four interceptions each. Jefferson County is averaging 36.4 points per game while allowing 17.4 points per game. They have outscored their two playoff opponents 78-51.
The Bremen Blue Devils are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. Bremen is averaging 27.8 points per game while allowing 20.3 points per game. The Blue Devils have won three straight games coming into this week’s game. In their two playoff games, Bremen has outscored their opponents 70-27. Word around Region 5 is that Bremen specializes in stopping the run, so that makes this a battle of strength on strength. We don’t believe the Blue Devils will be intimidated by playing on the road, but we do like the Warriors at home this week in a close game. Jefferson County by 6.