Our Class 3A quarterfinal previews are up next. This preview features games between Greater Atlanta Christian – Appling County, Oconee County – Peach County, Pierce County – Carver, Atlanta and Crisp County – Cedar Grove.
Last week in our Class 3A picks, we went 7-1. The Carver Atlanta Panthers proved us wrong last week! Way to go Panthers!
If we had to pick a 3A game to attend, it would be the rematch of the 2019 finals, Cedar Grove at Crisp County. But let’s be real, all of these games should be fantastic.
Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night.
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The Skinny
The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh time in nine years. The Spartans recorded their second shutout of the season and have now outscored their two playoff opponents 70-7. Greater Atlanta Christian got two rushing touchdowns from quarterback Deymon Flemming and two from running back Marcus Wilson in last week’s victory. This season, Flemming has thrown for 1,651 yards and 20-TDs while Aidan Baily and Joseph Rose lead the defense with 77 and 75 total tackles respectively. The Spartans are averaging 29.9 points per game on offense while allowing 11.2.
The Spartans will host the Appling County Pirates from Region 1. Appling County advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. Last week, the Pirates scored over 60 points for the third time this season. They are averaging 43.5 points per game while allowing 12.2. Earlier this season, we mentioned how well the Pirates swarm to the ball on defense. They will need a lot more of that this week as they make the trip up from Baxley. In their two playoff games the Pirates have outscored their opponents 103-20. Appling won’t score 60 this week, but we believe they will score just enough to get a big victory on the road. Pirates by 9.
The Skinny
The Oconee County Warriors advanced to the quarterfinals for the second straight season and are 10-0 for the first time since 2001. Oconee County has not surrendered more than 16 points in any game and on average is allowing 8.5 points per game. Defensive leaders for the Warriors include West Weeks, Justin Coleman and Liam Lewis among others. On offense the Warriors are averaging 30.8 points per game with Jake Johnson as the primary target at receiver. In their two playoff games, Oconee County has outscored their opponents 63-14.
The Warriors will host Class 3A perennial power Peach County. The Trojans advanced to the quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive season. Peach County has won nine straight games entering this week since their week-1 loss. The Trojans have not allowed more than 14 points in a game this season. Offensively they are scoring 41.4 points per game while allowing 7.5. In their two playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 106-7. Expecting Peach to put up 41 points on the road is probably a little outlandish, but we do believe the Trojans have enough weapons on offense to steal one this week. Peach County by 6.
The Skinny
The Pierce County Bears are back in the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Since dropping a game to Fitzgerald, the Bears have won six straight games and recorded their fourth shutout of the season. Quarterback Jermaine Brewton and running back D.J. Bell have helped lead the offense this season. Meanwhile, Austin Jernigan and Spencer Woodcock lead the team in tackles. Pierce County is averaging 36.7 points per game while the defense is allowing only 8.9.
The Bears will host the Carver Panthers out of Atlanta. Carver is making their second quarterfinals appearance since 2017. Jarveous Brown has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the season to lead the way for the Panthers offense. Carver has won five of their last six games entering this week and have outscored their two playoff opponents 55-42. On the season, the Panthers are averaging 21.3 points per game while allowing 25.2. We expect for the Pierce County defense to cause problems for the Carver offense this week and for the Bears offense to continue to roll. We like Pierce County by 18.
The Skinny
The Crisp County Cougars are in the quarterfinals for the third time in five years. The Cougars have been almost spotless this season, with their lone loss coming at the hands of Peach County by 1. They have won five games since then and have really flexed their defensive muscle in the playoffs, outscoring their opponents by a score of 71-0. Marquise Palmer and quarterbacks AJ Lofton and Ahmad Brown help lead the way on offense for the Cougars while Chris Paul Jr., Nick Mercer and Preston Lavant lead the way for the Cougars defense. Crisp has sacked opposing quarterbacks 41 times while J’Kobe Harris leads the secondary with 9 interceptions. Crisp County is averaging 28.3 points per game overall this season while allowing 5.7.
They will host the Cedar Grove Saints who are in the quarterfinals for the sixth straight season. For those who don’t know, the Saints are the two time defending Class 3A Champions and have made it to the semifinals in each of the past five seasons. The Saints are winners of their last three games, but had to survive a scare in overtime against Rockmart last week. Cedar Grove has outscored their two playoff opponents 58-39. On the season, the Saints are averaging 33.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.5. While those numbers are really impressive, we think there might be a hitch in their giddy-up and could be ripe for an upset. We like the Cougars at home by 1.