Our Class 3A semifinal previews are up next. . This preview features games between Greater Atlanta Christian – Oconee County and Pierce County – Crisp County.
Last week in our picks, we went 2-2 in Class 3A. The Oconee County Warriors and Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans were winners that we underestimated in the quarterfinals.
If we had to pick a 3A game to attend, it would be Pierce County vs. Cr County.
Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night.
As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment and share.
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The Skinny
The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans advanced to the semifinals for the seventh time in nine years. Quarterback Deymon Fleming has thrown for 1,750 yards and 21-TDs while also rushing for 424 yards and 6-TDs. Brooks Miller and Will Hardy have combined for 84 receptions, 1,095 yards and 16-TDs. Meanwhile, Aidan Bailey and Joseph Rose lead the Spartans in total tackles. In their three playoff games, the Spartans are averaging 33.6 points per game while allowing 6.6 points.
The Oconee County Warriors are in the semifinals for the second straight season and for the third time in school history. Oconee County scored 21 unanswered points to beat Peach County last week. The Warriors have been steady all season on offense behind an offense line anchored by Carson Stocklinski and Jaquette Lester. Meanwhile, players like Liam Lewis and West and Whit Weeks have led the defense all season. In their three playoff games, Oconee County is averaging 31.3 points per game while allowing 9 per game. We expect the Warriors to go on the road and take care of business this week; Oconee County by 10.
The Skinny
The Pierce County Bears advanced to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons. Last week, quarterback Jermaine Brewton helped power the Bears to victory. Pierce County has won seven straight games and in those seven games only one has been decided by less than 33 points. In three playoff games, the Bears are averaging 50.6 points per game while allowing 10.6 points per game.
The Crisp County Cougars are back in the semifinals for the second straight year and for the fifth time in school history. Crisp has used their ground game and a stingy defense to help power them this season. Marquise Palmer, A.J. Lofton and Ahmad Brown have combined to rush for 2018 yards and 18-TDs to help lead the Cougars. Meanwhile, Chris Paul Jr., Nick Mercer and Preston Lavant lead the team in total tackles. Mercer also has recorded a team high 14 sacks and J’kobe Harris’ 5 interception leads a team that has picked off 16 passes total. In their three playoff games, Crisp County is averaging 29 points per game while the defense is allowing 4.3. Crisp County has also not allowed a team to score over 14 points in a game. They’ll be hard pressed to keep that streak alive on the road this week, but we like the Cougars to prevail behind the strength of their defense; Crisp County by 6.