We have made it to end of the GHSA Football Season. It has been an interesting ride, but hats off to all of the teams in every classification around the state of Georgia who made high school football possible this season. Our 5A Finals preview features the Warner Robins and Cartersville matchup. Both teams are in search of their fifth state title in school history.
Last week in our picks, we went 2-0 in Class 5A.
Best of luck to both teams competing in the finals. As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment and share.
All helmet images are courtesy of the Georgia High School Helmet Project. To see all of their work, please visit: http://www.gahelmetproject.com
The Skinny
The Warner Robins Demons are back in the finals for the fourth straight season and the ninth time in school history. Last week, the Demons got six passing TDs from quarterback Jalen Addie to help lead the way to victory. It was the eighth straight victory for the Demons whose only loss came to class 6A finalist, Lee County. The aforementioned Addie has thrown for 1,944 yards and 21-TDs, while rushing for 947 yards and 11-TDs. Running backs Jahlen Rutherford and Malcolm Brown have now combined for 2,030 yards and 17-TDs for the Demons. Meanwhile Daveon Walker and Armon Porter lead the team in receiving. Defensive leaders for the Warner Robins include Vic Burley, and linebackers Ahmad Walker and Demarcious Robinson. On the season, Warner Robins is averaging 37.6 points per game while the defense has allowed 14.4 points per game. During their four playoff games, the Demons are averaging 42.5 points per game while allowing 15.7 points per game. They have defeated ten playoff teams this season. A win on Friday would earn them their fifth state title in school history.
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes advanced to the finals for the second time in three years. They will be making their sixth finals appearance in school history. Last week, the Canes played without starting running back Quante’ Jennings but got production from quarterback Carlos del Rio Wilson, Amarai Orr, and Evan Slocum to help lead the way to victory. Since transferring over, Del Rio-Wilson has thrown for 1,371 yards and 12-TDs. The Canes certainly hope to have Jennings back as his 893 rushing yards and 22-TDs to help provide balance on offense. Devonte Ross and Sam Phillips lead the team in receptions and receiving TDs while the aforementioned Slocum, Orr, Phillips and Gavin Geros are all statistical leaders on defense. Cartersville has won eight straight games and is averaging 36.2 points per game while allowing 12.6 points per game. In their four playoff victories, the Canes are averaging 36.2 points per game while allowing 18.2 points per game. Cartersville has defeated nine playoff teams this season. A win would earn the Canes their fifth state title trophy. If Jalen Addie can be accurate against a very talented Cartersville secondary, we think Warner Robins can have a lot of success. Nevertheless, this game will come down to defense and we believe Warner Robins has a slight edge there. We like the Demons by 3.