We turn our attention to the quarterfinal round in Class 5-A GHSA Football Playoffs. There are five #1 seeds still remaining and three #2 seeds remaining. Regions 2, 3 and 8 still have two teams remaining. The matchups this week are Starr’s Mill-Dutchtown, Warner Robins-Clarke Central, Carrollton-Buford and Jones County-Griffin. As always, please let us know if there are any errors. Thanks for reading and best of luck to all the teams competing this Friday night.
The Skinny
The Starr’s Mill Panthers are in the post season for the second time in three years. Starr’s Mill has now won seven consecutive games on the season. Kalen Sims and Ben Bodne continue to lead the Panthers ground game with over 2,000 yards combined on the season. In two playoff games, Starr’s Mill is averaging 36.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.5 points per game. A win this Friday would put the Panthers in the semifinals for the first time since 2010.
The Dutchtown Bulldogs are in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season and the third time in school history. The Bulldogs have won their last five games and have shutout three of their opponents during that span. In two playoff games, the Bulldogs are averaging 25.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 3.5 points per game. A Dutchtown win would put them in the semifinals for the first time in school history. We like Dutchtown this week by 4.
The Skinny
The Warner Robins Demons are in the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. The Demons enter this week winners of their last eight games. It was the second consecutive season that the Demons defeated the Rome Wolves in the playoffs. Coming into last Friday’s game, quarterback Jalen Addie had passed for 1,881 yards and 20-TDs, Jalen Rutherford had rushed for 1,054 yards and 4-TDs, and Marcayl Jones had caught 33 passes for 656 yards and 2-TDs to help lead the Demons offense. A win this week would put Warner Robins in the semifinals for the third year in a row.
The Clarke Central Gladiators are in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. They have now won five consecutive games. Quarterback Isaac Ward has passed for 2,380 yards and 32-TDs, running back O’Brien Barnett has rushed for 1,447 yards and 17-TDs, while Jarius Mack has caught 60 passes for 1,117 yards and 17-TDs to lead the Gladiators on offense. Tracy Hill has intercepted 7 passes on defense. A win this week would put the Gladiators in the semifinals for the first time since 2009. We like the Demons at home by 8 this week.
The Skinny
The Carrollton Trojans have advanced to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight season. The Trojans are 12-0 for the first time since 2010. During the regular season, quarterback Myles Morris passed for 1,977 yards and 14-TD while Brandon Marenco (623 yards, 3-TDs) and Mecose Todd (457 yards, 10-TDs) led the team in rushing. Terell Carmichael led the team in receiving with 26 receptions for 652 yards and 6-TDs. The Trojans sacked opposing quarterbacks 75.5 times during the regular season. A win this week would put them into the semifinals for the first time since 2010.
The Buford Wolves turned in back to back impressive performances to advance to the quarterfinals for the 20th consecutive season. The Wolves have now won two straight since their upset loss to Clarke County. Running back Gabe Ervin Jr., and Elijah Turner have combined to rush for over 1,400 yards during the regular season. We expect a close game over in Carrollton on Friday, but we like the visiting Wolves by 2 on the road this week.
The Skinny
The Jones County Greyhounds have advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in six years. Jones County was held to their second lowest point production of the year, but matched one of their best defensive performances. The Greyhounds have now won two in a row. Quarterback Hunter Costlow has now passed for 2,706 yards and 26-TDs, while Andrew Carner has rushed for 1,104 yards and 9-TD. Receivers Jontavis Robertson (56 receptions, 1,038 yards and 7-TDs) and Maleek Wooten (52 receptions, 832 yards, 12-TDs) lead the Greyhounds in receiving. A win this week would put them into the semifinals for the first time since 1961.
The Griffin Bears are back into the quarterfinals for the second time in four seasons. The Bears come into this week winners of their last six games. During the regular season, Quarterback Darshaveious Foster passed for 2,046 yards and 23-TDs while Alijah King rushed for 1,177 yards and 20-TDs. Jamoi Mayes (45 receptions, 611 yards, 7-TDs), Terrell Jester (32 receptions, 524 yards, 8-TDs) and Quamari Williams (29 receptions, 561 yards, 4-TDs) lead the Bears receiving corp. Griffin is allowing 17 points per game in the playoffs. A win would put them into the semifinals for the first time since 2013. We like the Bears to get the upset this week. Griffin by 4.