The playoff field continues to be whittled down. Today, we preview the 5A GHSA Football semifinals. Similar to Class 7A & 6A, there are three No. 1 seeds and one No. 2 seed make up the field for the semifinals. There is no real Cinderella, although Starr’s Mill has the most losses (3) of any of the four semifinal teams. The matchups this week are Warner Robins-Starr’s Mill and Jones County-Buford. Best of luck to all teams competing this weekend. As always, please let us know if there are any corrections. Thanks as always for reading and sharing!!!
The Skinny
The Warner Robins Demons have advanced to the finals for the third year in a row. The Demons have now won nine consecutive games. Last week, Jalen Rutherford and James Smith had big games on the ground as both went over the 100-yard mark to help pace the Demons. Quarterback Jalen Addie threw for 106 yards and 2-TDs in the win. The Demons defense also came up big with two defensive scores on Friday. Rutherford and Smith have combined to rush for over 2,000 yards on the season while Addie has passed for 2,142 yards to lead the Demons. The 49 points that Warner Robins scored on Friday was the most they’ve scored all season. In the playoffs, the Demons are averaging 34 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.6 points per game. A win this week would put the Demons in the finals for the third year in a row.
The Starr’s Mill Panthers have advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2010. The Panthers have also won nine consecutive games coming into this week. Starr’s Mill needed overtime to outlast Dutchtown and converted on a two-point conversion run by Kalen Sims to earn the victory. Sims scored two TDs in the victory and Ben Bodne added another rushing touchdown. In three playoff games, the Panthers are averaging 32.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.6 points per game. This will be the first week that Star’s Mill will be on the road in the playoffs. If Starr’s Mill can keep the ground game going we believe they can keep the game within striking distance. But we like the Demons to edge them this week in a close contest. Warner Robins by 5.
The Skinny
The Jones County Greyhounds have advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1961. The Greyhounds have also set a school record with 12 wins on the season. They scored 42 unanswered points in the second half last week to defeat Griffin at home. Hunter Costlow threw for 3-TDs and caught 1-TD and Receiver Jontavis Robertson caught 6 passes for 93 yards and 2-TDs and also tossed a touchdown pass to lead the comeback for the Greyhounds. Costlow is completing 65% of his passes and has thrown for 2,832 yards and 29-TDs. Andrew Carner leads the rushing attack with 1,119 yards and 9-TDs while Robertson has caught62 passes for 1,131 yards and 9-TDs. In the playoffs the Greyhounds are averaging 30.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 11 points per game. A win this week would put the Greyhounds in the finals for the first time in school history.
The Buford Wolves advanced to the semifinals for the 12th time in 13 years as they defeated Carrollton on a 28-yard Hayden Olsen field goal. The Wolves were able to overcome injuries to key starters to get back to the semifinals. Last week, it was back up running back Victor Venn who carried the load for the Wolves on his way to 235 yards and 2-TDs in the victory. Buford is averaging 33.6 points per game in the playoffs while the defense is allowing 10.6 points per game. A win this week would put the Wolves pack in the finals for the second time in four years and the 18th time in school history. We are unsure of the injury situation for the Wolves, but their backups have certainly proved more than serviceable. But going on the road for three weeks may take its toll. We like the Buford “Road Warriors” anyhow in another close contest. Wolves by 2.