We have made it to the semifinal round of the GHSA Football Playoffs. Our first preview this week features games between Collins Hill – Lowndes and Norcross –Grayson.
Last week in our picks, we went 2-2 in Class 7A. Collins Hill and Norcross were the winners we did not expect to see in the round of 8. Way to go Eagles and Blue Devils!
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 Collins Hill Eagles are in the quarterfinals for the first times since 2010 and the third time in school history. Last week, they held off Parkview to win their eleventh game for only the second time in school history. The Eagles enter this game on a seven-game win streak. Last week they got a pick 6 from Travis Hunter and a touchdown pass by Sam Horn in the victory. Horn has now thrown for over 3,000 yards this season. In three playoff games, the Eagles are averaging 26.6 points per game while allowing 9 points per game.
The Lowndes Viking advanced to the semifinals for the third consecutive season. The Vikings defeated their second straight No. 1 seed and now will return to metro Atlanta for the third week in a row. In last week’s victory, dual threat quarterback Jacurri Brown ran for 118 yards rushing while Israel Mitchell added 67 yards rushing and two-TDs. Lowndes has won four straight games entering this week and in their three playoff games are averaging 28.6 points per game while allowing 8.6 points per game. The numbers say that these two teams are evenly matched. Something tells us Lowndes will try to control this game by running more than throwing. However, the third straight trip through Atlanta might finally take its toll on the Vikings. We like Collins Hill by 2.
The Skinny
The Norcross Blue Devils advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2013 after downing Colquitt County last week. It’s the third semifinals appearance in school history. Quarterback Mason Kaplan has thrown for 2,204 yards and 27-TDs this year while Jahni Clarke, Kaleb Jackson and Michael Porter have combined to rush for 2,294 yards and 25-TDs. Zakye Barker and Jalen Garner lead the team in total tackles with both well over 100 on the season. The Norcross defense has forced 25 turnovers this season. In their three playoff games, Norcross is averaging. 34.6 points per game while allowing 15.6.
The Grayson Rams advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2016 and for the sixth time in school history. Grayson recorded their third shutouts in four weeks. Jake Garcia has stepped in at quarterback and in six games has thrown for 955 yards and 10-TDs. Meanwhile, Sean Downer and Joe Tayler have stepped up to fill in for Phil Mafah and both found the endzone last Friday. Grady Bryant and Jayvian Allen lead the team in total tackles while the secondary has intercepted 16 passes on the season. Allen leads the secondary with 5 of those 16 interceptions. In their three playoff games, Grayson is averaging 35.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 2 points per game. We suspect this will be the toughest test of the playoffs for Grayson, but we believe their defense will be the difference in perhaps a surprisingly close game…Rams by 7.