We have reached the end of our semifinal previews as we take a look at the GHSA Class A-Private matchups. The preview features games between Wesleyan – Prince Avenue Christian and Calvary Day – Trinity Christian.
Last week we were absolutely awful with our pics, going 1-3. Congratulations to the Wesleyan Wolves, Calvary Day Cavaliers and Trinity Christian Lions on their victories!
If we had to pick a game in this classification to attend this week, it would be the Wesleyan-Prince Avenue Christian rematch
As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment and share. Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night.
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The Skinny
The Wesleyan Wolves won their seventh straight game and are in the semifinals for the second straight season and the fourth time in school history. Last week, Ryan Rose was extremely efficient completing 14 of 17 passes for 165 yards and two TDs, while Griffin Caldwell rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown as Wesleyan won on the road. Rose has now thrown for 2,074 yards and 13-TDs while Caldwell has rushed for 1,387 yards and 17-TDs. The Wolves have been relatively balanced this season averaging just over 160 yards per game through the air and 153 yards per game on the ground. In their three playoff games, Wesleyan is averaging 25 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.6.
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines finally got over the hump on Eagle’s Landing Christian last week as they advances to the semifinals for the fifth time in six years and the seventh time in school history. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff threw for 296 yards and 1-TD and rushed for two more to help lead the Wolverines last week. Vandagriff has thrown for 3,638 yards and 41-TDs this season and is completing 70.8% of his passes while Landon Owens has now rushed for 1,013 yards and 14-TDs. Both Logan Johnson and Zax Dyer are over 1,000 receiving yards for the Wolverines. They’ve combined for 116 receptions and 2,193 yards and 27-TDs. In their three playoff games, the Wolverines are averaging 47.6 points per game while allowing 11.3. These two teams met earlier this season with Prince Avenue winning by 26. We think the rematch will be closer, but still like Vandagriff and the Wolverines by 17.
The Skinny
The Trinity Christian Lions have advanced to the semifinals in only their third year of GHSA competition. The Lions did make it to the GISA 1-AAA Finals back in 2017. Trinity Christian got three rushing touchdowns from Tyson Wall and three passing touchdowns from David Dallas to lead the way last week. They’ve also won seven straight games entering this week. In their three playoff games, Trinity Christian is averaging 48.6 points per game while allowing 13.3 points.
The Calvary Day Cavaliers are in the semifinals for the first time since 2014 and the fourth time in school history. Last week, freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger threw for 208 yards and 2-TDs while Greg Daniel rushed for 223 yards and 1-TD to help power the Cavaliers to victory. On the year, Mercklinger has thrown for 1,992 yards and 18-TDs while Daniel has rushed for 1,664 yards and 14-TDs. In their two playoff games, Calvary Day is averaging 20 points per game while allowing 10.5. The Cavaliers will need another solid outing from Mercklinger and Daniel on the road, but even then, we suspect Trinity Christian will be tough again at home. We like the Lions by 11.