We now look at the quarterfinal round in the Class A-Public GHSA Football Playoffs. Six of the top seven seeds are still alive. The biggest “Cinderella” remaining is Warren County, who entered the post season as the 21st seeded team. The matchups this week are Mitchell County-Pelham, Marion County-Lincoln County, Clinch County-Warren County and Irwin County-Manchester. This week, our prayers go out to Garland Benyard of Irwin County who has played a big role on both sides of the ball for the Indians this season. He is recovering from an accident that occurred earlier this week. 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 Mitchell County Eagles are in the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. The Eagles have won 10 in a row entering this week. Last week, James Thomas provided most of the offense, rushing for 246 yards and 4-TDs in the Eagles victory. The defense also showed up big holding an opponent to 7 points or less for the seventh time this season. A win this week would put the Eagles in the semifinals for the first times since 1992.
The Pelham Hornets are back in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. The Hornets outlasted Wilcox County last week to earn a rematch with their county rival. Quarterback Kendrick Patterson threw for 299 yards and 3-TDs last week and also added 117 yards rushing and a rushing TD to lead the Hornets. Darrell Starling caught 5 passes for 101 yards and 2-TDs in the win and also intercepted a pass on defense. A win this would put the Hornets in the semifinals for the second week in a row. We believe this game will be even closer this week than the matchup earlier this month, but we like Mitchell County by 4.
The Skinny
The Marion County Eagles advanced to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. They have won six games in a row and have scored 30 or more points in all of those games during that streak. The Eagles had to come from behind last week to defeat Schley County to advance. Trice McCannon has now thrown for 1,864 yards, rushed for 729 yards and accounted for 41 total TDs while Brandon Thomas has rushed for 801 yards and 5-TDs. The Eagles are averaging 34.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.9 points per game. A win this week would put them into the semifinals for the second year in a row.
The Lincoln County Red Devils are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. The Red Devils edged out Commerce last week. They have now won seven consecutive games. The Red Devils have relied heavily on the legs of Kolbi Ferguson and Colton Willis this season. They have attempted less than 75 passes all season. The defense has been stingy this season, allowing only 8.4 points per game. The 17 points they surrendered to Commerce last week was the most they’d given up in a game all season. A win this week will put the Red Devils into the semifinals for the first time since 2012. We like Lincoln County in a mild upset this week on the road by 5.
The Skinny
The Clinch County Panthers have advanced to the quarterfinals for the fifth year in a row. The Panthers are the back-to-back defending State Champions. Clinch has won seven consecutive games coming into Friday. Last week, Clinch jumped out to a 20-0 lead before defeating Emmanuel County by 23. Clinch is now averaging 36.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 15 points per game. Tyler Morehead spearheads the Panthers offense and is complimented by backs Michael Walker and Xavier Trawick. A win this week would put Clinch County back into the semifinals for the fifth year in a row.
Warren County is in the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2007. The Screaming Devils have won six of their last seven games coming into this week. Last week, they went on the road and shocked Bowdon. In the playoffs, the Screaming Devils are outscoring their opponents 64-14. On the season, Warren County is averaging 31.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.2 points per game. A win this week would put the Screaming Devils into the semifinals for the first time since 1970. We like Clinch at home this week by 17.
The Skinny
The Irwin County Indians advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh straight season. The Indians are also 10-0 for the second year in a row. Last week against Chattahoochee County, the Indians allowed the most points they’d given up all season, 22. Yet, most of those points where scored after the game was well in hand. The Indians are averaging 39.7 points per game while the defense is now allowing 4.4 points per game. Kam Ward, Gabriel Benyard and D.J. Lundy continue to lead the ground game for the Indians. A win this week would put Irwin County in the semifinals for the third straight season.
The Manchester Blue Devils went on the road and got a big win over Johnson County to advance to the quarterfinals for the third time in four years. Manchester has now won five games in a row. In two playoff games, the Blue Devils have outscored their opponents 76-20. They are averaging 34.5 points per game and have scored 40+ points six times this season. A win this Friday would put the Blue Devils into the semifinals for the first time since 1997. Ironically, that year, the Blue Devils won the state title, defeating none other than Irwin County. That’s the only time these two teams have faced off. We like the Indians this week by 17 at home.