Today we conclude our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 2A. Matchups include Rockmart-Temple, Brooks County-Washington County, Metter-Screven County and Union County-South Atlanta. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading! Best of luck to all teams competing this week.
The Skinny
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets won their third consecutive region title and have now gone undefeated during the regular season for the last two years. Last year, the Jackets made it all the way to the state finals. Rockmart has been dominant this season averaging 45.5 points per game and only allowing 7.8 points per game. The most points they’ve given up in a game is 17. That’s also been their smallest margin of victory. Javin Whatley has passed fro 1,221 yards and rushed for 1,006 yards and has accounted fro 32 total TDs.
The Temple Tigers are in the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Tigers best playoff finish was a trip to the second round in 2005. The Tigers are averaging 24.5 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 21 points per game. Phillip Johnson has rushed for 1,589 yards and 22-TDs for the Tigers. We believe Rockmart is too strong this week. They could win this won by as many as six touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Brooks Count Trojans have won three straight games coming into the playoffs. This is their 12th straight postseason appearance. They are averaging 34.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 26.8 points. Brooks has defeated four playoff teams this season. Quarterback Ni’tavion Burrus has passed for 1,367 yards and 15-TDs and Omari Arnold has rushed for 1,023 yards and 10-TDs. All of The Trojans’ losses have come to ranked opponents.
Since 1991, the Washington County Golden Hawks have only missed the playoffs once. The have beaten five playoff teams this season including a big win over Dublin last week. The Golden Hawks are averaging 34.5 points per game and allowing 18.1 points. This might be the best first round matchup in Class AA. We like the War Hawks to upset Brooks at home by 3.
The Skinny
The Metter Tigers won their first region title since 2003 this season. That was also the last time the Tigers won nine regular season games. The Tigers have won four straight games coming into the playoffs. They are averaging 25.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 8.9 points per game. The Tigers have defeated three playoff teams.
The Screven County Gamecocks are in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. The Gamecocks are averaging 31.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 25.3 points per game. Gary Hawkins has paced the Gamecocks with 1,679 rushing yards and 26-TDs. The Metter defense should do just enough to keep this close. We like the Tigers by 4.
The Skinny
The Union County Panthers are in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. The Panthers have not made it out of the first round since the early 70s. The Panthers have beaten three playoff teams this season. They are averaging 40.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 18.3 points. Quarterback Pierson Allison has thrown for 2,586 yards and 27-TDs. Jonah Daniel has caught 140 passes for 1,375 yards and 14-TDs.
The South Atlanta Hornets are in the playoffs for the third straight year. The Hornets have never made it past the first round. They have defeated one playoff team this year and are averaging 29.3 points per game, while the defense is allowing 16.5 points per game. We believe Union County’s air raid offense will be too much for the Hornets to handle. Union County by 21.