Today we continue with our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 3A. Matchups include Cedar Grove-Fannin County, Benedictine-Monroe, Peach County-Brantley County and Calhoun-Morgan County. 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 Cedar Grove Saints begin their title defense this Saturday. The Saints won their third consecutive region title this season. They are on a six game win streak and have defeated four playoff teams. Cedar Grove is averaging 33 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.3. The Saints defense has shutout four out of their last five opponents.
The Fannin County Rebels are in the post season for the second consecutive year. Their best finish was a run to the quarterfinals in 1995. The Rebels are led by Treylyn Owensby, who has rushed for 1,350 yards and 14-TDs. Jakob Tuggle has recorded 9 sacks for the defense. Fannin is averaging 26.4 points per game while the defense is allowing the same number. Cedar Grove is poised to make another deep run this season. We like the Saints by 33 this week.
The Skinny
The Benedictine Cadets have qualified for nine consecutive playoff appearances. They have won two state titles during that stretch. The Cadets are averaging 41.7 points per game this season while the defense is allowing 20 points per game. They have defeated two playoff teams this season. Trent Broadnax has caught 38 passes for 495 yards on the season.
The Monroe Tornadoes are in the playoffs for the third straight season. The Tornadoes best playoff finish has been the second round, they’ve done that five times. The Tornadoes are averaging 20.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 28.1 points. Quarterback Jordan Edwards has passed for 1,426 yards and 10-TDs to lead the way on offense. Benedictine might be a little down this season, but we like them in this game by 17.
The Skinny
The Peach County Trojans are looking to get back to the state finals for the 3rd consecutive season. This year, the Trojans won their 4th consecutive region title. The Trojans only loss was a 1-point defeat to 5A Houston County. They have defeated five playoff teams and have won seven straight games entering the post season. Peach is averaging 50 points per game while their defense is allowing 14.4. Noah Whittington and Tijah Woolfolk lead the Trojans ground game. Jaydon Gibson has passed for 1,762 yards and 20-TDs.
The Brantley County Herons are in the playoffs for only the 3rd time in school history. The Herons are averaging 21.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.2 points. Clifford Patton and Gavin King have combined to rush for 1,176 yards and 14-TDs for the Herons. Dawson Thomas leads the Herons with 88 total tackles. The Herons look to be moving in the right direction under Coach Geoff Cannon, but the Trojans will be too much to handle this week. We like Peach by 31.
The Skinny
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets are making their 20th consecutive playoff appearance. The Yellow Jackets have beaten four playoff teams this season. They are averaging 33.2 points per game while the defense has only allowed 9 points per game. This is the first time since 2001 that the Yellow Jackets have not won their region. The Jackets enter this game on a six game winning streak. In this 20-year playoff run, the Jackets have only been eliminated once in the first round.
The Morgan County Bulldogs are in the post season for the fourth consecutive season. Morgan County is averaging 26 points per game while the defense is averaging 24.7 points per game. Kobridgette Lumpkin and Quinton Proby lead the way for the Bulldogs on the ground. Calhoun may have taken a small step back this season, but we like them big over Morgan County this week. Yellow Jackets by 4 touchdowns.