Today we continue with our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 3A. Matchups include Greater Atlanta Christian-Pace Academy, Cook-Windsor Forest, Pierce County-Central Macon and Hart County-Haralson 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 Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans won their 6th consecutive region title this season. Since they started playing a region schedule in 1992, the Spartans have only missed the playoffs three times. They have defeated five playoff teams this season and are averaging 36 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 15.2 points. They have won nine consecutive games, and their only loss was a one-point setback to Lovett.
Pace Academy is in the post season for the 6th straight season. They are averaging 18.5 points per game and allowing 20 points per game. They have lost three of their last four games entering the playoffs. We don’t expect this to be a runaway early, but we do expect GAC to win this Friday. Spartans by 17.
The Skinny
The Cook Hornets are in the post season for the 20th consecutive season. They are winners of three out of their last four games. The Hornets are averaging 18.7 points per game, while the defense is allowing 26.8 points per game. The Hornets have defeated one playoff team this season.
The Windsor Forest Knights were originally slated as the 4th seed, but a forfeit by Beach moved them to the No. 3 seed. The Knights are in the playoffs for the third consecutive season. They have never advanced past the first round. They are averaging 24.2 points per game, while the defense is allowing 16.2 points per game. They are winners of three of their last four games. We think this might be the year for Windsor Forest. We like Windsor Forest by 4 in a competitive matchup.
The Skinny
The Pierce County Bears are our No. 1 ranked team entering the postseason. The Bears are in the playoffs for the 9th straight season and were one game away from reaching the finals last year. Pierce County is averaging 41.1 points per game, while the defense has allowed 10.3 points, which also include four shutouts. Running Back L.J. Newton has paced the offense with 738 yards and 10-TDs.
The Central Chargers are winners of three of their last four games this season. That propelled them into the postseason for the 10th time in school history. The Chargers are averaging 23.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 31.2 points per game. Quarterback Jalik Thomas has passed for 837 yards, rushed for 922 yards and accounted for 19 total TDs. Maurice Elder has also added 785 yards rushing and 10-TDs. We believe Pierce can make another deep run this season. We like them by four touchdowns this week.
The Skinny
Since 1987, the Hart County Bulldogs have only missed postseason play four times. The Bulldogs are averaging 35.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.9 points. The Bulldogs have defeated four playoff teams this season. They have also won three straight entering Friday night’s game.
The Haralson County Rebels won eight games for the second consecutive season and are also in the playoffs for the second straight year. The Rebels have never advanced past the first round. The Bulldogs are averaging 30.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.9 points. The Rebels have defeated one playoff team this season. We expect for Haralson County to be in this game late, but we like Hart to win by 4.