GHSA Playoffs 4A Part 1 of 4

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes won their 8^th consecutive region title this season and are also making their 8^th consecutive appearance in the post season. The Canes are averaging 36.3 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 12.1 points per game, including two shutouts. Cartersville is led by quarterback Tee Webb who has passed for 2,198 yards and 22-TDs. His primary receivers have been Devonte Ross (36 receptions, 808 yards, 9-TDs) and Sam Phillips (41 receptions, 591 yards, 7-TDs).

The Flowery Branch Falcons are back in the post season for the third consecutive year. The Falcons have had to reinvent themselves after the season-ending injury to quarterback Elijah Gainey. The Falcons have used more of a rushing attack on their way to averaging 29 points per game on offense. They are led on the ground by Jaizen Ellingham (818 yards, 14-TDs) and Chandler White (573 yards, 4-TDs). The Falcons defense is allowing 12.9 points per game. The Falcons have defeated three playoff teams this season. The Hurricanes should overwhelm Flowery Branch this week; we like Cartersville by 24.

The Thomson Bulldogs will make their 10^th consecutive playoff appearance this Friday night at the Brickyard. They come into the playoffs winning three of their last four games. The Bulldogs are averaging 27.4 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 22 points per game. Quarterback Taymarian Martin has passed for 725 yards, rushed for 964 yards and accounted for 14 total TDs. His top receiver has been Snoop Williams who has caught 23 passes for 334 yards and 3-TDs.

For the Hardaway Hawks, this will be their second consecutive playoff appearance. The Hawks are averaging 22.6 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 17 points per game. Hardaway has defeated only one teams that qualified for the playoffs. We like Thomson by a touchdown this week.

The Woodward Academy War Eagles enter the playoffs undefeated for the first time since 2015. The War Eagles won their 5^th region title in 6 years. On offense, Woodward is led by quarterback Mike Wright. Wright has passed for 1,876 yards and 26-TDs. His primary receivers are Jacorrei Turner and Ambe Caldwell. Woodward is averaging 38 points per game on offense and the defense is allowing 6.9 points per game.

Upson Lee returns to the post season for the 4^th time in 5 years. The Knights deepest playoff run was back in 1993 when they made it to the quarterfinals. Upson Lee is averaging 19.2 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 28.4 points per game. Quarterback Jake Davis has passed for 1,321 yards and 8-TDs and Thad Webb has 33 receptions for 479 yards and 2-TDs. We believe Woodward has too many weapons and expect them to win big this week. War Eagles by four touchdowns.

The Heritage Generals are back in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. They are looking to get past the first round for the first time since 2016. The Generals are averaging 24.7 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 19.3 points per game. They are led on offense by quarterback Nick Hanson (1,387 yards 16-TDs), running backs Gabe Ogle (519 yards, 2-TDs) and Maddox Rose (406 yards, 3-TDs) . Zach Brown leads the defense with 89 total tackles.

The St. Pius Lions are making their 14^th consecutive playoff appearance. The Lions lost a lot of production to graduation last season. They are averaging 14.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.7 points per game. The Lions have beaten three playoff teams this season. We won’t ever count out Coach Standard and the Lions, but we like Heritage at home this week by a touchdown.