GHSA Playoffs 4A Part 2 of 4

The Blessed Trinity Titans won their sixth region title in the last seven years. They are also the two time defending State Champion. We’ve had a chance to watch the Titans play a couple of times this season and they always seem disciplined and well-coached. Freshman running back  Justice Haynes has led the way for the offense this season with 1,210 yards and 14-TDs. Elijah Green has returned to the backfield, which has given the Titans a dynamic one-two punch at running back. Blessed Trinity is averaging 30.5 points per game on offense and allowing 15.4 points per game on defense.

The Troup Tigers are making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. They are led by quarterback Kobe Hudson. Hudson can beat teams with his arm and his leg by evidence of his 1,449 yards passing, 923 yards rushing and 24 total TDs. Trey Williams has rushed for 1,415 yards and 14-TDs. As a team, Troup is averaging 33.4 points per game on offense and 25.2 points per game on defense. Their only losses have come to 4 playoff teams. Troup is an explosive team that should not be taken lightly. If the game is close, the edge probably goes to Blessed Trinity as they are 3-1 with games decided by 3 points or less. We think this is one of those games. We like the Titans by a field goal.

The Cairo Syrupmakers are no stranger to post season play. Since 1989, Cairo has only missed the playoffs 4 times. Cairo narrowly missed out on their second consecutive region title after losing to Carver-Columbus earlier this season. The Syrupmakers are averaging 37.4 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 13.4 points per game. Quarterback Matthew Peters has passed for 1,197 yards and 15-TDs, while Tay Solomon has rushed for 662 yards and 10-TDs. Matthew Peters has added 603 yards and 7-TDs.

The Baldwin Braves are making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The Braves had a challenging non-region schedule, but closed out their season winning four of their last five games. Offensively, the Braves are averaging 25.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.1 points. We believe Cairo has more weapons on offense in this matchup. Syrupmakers by 16.

Head Coach Kagan McClain has led the West Laurens Raiders to their first region title since 2014. The Raiders only loss this season was a one-point setback to South Effingham. They are averaging 37.2 points per game this season, while the defense has surrendered 10.1 points per game. Quarterback A.J. Mathis has passed for 2,101 yards and 21-TDs while Daniel Dorsey has rushed for 686 yards and 12-TDs. Brent Carr has caught 71 passes for 1,150 yards and 6-TDs. The best player on the field Friday night will probably be D’Eryck Jackson who has 89 total tackles and 8 sacks for the Raiders.

The Luella Lions are back into the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Lions area averaging 13.1 points per game while their defense is allowing 19.8 points per game. The Lions have not defeated a playoff team this season. These two teams met back in the first round of the 2016 season. We like West Laurens this week perhaps by a similar margin to the 2016 game. Raiders by 21.

The North Oconee Titans have now made the postseason in ten of the last twelve seasons. The Titans have done most of their work through the air with quarterback Bubba Chandler leading the way. They are averaging 35.2 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 13.9 points per game.

The Pickens Dragons are in the playoffs for the second consecutive season and for the fifth consecutive season. The Dragons are a year removed from their first region title and return quarterback C.J. Streicher who can beat defenses with his arm and with his legs. Streicher and the Dragons are averaging 32.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.2 points per game. In this game of dueling quarterbacks, we like Chandler and the Titans. North Oconee by 10.