Today we continue with our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 5A. Matchups include Southwest DeKalb-Hiram, Griffin-Bainbridge, Jones County-South Effingham, and Carver, Atlanta-Cedar Shoals. 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 Southwest DeKalb Panthers claimed their second consecutive region title this season. They are in the post season for the 4th consecutive year. The Panthers only loss came at the hands of Class 6A Stephenson. The Panthers outscored their opponents 338-117 this season. Quarterback Rion White has passed for over 1,400 yards on the year. His leading receivers are Aquil Muhammed, Tommy Wright, and Robert Grady. Through 9 games, the Southwest defense had forced 27 turnovers. John Grant has recorded 14 sacks this season and is one the team leaders in total tackles.
Meanwhile, the Hiram Hornets qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Jalen Townser has rushed for 832 yards and 6-TDs while Dylan Stockunas leads the Hornets in receiving with 25 receptions for 651 yards and 4-TDs. Hiram is averaging 22.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.1 points per game. Hiram has lost their last three games, although, those were against 3 teams ranked in the top-10 in Class 5A. We like Southwest’s defense this week. Panthers by 8.
The Skinny
The Griffin Bears have only missed the playoffs once since 1996. This season, the team’s only setback was a 3-point loss to Starr’s Mill. The Bears are averaging 39.5 points per game, while the defense is allowing 11.7 points per game. The Bears have gotten plenty of offense from quarterback Darshaveious Foster (2,046 yards, 23-TDs) and Alijah King (1,177 yards, 20-TDs). Jamoi Mayes has caught 45 passes for 611 yards and 7-TDs.
The Bainbridge Bearcats seemingly came out of nowhere last season to win the state title. This season, the Bearcats are the No. 3 seed in Region-1. Bainbridge is averaging 28.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 14.1 points per game. Quarterback Quayde Hawkins has passed for 1,763 yards and 16-TDs and Rashad Broadnax has rushed for 915 yards and 11-TDs. Deyon Bouie (28 receptions, 510 yards, 6-TDs) and Braxton Johnson (39 receptions, 534 yards, 4-TDs) lead the Bainbridge receivers. The Bearcats defense has recorded 24 sacks and intercepted 10 passes. Call us crazy, but we like Bainbridge on the road this week by 6.
The Skinny
The Jones County Greyhounds looked impressive all season until they were upset last Friday by Stockbridge. The game had no bearing on the region seeding however. The Greyhounds are averaging 33.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.8 points per game. Quarterback Hunter Costlow has passed for 2,352 yards and 25-TDs. His top receivers are Jontavis Robertson (46 receptions, 861 Yards, 7-TDs) and Maleek Wooten ( 44 receptions, 756 yards, 11-TDs). Andrew Carner has added 909 yards rushing and 7-TDs.
South Effingham is in the playoffs for the third time in the last four years. The Mustangs best finish was a run to the quarterfinals in 2012. The Mustangs did have success scoring this season, offensively, they averaged 37.8 points per game, while the defense allowed 33.3 points per game. They are led by quarterback Taylor Jackson (1,900 yards passing, 22-TDs) running back Rocko Griffin (829 yards, 15-TDs) and receivers Noah Hoang (26 receptions, 634 yards, 11-TDs) and Zachary Taylor (40 receptions, 656 yards, 5-TDs). The Mustangs have dropped their last three games. That’s not a great trend heading into the postseason. We suspect plenty of points will be scored in this game, but we like Jones County by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Carver Atlanta Panthers have been up and down this season. With the exception of their game against Lithia Springs, they’ve won the games we thought they should. The Panthers area averaging 28.5 points per game on offense and allowing 13.8 points on defense. Running back Jo’quavious Marks fuels the Panthers offense with over 1,700 yards rushing and 23-TDs. Marks has rushed for over 200 yards in five games this season.
The Cedar Shoals Jaguars are winners of their last three games and have now qualified for the post season for three consecutive seasons. The Jaguars are averaging 28.3 points per game, while their defense is allowing 20.8 points per game. The Jaguars offense is led by running back Jerdavian Colbert (1,157 yards, 12-TDs) and quarterback Jaylan Rusher (892 passing yards, 523 rushing yards, 18 total-TDs). We like Marks and the Panthers in a competitive game. Carver by 6.