Today we continue with our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 5A. Matchups include Carrollton-Arabia Mountain, Veterans-Riverdale, Ware County-Ola, and Carver, Buford-Decatur. 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 Carrollton Trojans claimed their first region title since 2011 and qualified for the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season. The Trojans have advanced to the quarterfinals in the past three seasons. Carrollton is averaging 40.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.5 points per game. Quarterback Myles Morris has passed for 1,977 yards and 14-TDs. Brandon Marenco (623 yards, 3-TDs) and Mecose Todd (457 yards, 10-TDs) lead a stable of backs that have rushed for over 2,000 yards this season. The Trojans have recorded 75.5 sacks this season. Chaz Chambliss and Robert Johnson Jr. have 15 each while Kevin Swint has chipped in 12.5 sacks.
Arabia Mountain is in the postseason for the 4th consecutive year. The Rams have struggled to score many points in most of their games this season. The Rams are averaging 8.5 points per game this season, while the defense is allowing 25. We expect Carrollton to win big this week. Trojans by five touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Veterans Warhawks earned the second seed in a challenging Region-1. This is the Warhawks sixth post-season appearance in the last seven years. Veterans is averaging 232 rushing yards per game and is led by Lebron Fields and his 921 yards and 8-TDs. Julian Barnes has chipped in 767 yards and 2-TDs. The Warhawks are averaging 23.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.4 points per game.
The Riverdale Raiders had strung together five consecutive wins at one point during the season. However, they ran up against perennial powers Starr’s Mill and Griffin to end the season. The Raiders have not made it past the 1st round of the playoffs since 2001. Running backs Phalon Daniels (896 yards, 10-TDs) and Malik Harris (602 yards, 12-TDs) pace the Raiders offense. The Raiders secondary has intercepted 16 passes this season. Riverdale is averaging 35.3 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 21.8 points per game. We believe this is the year that the Raiders get back to the second round of the playoffs. Riverdale by 6.
The Skinny
The Ware County Gators won their first region title since 2016 after drilling Wayne County last week. The Gators have won their last four games. They are averaging 26.1 points per game, while the defense is allowing 19.7 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Thomas Castellanos leads the Gators in rushing (800 yards, 15TDs) and passing (767 yards, 6-TDs).
The Ola Mustangs have qualified for the playoffs for only the second time in school history. Ola is averaging 28 points per game, while the defense is allowing 20 points per game. Quarterback Hunter Kautz leads the team in passing (1,460 yards, 13-TDs) and rushing (980 yards, 16-TDs). Defensively, Devin Lee has recorded 12.5 sacks. Ola’s three losses are by a combined 20 points to three of the top 15 team’s in the state. We really like the Mustang’s chances, but our gut tells us Ware by 4.
The Skinny
The Buford Wolves are in the playoffs for the 26th time in 28 years. The narrowly missed out on their 6th consecutive region title when they were upended by Clarke Central last week. The Wolves are averaging 36.5 points per game this season while the defense is allowing 14.5 points per game. Elijah Turner and Gabe Ervin Jr. lead the Wolves rushing attack.
The Decatur Bulldogs are in the post season for the first time since 2005. Decatur had won three straight before losing last week to Carver. The Bulldogs are averaging 24.8 points per game on offense while the defense is only allowing 13.3 points per game. Buford should have too many weapons for Decatur. We like the Wolves by 4 touchdowns.