GHSA Playoffs 5A Part 3 of 4

The Warner Robins Demons are our No. 1 ranked team entering the post season. The Demons only loss this season came at the hands of 7A power, Colquitt County. Warner Robins has now won three consecutive region titles and have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last nine years. Warner Robins is averaging 34.3 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 14.6 points per game. Quarterback Jalen Addie has passed for 1,875 yards and 20-TDs while Jalen Rutherford has rushed for 806 yards and 3-TDs. Receiver Marcayl Jones has caught 32 passes for 634 yards and 2-TDs.

The Jonesboro Cardinals have won their last two games to make it back to the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. The Cardinals are averaging 22.5 points per game while their defense is allowing 22.9 points per game. We believe the Cardinals will be outmanned this week by Warner Robins. We like the Demons by 30 this week.

The Rome Wolves are back in the post season for the fifth consecutive season. Rome most recently won back-to-back state titles in 2016 and 2017. The Wolves are averaging 39.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 12.8 points per game, including three shutouts. The Wolves have won six consecutive games coming into the playoffs and are led by running backs Ahlijah Blackwell (1,231 yards, 18-TDs) and E.J. Burks (721 yards, 16-TDs)

Lithonia has now qualified for the playoffs for four times in the last six seasons. Lithonia is averaging 25.1 poitns per game, while the defense is allowing 20 points per game. Dvont’e Slaton and Demetrius Taylor have led the way on offense for Lithonia. Rome might not be the team they were the last three seasons, but we expect them to make another deep run. Wolves by 30.

Clarke Central might as well have changed their name from the Gladiators to the “Giant Slayers” after upsetting Buford last week to claim the Region 8 title. The Gladiators won their first region title since 2011 and have qualified for four consecutive playoff berths. The Gladiators have won three consecutive games heading into the playoffs. They are averaging 33 points per game while the defense is allowing 25.2 points per game.

Meanwhile, the Lithia Springs Lions are in the post season for the first time since 1981. The Lions qualified for the playoffs be winning a Round Robin play-in tournament. The Lions are averaging 22.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.4 points per game. The Lithia Springs defense will need to come up big this week in order for them to advance. However, we believe Clarke will control the pace of play. Gladiators by 16.

The Wayne County Yellow Jackets were denied their third consecutive region title last week when they fell to Ware County. The Yellow Jackets have now made eight consecutive playoff appearances. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 29 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 21.7 points per game.

The Stockbridge Tigers have now qualified for ten consecutive playoff appearances. Prior to 2010, the Tigers had only qualified for the post season once, in 1983. While the Tigers might not have the household names we were used to in the last few seasons, they’ve still managed to average a respectable 27.1 points per game, while the defense is allowing 18.8 points per game. This is definitely one of the more intriguing matchups in the 5A playoffs, we’ll take Stockbridge on the road, by 4.