GHSA Playoffs 5A Part 4 of 4

Coach Chad Phillips has led the Starr’s Mill Panthers to their fourth consecutive region title and 6^th consecutive playoff appearance. The Panthers are winners of their last five games. The Panthers are averaging 28.2 points per game, while the defense is allowing 17.1 points. The Panthers won’t throw it much if at all. Running backs Kalen Sims (1,034 yards, 8-TDs) and Ben Bodne (812 yards, 14-TDs) have helped pace the Panthers to 2,687 yards rushing as a team.

The Harris County Tigers  have now made it three consecutive playoff appearances. Harris County is a little more balanced on offense. Sophomore quarterback Cooper Corey has passed for 1,204 yards and 15-TDs, while Xavier Richmond has rushed for 716 yards and 5-TDs. Talique Williams (44 receptions, 658 yards, 9-TDs) and Ja’Rell Smith (38 receptions, 548 yards, 5-TDs) lead the Tigers receiving corps. Harris County is certainly battle tested playing in Region-1, but we think Starr’s Mill ground game will be tough to slow down. We like the Panthers by 13.

The Columbia Eagles dropped their first five games before winning four straight. They sport one of the best linemen in the state in Nazir Stackhouse. Columbia played a competitive non-region schedule. The Eagles area averaging 26.9 points per game while their defense is allowing 21.7 points per game. The Eagles have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 1997.

The Kell Longhorns are no strangers to the post-season. Since they began region play in 2004, the Longhorns have only missed the post season three times. The Longhorns are averaging 31.6 points per game, while the defense has allowed 10.6 points per game. Kell’s only two losses came at the hands of two of the top teams in Class 5A. We like the Longhorns chances this week on the road. Kell by 13.

The Riverwood Raiders went undefeated for the first time in school history and also claimed their first region title. They have now qualified for the post season in three out of the last four years. The Raiders are averaging 29 points per game while the defense has only allowed 9.2 points per game. The Raiders have a balanced attack on offense and are led by quarterback Avery Smith (1,402 yards, 15-TDs) and running back Quinterio Lawson (603 yards, 6-TDs). Austin Simmons has caught 29 passes for 739 yards and 8-TDs. The Raiders have sacked opposing quarterbacks 74 times with Jonathan Brown and Kuntrevious Forbes leading the way with 19 sacks each.

The Loganville Red Devils are back in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Last year, as a number four seed, the Red Devils shocked Southwest DeKalb in the first round. This season, Loganville is averaging 20.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.4 points per game. Quarterback Tanner Greene has passed for 1,487 yards and 11-TDs this season. We like Riverwood in this matchup by three touchdowns.

The Dutchtown Bulldogs are in the playoffs for the third consecutive season and for the fourth time in school history. Last season, Dutchtown matched their best finish, advancing to the Quarterfinals. The Bulldogs are averaging 29.8 points per game while the defense has been very stingy, allowing only 10.8 points per game. They’ve shutout their last two opponents and have not given up a score in 10 quarters.

The Statesboro Blue Devils have made it back to the post season for the second consecutive season. The Blue Devils are averaging 23 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.2 points per game. They have won their last two games and have defeated three playoff teams this season. With that said, we still think the Dutchtown defense will hold the Blue Devils at bay. Dutchtown by 20.