Today we begin our previews of the first round of the GHSA Football playoffs. In this edition, our Class 7A previews feature Milton-Central Gwinnett, Marietta-Camden County, Roswell-Wheeler and Mill Creek-Newton. As always, thank you for reading. Please feel free to share and let us know if there are any errors. Best of luck to all teams competing in the playoffs.
The Skinny
The Milton Eagles begin their title defense this Friday night at home. The Eagles had a very challenging non-region schedule but then ran through Region 5 like a hot knife through butter. Ahmad Junearick is approaching the 1,000-yard mark with 969 yards and 13-TDs on the season. The Eagles are averaging 28.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.1 yards.
The Central Gwinnett Black Knights are making their 5th playoff appearance in 6 years. Skylar Adams has passed for 2,861 yards and 27-TDs while Dae Dae Reynolds has caught 83 passes for 1,381 yards and 13-TDs. The Black Knights are averaging 33.6 points per game, but allowing 38 points per game. Adams and Reynolds are capable of keeping the Knights around late. But we like a battle tested Milton squad by a touchdown this week.
The Skinny
This game might be one of the top matchups in the first round in 7A. Marietta is one of the most talented teams on paper in the state. Their two losses this season have come at the hands of 7A powers Grayson and McEachern. Arik Gilbert and Harrison Bailey lead the talented squad into the post season. Marietta is averaging 35.3 points per game while their defense is allowing 19.3 per game. The Blue Devils last won a state title on 1967.
The Camden County Wildcats will make the 5+ hour drive to Marietta this week. The Wildcats are averaging 33.1 points per game and allowing 21.8 points per game. Quarterback Logan Watson and sophomore running back Jamie Felix lead the way on offense for the Wildcats. Camden County won back-to-back state titles in 2008 & 2009. Their best appearance since then was two consecutive quarterfinal runs. We believe Camden will score some points against the Marietta defense, but we like the Blue Devils over the Wildcats this week by 14.
The Skinny
The Roswell Hornets won the Region 4-7A title and now host the Wheeler Wildcats. The two teams met earlier this season with Roswell shutting out Wheeler 28-0 back in September. The Hornets are winners of their last four games and are averaging 31.5 points per game while allowing only 10 points per game.
The Wheeler Wildcats have won their last three games heading into the playoffs. The Wildcats also scored a big win late in the season against the eventual region champion, Westlake. Wheeler is averaging 17.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 22.1 points per game. We don’t believe the Wildcats will be able to create enough offense to outlast the Hornets this week. We like Roswell by 21.
The Skinny
The Mill Creek Hawks are back in the playoffs for the 6th consecutive season. Both of the Hawks losses came at the hands of two-ranked teams. They also scored a big win in a weather-shortened game against Archer. The Hawks are averaging 33.7 points per game and allowing 13 points per game. They are led by Chancellor Lee Parker who has rushed for 1,367 yards and 18-TDs.
The Newton Rams are making their 8th consecutive playoff appearance. The Rams best playoff finish has been the quarterfinals. Newton’s only losses this season have been to ranked teams. They come into this game winners of their last two. The Rams are averaging 26 .1 points per game and allowing 17 points per game. We think this game will be a little closer than expected, but we think there’s too much Chancellor Lee Parker this week. Hawks by 3.