Today we begin our previews of the first round of the GHSA Football playoffs. In this edition, our Class 7A previews feature Parkview-West Forsyth, Colquitt County-North Cobb, Westlake-Cherokee and Archer Collins Hill. 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 Parkview Panthers claimed their second consecutive region title this season and have gone an impressive 19-1during the past two regular seasons. Cody Brown leads the way with over 1,100 yards rushing on the season. Jordan Williams has passed for 1,526 yards and 17-TDs. The Panthers area averaging 37.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 14.8 points per game.
The West Forsyth Wolverines are in the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season. The school’s best finish was a trip to the quarterfinals back in 2011. West is averaging 15.5 points per game while they are allowing 21.6 points per game. Receiver Casey Cowart and running back Daba Fofana lead the way for the Wolverines offense. Dalton Tjong has intercepted 5 passes for the defense. If Parkview get’s off to a slow start, it could allow the West to gain confidence. We just don’t expect that to happen. Parkview by 24.
The Skinny
The Colquitt County Packers are in the post season for the 11th consecutive time. They have played for the title in 4 of the last 5 years and won it twice during that span. This season, the Pack is led by quarterback Jayce Harden (2,735 passing yards, 33-TDs), running back Daijun Edwards (838 yards, 10-TDs) and receiver Lemeke Brockington (43 receptions, 775 yards, 11-TDs). Nyquan Washington has picked off 4 passes in the secondary. Colquitt is averaging 37 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.8.
Head Coach Shane Queen has his North Cobb Warriors back in the playoffs after missing out on the post season last year. The Warriors scored a big win last week over Hillgrove, their only win over a top-10 ranked team this season. North Cobb is averaging 33 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.5. This game should be a high scoring contest, but we believe Colquitt holds serve on their home field. Pack by 17.
The Skinny
The Westlake Lions won their 6th consecutive Region title this season and are making their 7th consecutive playoff appearance. The Lions are averaging 26.5 points per game and allowing 21.8 points per game. Their only region loss was a surprising 3-point loss to Wheeler.
The Cherokee Warriors have a defense that thrives on creating turnovers. The Warriors are 7-1 when the defense causes turnovers. They are led by sophomore quarterback A.J. Swann who has passed for over 1,800 yards and running back Keith Adams. Landon Ergle and Addarius Harshaw lead Cherokee in receiving. The Warriors were bounced from the playoffs in the first round last season. This week, we like for the Warriors to pull the upset with a strong defensive effort. Cherokee by 2.
The Skinny
The Archer Tigers have only missed the playoffs twice since they started region play back in 2010. Quarterback Carter Peevy and receiver Trey Messer spearhead the Tigers offense. Archer is averaging 35.2 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 14.7 points. The Tigers three losses this season are by a combined 7 points.
Collins Hill also sports one of the top passers in Gwinnett County, Sam Horn. Horn has passed fro 2,115 yards and 21-TDs. Travis Hunter (46 receptions, 884 yards, 12-TDs) and Jalen Johnson (67 receptions, 541 yards, 3-TDs) are Horn’s top receivers. The Eagles have recorded 34.5 sacks on the season, led by James Smith with 8.5. The aforementioned Hunter has also intercepted 7 passes in the secondary. Collins Hill has enough offense to make this game interesting, but we like the Tigers by 10.