5A GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 2

We move on to the second round of the 5A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Hiram Hornets scored the biggest upset in round won as they beat #1 seed Southwest DeKalb. Region 7 advanced 4 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between Clarke Central-Wayne County, Starr’s Mill-Kell, Riverwood-Dutchtown and Warner Robins-Rome. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Clarke Central Gladiators advanced to the second round for the third time in four years. The 63 points scored on Saturday was the most that Clarke Central has scored all season. The Gladiators have now won four games in a row and are 6-3 against playoff teams this season. Clarke Central is also undefeated when scoring 28 points or more this season.

 

Wayne County is in the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Yellow Jackets last advanced past round two in 2013 when they made it all the way to the semifinals. Wayne County bounced back from their regular season finale loss as their defense held Stockbridge to 3 points. The Yellow Jackets have now beaten five playoff teams this season. We like Clarke Central at home this week by 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Starr’s Mill Panthers advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Starr’s Mill has now won six consecutive games. The Panthers have held there last two opponents to 14 total points. They are also undefeated when scoring 28 points or more this season.

 

The Kell Longhorns are in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year and for the ninth time in ten years. Kell has now won four straight games. However, the 32 points they surrendered to Columbia was the most since they lost to Carrollton back on October 18th. Kell has defeated three playoff teams this season. We like Starr’s Mill to take control of the game on the ground this week and outlast Kell in a close game. Starr’s Mill by 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Riverwood Raiders stayed undefeated by edging Loganville last week. The victory was by the slimmest of margins all season for the Raiders. The Raiders advanced to the second round for the first time since 2001 and for only the second time in school history. The Riverwood defense has not surrendered more than 20 points in a game this season.

 

The Dutchtown Bulldogs are back into the second round for the second consecutive year and for the third time in school history. The Bulldogs have now won four consecutive games and have also shut out their last three opponents. Dutchtown’s only loss this season was a 5-point setback to Jones County. Dutchtown will be on the road, but we expect their defense to keep Riverwood in check. We like the Bulldogs by 16.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Warner Robins Demons advanced to the second round for the third consecutive season. The Demons made a run to the finals in the previous two seasons. Warner Robins has won seven consecutive games and are undefeated this season when scoring 24 points or more. The Demons have defeated six playoff teams this season.

 

The Rome Wolves have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Rome has now shut out four of their opponents on the season. The Wolves have defeated three playoff teams this season. Rome is undefeated when scoring 21 points or more this season. This is a rematch of one of last year’s semifinals match ups. We think it will be close, but we like Rome in a bit of an upset by 2 on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

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5A GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 1

We move on to the second round of the 5A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Hiram Hornets scored the biggest upset in round won as they beat #1 seed Southwest DeKalb. Region 7 advanced 4 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between Carrollton-Veterans, Ware County-Buford, Griffin-Hiram and Jones County-Cedar Shoals. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Carrollton Trojans lost one of their Trojans this past weekend as Chase McDaniel earned his wings in heaven. Our prayers go out to the McDaniels and Carrollton Trojan Football Family. Coach Calhoun shared some of Chase’s story on our podcast earlier this season. Reflecting on that conversation helps remind me that while high school football is important. Life is fleeting and there is so much more to these young men than scoring touchdowns or sacking quarterbacks. While we know the Trojans will be playing with heavy hearts this week. We expect them to win in an emotional game over Veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Ware County Gators have advanced to the second round for 16 of the last 18 seasons. Ware County has now won five consecutive games. The Gators are 8-0 when they’ve scored 16 points or more this season. Conversely, they are 0-3 when they are held to 7 points.

 

The Buford Wolves bounced back from their last regular season game to defeat Decatur last Friday. With the win, the Wolves advance to the second round for the 21st  consecutive season. The last time Buford did not advance past the second round was in 1999. The Wolves have scored 30 or more points in eight of their games this season. We aren’t sure they will get to 30 points this week against the Gators, but we do like them to win by four on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Griffin Bears advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season by beating the defending state champions, Bainbridge 21-20 on Friday night. The Bears have now won five consecutive games. Their only loss this season was a 3-point defeat at the hands of Starr’s Mill.

 

The Hiram Hornets upset No. 1 seed Southwest DeKalb on Friday night. This win marks the firs time the Hornets have advanced to the second round since 2010 and only the third time the Hornets have advanced to the second round in school history. The win stopped a three game losing skid Hiram had closing out their regular season. The Hornets will face another stout defense this week when they travel to Griffin. We like the Bears at home by 9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Jones County Greyhounds advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. Jones County has now won 10 games for the third time in school history. The Greyhounds had won nine games before being upended by Stockbridge the final week of the season. The Greyhounds are 10-0 when scoring 23 points or more this season.

 

The Cedar Shoals Jaguars advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Jaguars have now won four consecutive games. Cedar Shoals is undefeated this season when scoring 14 points or more. We think that the Jaguars will score more than 14 points this week against Jones County, but we like Jones County to win by a touchdown.

 

 

 

 

 

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6A GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 2

We move on to the second round of the 6A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Houston County Bears scored the biggest upset in round won as they beat #1 seed Evans by 10. Region 1 advanced 4 teams into the second round while Region 2 and Region 5 advanced three teams to the second round. This preview features matchups between South Paulding-Houston County, Harrison-Brunswick, Lee County-Creekside and Dacula-Glynn Academy. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The South Paulding Spartans advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the third time in school history and the first time since 2015. The Spartans have now won three consecutive games. South Paulding has now defeated four playoff teams this season.

 

Like, South Paulding, the Houston County Bears advance to the second round for the first time since 2015. The Bears have won two straight games after dropping five straight. The Bears are 6-0 when scoring 21 points or more and 0-5 when scoring 20 points or less. The Bears have now defeated four playoff teams and they are the only No. 4 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in Class 6A. This ought to be a nip and tuck battle. We like South Paulding this week by 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Harrison Hoyas advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Hoyas are 11-0 for the first time since 2002. Harrison has now scored 40+ points in eight of their eleven games this season. The 25 points that Winder-Barrow scored were the most allowed by the Hoyas this season. The Hoyas have now defeated five playoff teams.

 

The Brunswick Pirates have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Brunswick won their second consecutive game and have defeated four playoff teams this season. The Pirates are 6-2 when scoring 21 points or more. We expect for the Pirates to give the Hoyas one of their toughest games of the season, but we like Harrison by 13.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Lee County Trojans advanced to the second round for the fourth consecutive season. And for the sixth time in seven years. (The Trojans are the back-to-back defending State Champions.) Lee County has now won eight straight games. They are undefeated when they score 24 points or more. The defense has now also recorded four shutouts.

 

The Creekside Seminoles have won three of their last four games after shutting out Alpharetta last week. They’ve defeated two playoff teams this season. The Seminoles are 1-4 when scoring 22 points or less this season. Creekside’s defense should help make this game interesting, but we like the Trojans to pull away late. Trojans by 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Dacula Falcons won big over Dalton last Friday to advance to the second round for the fourth straight season. The Falcons have not scored less than 24 points in a game this season and have defeated six playoff teams. In the last eight games, the Falcons have not scored less than 34 points.

 

The Glynn Academy Red Terrors advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the sixth straight year. The Red Terrors have now won four straight games. The Red Terrors have defeated three playoff teams this season. In their four losses this season, the Red Terrors have been held to seventeen points or less. We believe Dacula will be one of the toughest opponents they’ve faced this season. We like the Falcons at home by 10 this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6A GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 1

 

 

We move on to the second round of the 6A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Houston County Bears scored the biggest upset in round one as they beat #1 seed Evans by 10. Region 1 advanced 4 teams into the second round while Region 2 and Region 5 advanced three teams to the second round. This preview features matchups between Johns Creek-Valdosta, Richmond Hill-Lanier, Mays-Coffee and Stephenson-Allatoona. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Johns Creek Gladiators got their first playoff win this past weekend as they beat Alexander. The win pushed the Gladiators to 10 wins for the first time in school history. Johns Creek has also won nine consecutive games and have not lost to a team in Georgia this season. The Gladiators have now defeated four playoff teams. The 34 points surrendered last Friday are the most the Gladiators have surrendered in a victory this season.

 

The Valdosta Wildcats advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. The win was Valdosta’s second consecutive win and have now defeated five playoff teams. The Wildcats are 9-1 when they score 28 points or more this season. Valdosta will be on the road this week, but we like them to advance. Wildcats by three touchdowns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Richmond Hill Wildcats are in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The Wildcats have now won six consecutive games. In Richmond Hill’s three losses, they’ve been held to 23 points or less. The Wildcats have now defeated four playoff teams.

 

The Lanier Longhorns outlasted a scrappy Sprayberry team last week to advance to the second round for the second consecutive season and the fourth time in school history. The 15 points the Longhorns scored was the second lowest point production for the Longhorns this season. The Longhorns have defeated six playoff teams this season. We believe Taj Barnes and the Longhorns will get rolling this week. We like Lanier by a touchdown on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Mays Raiders have advanced to the second round for the sixth time in seven years. The Raiders have now won 10 straight games. The Raiders have now beaten four playoff teams this season. The Raiders have been held to under 20-points 3 times this season.

 

The Coffee Trojans bounced back from their regular season finale loss with a big win on the road against Heritage-Conyers. The 60 points scored Friday night was the most the Trojans have scored in a game since September 22, 2006. The Trojans have now defeated four playoff teams this season. We expect Coffee to have a much more difficult time this week against Mays, but we like the Trojans by a touchdown this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Stephenson Jaguars advanced to the second round for the first time since 2016 as they downed Bradwell Institute last week. The Jaguars have now won eight consecutive games. The 20-points that the Jaguars gave up on Friday were the most in a game this season. Prior to that, the Jags had held their previous seven opponents to 7-points or less. The Jaguars defense is allowing 8.1 points per game this season.

 

The Allatoona Buccaneers are in the second round of the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. The Bucs have now won four straight games. Allatoona has won three games against playoff teams. Their two losses have come by a combined 4-points. Allatoona’s 49 points were the most they’ve scored all season. This should be a defensive battle. We like the Bucs to edge the Jags by three this Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7A GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 2

We move on to the second round of the 7A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Cherokee Warriors scored the biggest upset in round won as they beat #1 seed Westlake by 18. Region 4 advanced 3 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between McEachern-North Forsyth, North Gwinnett-Walton, Lowndes-Norcross and Grayson-East Coweta. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The McEachern Indians beat North Paulding in back to back weeks as they now advance to the second round for the seventh consecutive season. The 29 points scored by North Paulding was the most that McEachern has surrendered this season. Prior to that, the most in a game was 15 points surrendered to East Coweta. Despite that, the Indians are outscoring their opponents 411-129.

 

The North Forsyth Raiders had a comeback of epic proportions as they came back from a 35-9 deficit to win their first playoff game since 2005. The win stopped a two-game losing skid. The Raiders have now scored over 40 points three times this season. North Forsyth has not won this season when they’ve been held to 21 points or less. We aren’t sure if the Raiders have any more magic left after last week. We like McEachern by four touchdowns this week.

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

North Gwinnett has advanced to the second round for the third consecutive season after downing Shiloh last week. The Bulldogs have now won 10 consecutive games after an opening season loss to Colquitt County. The Bulldogs defense has been stout this season, holding opposing teams to 17 points or less in all but three of their games. North Gwinnett has shut out two of their opponents this season, including their opponent this Friday night.

 

The Walton Raiders bounced back from their loss back on the last week of the regular season to edge Newnan by 3. The Raiders are in the second round for the third consecutive season. They have not advanced past the second round since they made a run to the finals in 2011. In all but one of Walton’s 5 losses, they were held to 10-points or less. We believe the young Raiders have matured and are better since the September 20th game against North Gwinnett when they were shutout 35-0, but we like the Bulldogs by 17 this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Lowndes Vikings are undefeated on the season. They defeated Hillgrove last week to advance to the 2nd round for the fourth consecutive season. The Vikings closest margin of victory was an 11-point win over Colquitt County on November 1st. The Vikings defense has not allowed over 21-points in a game this season. They’ve held opponents to 8-points or less seven times this year.

 

The Norcross Blue Devils recorded their second shutout on the season last week to advance to the second round for the third time in four years. The Blue Devils have now won five consecutive games. Norcross has played a challenging non-region schedule this season. They are 3-5 against playoff teams this year. We like Lowndes this week by 24 at home over the Blue Devils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Grayson Rams picked up their second shutout in three weeks as they beat Mountain View on Friday night. The Rams have now won six consecutive games and have advanced to at least the second round for the sixth consecutive season. The Rams have not scored less than 30 points in a game during this current six game win streak. During that same stretch, the Rams are allowing only 9.8 points per game.

 

The East Coweta Indians rallied from 13 points down last week against Etowah to win their fifth consecutive game and advance to the second round for the second consecutive year. The Indians are the only team from Region-2 to advance past the first round. East Coweta is looking to get past the second round for the firs time since 2002 when they advanced to the semifinals. We know the Indians won’t quit, but we like the Rams by three touchdowns this week.

 

 

 

 

 

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7A GHSA Playoffs Previews Round 2 Part 1

We move on to the second round of the 7A GHSA Football Playoffs. Last week, the Cherokee Warriors scored the biggest upset in round one as they beat #1 seed Westlake by 18. Region 4 advanced 3 teams into the second round. This preview features matchups between Mill Creek-Roswell, Marietta-Milton, Archer-Cherokee and Colquitt-Parkview. Please let us know if there are any errors. As always, thanks for reading. Best of luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Parkview Panthers advanced to the second round for the fourth consecutive season. Parkview’s 21-point victory over West Forsyth was their ninth consecutive win on the season. The Panthers have scored 31 points or more in seven of those games.

 

The Colquitt County Packers shut down North Cobb last week to advance to at least the second round for the eleventh consecutive season. The Packers have only scored less than 31 points twice this season, (their first regular season game and in their last regular season game). They are 1-1 in those games. The Packers two losses have come by a combined 12-points. The Packers will be making the 3+ hour road road trip to Lilburn this week. We expect them to return to Moultrie with a win. We like the Colquitt County by 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Archer Tigers have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Tigers have now won four consecutive games. Prior to Friday night’s game, the Tigers were 0-3 in games decided by 3-points or less. Conversely, Archer is 6-1 when the score 31 or more points this season.

 

The Cherokee Warriors shocked many in the state with their win last week over Westlake. Cherokee has now won back-to-back games. The 41 points that Cherokee scored were the most all season. The Warriors also recorded five interceptions in the first half. We sound like a broken record, but when the Warriors force two or more turnovers this season, they are undefeated. Conversely, when they offense takes care of the football and turns the ball over less than two times, they are undefeated. We like Cherokee’s defense to keep them in this game this week, but we like the Archer to edge the Cherokee at home by 3.

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Milton Eagles won their sixth consecutive game last week as they downed Central Gwinnett. Milton has not allowed more than 9 points in a game over that stretch. This is the third consecutive season that the Eagles have advanced to the second round. The Eagles are the defending state champions. The Eagles are 1-3 when scoring under 24 points this season.

 

The Marietta Blue Devils advanced to the second round for the second time in three seasons. Marietta has now won four consecutive games. They’ve scored 38 points or more in those four games. The Blue Devils are 0-2 when scoring less than 21 points this season. We believe Milton will battle on their home field, but we like Marietta this week by 10.

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

 

The Roswell Hornets are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in four years. The last time two times the Hornets advanced past the first round, they made it all the way to the finals. Roswell shutout Wheeler last week and have now shutout three opponents this seasons. They have also won five straight games.

 

The Mill Creek Haws are in the second round for the third consecutive season. They picked up their fourth consecutive win beating Newton in Round 1. Mill Creek has only lost once on the road this season. The Hawks are undefeated this season when holding their opponents under 17 points.  Roswell is 1-2 when scoring 14 points or less this season. We believe the Hornets get over 17 points this week and we like them to advance in a close game over the Hawks. Roswell by 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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GHSA Playoffs 2A Part 4 of 4

Today we conclude our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 2A. Matchups include Dublin-Early County, Bremen-Model, Hapeville Charter-Putnam County and Harlem-Swainsboro. 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 Dublin Fighting Irish won their second consecutive region title this year. The Fighting Irish had won nine straight games before being upended by Washington County last week. Dublin has defeated five playoff teams and is averaging 48.4 points per game and are allowing 21.1 points.

 

The Early County Bobcats are in the playoffs for the second year in a row. Early County is averaging 29.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 22.7 points. The Bobcats have defeated one playoff team this season. LaDarius Ceaser has rushed for 941 yards and 14-TDs to lead the way on offense. We like Dublin this week over Early by 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Bremen Blue Devils are in the post season for the 6th consecutive year. Bremen has won five consecutive games and has only allowed 29 points during that stretch. They have defeated three playoff teams this season and are averaging 27.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 11 points per game.

 

The Model Blue Devils are back in the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. Model has beaten one playoff team and had won three straight games before falling to Rockmart last week. Model is averaging 16.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.3 points per game. Model’s defense should keep this won close for three  quarters, but we like Bremen by 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Hapeville Charter Hornets won their fourth consecutive Region title this season. They have not lost a region game since 2015. The Hornets have dominated all of their Class AA opponents. They are averaging 43.2 points per game while allowing 9.1 points. The defense has three shutouts on the season.

 

The Putnam County War Eagles are in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The War Eagles are winners of four of their last five games heading into the playoffs. They are averaging 27.5 points per game but allowing 36.9 points. The War Eagles have not defeated a playoff team this season. Cedrion Brundage has rushed for 1,088 yards and 8-TDs to pace the Putnam County offense. Hapeville Charter’s defense should be too strong this week. We like the Hornets by five touchdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Harlem Bulldogs are in the playoffs for the third straight season. Harlem has won five straight games and has beaten two playoff teams. The Bulldogs are averaging 33.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.9 points per game. Running backs Cameron Garnett (1,363 yards, 19-TDs) and Jeremiah Ellis (766 yards, 12-TDs) lead the way on offense for Harlem. Cedric Cullars is the team’s leading receiver and also leads the secondary in interceptions.

 

The Swainsboro Tigers are in the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. The Tigers have lost their last two games coming into the playoffs. They are averaging 29.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.6. Quarterback Kade Youmans has passed for 1,732 yards and 23-TDs. Fredrick and Cedric Seabrough have combined to catch 75 passes for 1,203 yards and 17-TDs while Robert Allen has rushed for 809 yards and 7-TDs. We believe Youmans and the Tigers will do just enough to edge Harlem this week. Tigers by 2.

 

 

 

 

 

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GHSA Playoffs 2A Part 3 of 4

Today, we conclude our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 2A. Matchups include Thomasville-Dodge County, Pepperell-Heard County, Rabun County-B.E.S.T Academy, and Toombs County-Hephzibah. 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 Thomasville Bulldogs won their  second region title in three years. The Bulldogs are making their 4th straight playoff appearance and over the year shave been a mainstay in postseason action. After dropping their first three games, the Bulldogs have won five of six including three straight entering the playoffs. They have defeated four playoff teams. Quarterback Ronnie Baker has passed for 1,583 yards and 11-TDs. As a team, the Bulldogs have rushed for 1,734 yards and 18-TDs.

 

Dodge County is making their 8th consecutive playoff appearance. They have advanced to the second round each of the five previous seasons. Dodge is averaging 27.9 points per game but allowing 31.3 points per game. They have beaten one playoff team this season. Daylon Gordon has led the way on offense with 1,015 yards rushing and 11-TDs. We believe the Bulldogs are finding their stride. We like Thomasville by 17 this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Pepperell Dragons are in the post season for the 14th time in 15 years. The Dragons have won their last three games and have defeated four playoff teams. The Dragons are averaging 31 points per game while the defense is allowing 10.3 points per game. Their only losses have been to two of the top teams in Class AA and A.

 

The Heard County Braves are the defending AA State Champions. Since 2000, they have only missed the playoffs once. Heard County lost a lot to graduation last season. They are averaging 21.9 points per game while the defense is allowing 27.1 points. Heard County has beaten one playoff team this season. We like the Dragons this week by three touchdowns.

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Rabun County Wildcats are our No. 1 ranked team coming into the playoffs. The Wildcats earned their sixth straight region title. They are also making their 8th straight playoff appearance. The Wildcats are averaging 48.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.5 points. They have defeated five playoff teams this season. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has thrown for 2,650 yards, rushed for 827 yards and accounted for 53 total TDs. (And he’s just a sophomore.)

 

B.E.S.T Academy is making their 4th playoff appearance since the school started playing a region schedule in 2012. The Eagles are averaging 22.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 29.8 points per game. B.E.S.T. has played five playoff teams this season, but did not fare well in those contests. We like Rabun big this week by as many as six touchdowns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Toombs County Bulldogs are in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The Bulldogs have won four of their last five games and have defeated two playoff teams this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 29.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 9.1 points per game. The Bulldogs have shut out five of their opponents. Quarterback Trey Cloud has passed for 1,097 yards and 11-TDs while Derrick Mincey has rushed for 760 yards and 9-TDs.

 

The Hephzibah Rebels are back in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Rebels have never made it past the first round. They have won their last three games and have defeated one playoff team. The Rebels are averaging 28.5 points per game, while the defense is allowing 16.5. Hephzibah is led by quarterback Marshall Chambers who has passed for 1,287 yards and 12-TDs. The Rebels defense has recorded 32 sacks. We believe the Rebels defense can keep Cloud and Mincey in check this week. We like Hephzibah by 4.

 

 

 

 

 

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GHSA Playoffs 2A Part 2 of 4

Today we conclude our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 2A. Matchups include Rockmart-Temple, Brooks County-Washington County, Metter-Screven County and Union County-South Atlanta. 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 Rockmart Yellow Jackets won their third consecutive region title and have now gone undefeated during the regular season for the last two years. Last year, the Jackets made it all the way to the state finals. Rockmart has been dominant this season averaging 45.5 points per game and only allowing 7.8 points per game. The most points they’ve given up in a game is 17. That’s also been their smallest margin of victory. Javin Whatley has passed fro 1,221 yards and rushed for 1,006 yards and has accounted fro 32 total TDs.

 

The Temple Tigers are in the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Tigers best playoff finish was a trip to the second round in 2005. The Tigers are averaging 24.5 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 21 points per game. Phillip Johnson has rushed for 1,589 yards and 22-TDs for the Tigers. We believe Rockmart is too strong this week. They could win this won by as many as six touchdowns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Brooks Count Trojans have won three straight games coming into the playoffs. This is their 12th straight postseason appearance. They are averaging 34.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 26.8 points. Brooks has defeated four playoff teams this season. Quarterback Ni’tavion Burrus has passed for 1,367 yards and 15-TDs and Omari Arnold has rushed for 1,023 yards and 10-TDs. All of The Trojans’ losses have come to ranked opponents.

 

Since 1991, the Washington County Golden Hawks have only missed the playoffs once. The have beaten five playoff teams this season including a big win over Dublin last week. The Golden Hawks are averaging 34.5 points per game and allowing 18.1 points. This might be the best first round matchup in Class AA. We like the War Hawks to upset Brooks at home by 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Metter Tigers won their first region title since 2003 this season. That was also the last time the Tigers won nine regular season games. The Tigers have won four straight games coming into the playoffs. They are averaging 25.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 8.9 points per game. The Tigers have defeated three playoff teams.

 

The Screven County Gamecocks are in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. The Gamecocks are averaging 31.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 25.3 points per game. Gary Hawkins has paced the Gamecocks with 1,679 rushing yards and 26-TDs. The Metter defense should do just enough to keep this close. We like the Tigers by 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Union County Panthers are in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. The Panthers have not made it out of the first round since the early 70s. The Panthers have beaten three playoff teams this season. They are averaging 40.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 18.3 points. Quarterback Pierson Allison has thrown for 2,586 yards and 27-TDs. Jonah Daniel has caught 140 passes for 1,375 yards and 14-TDs.

 

The South Atlanta Hornets are in the playoffs for the third straight year. The Hornets have never made it past the first round. They have defeated one playoff team this year and are averaging 29.3 points per game, while the defense is allowing 16.5 points per game. We believe Union County’s air raid offense will be too much for the Hornets to handle. Union County by 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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GHSA Playoffs 2A Part 1 of 4

Today we conclude our GHSA Football Playoff previews as we look at Class 2A. Matchups include Callaway-Chattooga, Bleckley County-Fitzgerald, Jefferson County-Vidalia and Douglass-Elbert County. 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 Callaway Cavaliers  claimed the Region 5 title this season. It is their eighth region title in school history.  Callaway has not lost to a team in Georgia and their only setback was a three-point loss to Opelika, Alabama. Since then, they have reeled off nine consecutive wins, including shutouts of their last three opponents. The Cavs are averaging 41.3 points per game, while the defense is allowing 9.2 points per game. This is their 14th straight postseason appearance.

 

The Chattooga Indians are making their 6th  straight playoff appearance. The Indians are averaging 18.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.4 points per game. The Indians have beaten one playoff team this season. Offensively, LaShaun Lester leads the way with 1,482 yards rushing and 14-TDs. Callaway’s running backs Tank Bigsby and Charlie Dixon should be too much to contain this week. We like Callaway by 30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Bleckley County Royals are in the postseason for the first time since 2014. The Royals won three straight before falling to Southwest Macon last week. The Royals have defeated three playoff teams this year. They are averaging 32.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.3 points per game.

 

The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes have not missed the playoffs since 1999. During that stretch, they have only been eliminated in the first round one time. The Purple Hurricanes have defeated three playoff teams this year. They are averaging 30.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.8 points per game. We like Fitzgerald by 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Jefferson County Warriors won their second consecutive region title. This is their 18th straight playoff appearance. Jefferson County has won eight straight games coming into the playoffs. Their only two losses were to two playoff teams. The Warriors are averaging 37.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.3 points per game. The Warriors have rushed for over 2,400 yards and 36-TDs. Quarterback Carlton Brown leads the way with 729 yards and 7-TDs on the ground.

 

The Vidalia Indians are making their tenth playoff appearance in eleven years. The Indians have beaten two playoff teams this season. They are averaging 20.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 14.6 points per game. The Indians defense should do enough to keep them in the game. But we like the Warriors by a touchdown this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Douglass Astros are in the post season for the fourth straight year. They have won their last four games. Douglass is averaging 39 points per game and allowing 15.7. The Astros have rushed for over 2,800 yards as a team this season. Quintavious Lockett leads the way on the ground with 1,489 yards and 23-TDs.

 

The Elbert County Blue Devils are in the post season for the tenth time in eleven years. The Blue Devils have won their last four games and are averaging 34.5 points per game, while the defense is allowing 21.3 points. We don’t expect either of these teams to reach their average points this week. We like Douglass by 4.

 

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