TFR GHSA Class-A-Public-Finals Preview

Posted on December 9, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA Class-A-Public-Finals championship preview is listed below. Clinch County and Irwin County will face off for the second time this season and for the second year in a row, the two teams will meet in the state title game. Last season Irwin won the regular season match but Clinch won the state title game. Irwin County has again won the regular season title. Will history repeat itself of will Irwin County bring home their first title since 1975. Best of luck to both Clinch County and Irwin County and their respective communities as they compete on Tuesday, December 11th.

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

The Skinny

 

The Indians

The Irwin County Indians advance to their second consecutive state title game and 8th finals appearance overall. Last week, the Indians got two rushing touchdowns and a stellar defensive performance to down Pelham to advance to the state championship game for the second consecutive season. Irwin County is averaging 40.6 points per game this season, while the defense is allowing 8.3 points per game. In the playoffs, Irwin County’s offense is averaging 30 points per game while the defense is allowing 9.6 points in their previous three-playoff games.

The Panthers

The defending state champion Clinch County Panthers return to the state title game where they have won the title on 8 previous occasions. Last week, the Panthers got scoring plays from Tyler Morehead, Trezman Marshall, and Jeremiah Johnson en route to a 31-23 victory over Marion County. During the regular season, Clinch is averaging 36.1 points per game while their defense is allowing 13.6 points per game. In the playoffs, the Panthers are averaging 34.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 14.6 points per game.

Final Thoughts

This will be the 45th matchup between the two South Georgia rivals, dating back to 1952. Clinch County has ended Irwin COunty’s season in the playoffs on 5 previous occasions. Much like last season, Irwin County won the regular season matchup. Will history repeat itself and Clinch win the state title game? We don’t believe so. We think this game will be closer than the 21-3 score of the first matchup, but we like Irwin County to edge Clinch by 4 points this time around.

 

Posted in 1A Public Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 2-A-Football Championship Preview

Posted on December 5, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 2-A-Finals championship preview is listed below. The Heard County Braves will take on the Rockmart Yellow Jackets for the 2-A state title. Heard County is in search of their first title in school history while Rockmart is in search of their first title in 68 years. Heard County’s Aaron Beasley did not play in the first match-up; will his return in the title game be enough to propel Heard County past the high-flying Jackets? We will know soon enough! Best of luck to both Rockmart and Heard County and their respective communities as they compete on Wednesday, December 12th.

 

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Braves

The Heard County Braves outlasted Fitzgerald last week in overtime to advance to the finals for the first time in school history. Aaron Beasley’s touchdown run in overtime proved to be the difference for the Braves. Beasley totaled 3 touchdown runs, including the game clincher, while quarterback Alijah Huzzie scored twice on the ground in the victory. The Braves have won 11 consecutive games entering this matchup. Heard County is averaging 28 points per game while their defense is allowing 13.7 points per game. In their 4-playoff games, the Braves offense is averaging 36.5 points per game.

 

The Jackets

The Rockmart Yellow Jackets held off Callaway last week as they are making their fifth appearance in the state title game and are seeking their first championship since 1950. The Jackets racked up 274 yards on the ground in their victory last week, as they were led by Markus Smith (93 yards, 2-TDs), Ant Lester (85 yards), and sophomore Javin Whatley (59 yards, 1-TD). Quarterback Dylan Bailey also passed for a touchdown en route to the 6-point win. The Yellow Jackets sport two 1,000 yard rushers in Smith (1,142 yards) and Z.J. Whatley (1,077 yards). Both backs have scored 18 rushing TDs each on the season. Bailey has passed for 1,463 yards and tossed 22-TDs. Juke Boozer has been his primary receiver this season; Boozer has caught 27 passes for 704 yards and 11-TDs. The Rockmart offense is averaging 45 points per game on the season. Rockmart’s defense is allowing 8.5 points per game on the season, but that number has increased to 19.3 points allowed in the post season.



Final Thoughts

It should be known that Rockmart did beat…or was beating Heard County 33-0 at halftime before a lengthy lighting delay led to a decision by the Braves staff to forfeit the second half. It should be noted that Heard County’s Aaron Beasley did not play in the first game, so we don’t suspect that this game will go the same way that the first matchup did. We still think that Rockmart has enough weapons to outlast Heard County. We like the Jackets by a field goal.

 


Posted in 2A, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 3-A-Finals Preview

Posted on December 5, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 3-A-Finals playoff preview is listed below. The Cedar Grove Saints will face the Peach County Trojans. The Trojans are back in the finals for the second consecutive year, while the Saints are in the finals for the second time in three seasons. Will this be an offensive explosion or a defensive struggle. Best of luck to both Cedar Grove and Peach County and their respective communities as they compete on Tuesday, December 11th.

 

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Trojans

The Peach County Trojans are in the finals for the second consecutive year and are in search of their 4th title. Last week, they went up to Calhoun and avenged their 2017 finals loss as they beat the Yellow Jackets. Quarterback Jaydon Gibson passed for 117 yards; rushed for 34 and accounted for two touchdowns in the win. Tijah Woolfolk led the Trojans with 42 yards rushing. The real star of the night probably belonged to the Trojans defense, which limited Calhoun to one touchdown, although the Jackets were averaging over 44 points per game. On the season, Gibson has now passed for 2,197 yards and 19-TDs. Woolfolk now leads the team in rushing with 608 yards, while Terkel Jefferson leads the team in receptions (41) and receiving yards (418). Linebacker Sergio Allen leads the team with 122 tackles (82 solo) and is also tied for the team lead in sacks with 6. As a team, Peach County has tallied 44 sacks on the season. The Trojans have won 10 straight games and are averaging 37 points per game, while their defense is allowing 12.4 points per game. During the playoffs, the Trojans are only allowing 6.2 points per game.

The Saints

The Cedar Grove Saints are in the finals for the 3rd time and are seeking their second title in three years. Cedar Grove beat Pierce County last week to advance to the title game. The Saints got a big night from their defense who held Pierce County to one touchdown and also from Robert Jones, who ran for 256 yards and had two long touchdown runs. Jones has now rushed for 1,162 yards and 12-TDs on the season. Quarterbacks Austin Smith and Kendall Boney have combined to pass for 2,363 yards and 33-TDs, while Jadon Haselwood leads the team with 990 yards receiving and 10-TDs. The Saints offense is now averaging 44 points per game. Isaiah Ratcliff leads the Saints defense with 100 total tackles (49 solo). Senior defense end Dante Walker leads the team in sacks with 10. Haselwood leads the team in interceptions, with 3. The Saints have recorded 30 sacks on the season. Their defense is only allowing 8.2 points per game this season.

Final Thoughts

We have written ad nauseam about Peach County’s lack of star power. So we won’t bore you with the details of that conversation. The Trojans are legit and have been so all season. Our biggest question is whether or not their defense can put together consecutive stellar performances and slow down the Cedar Grove Saints, whose only loss this season was a 7-point defeat to 7A McEachern. We think this game will be the closes that Cedar Grove has played since that loss to McEachern. But we like the Saints by a touchdown.

 

Posted in 3A, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 4-A-Finals Playoff Preview

Posted on December 4, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 4-A-Finals playoff preview is listed below. The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes will face the defending state champs, the Blessed Trinity Titans. Last year, it was Blessed Trinity who played the role of the underdog and knocked off Cartersville in the second round of the playoffs. The Canes will be looking to return the favor. Blessed Trinity should get a boost from the return of running back Elijah Green. Will it be enough to counteract Cartersville running back Marcus Gary and gun slinging quarterback Tee Webb? We will find out on Wednesday! Best of luck to both Cartersville and Blessed Trinity and their respective communities as they compete on Wednesday, December 12th.

 

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Titans

The Blessed Trinity Titans are making their 3rd finals appearance. Last week, they got a big performance from Steele Chambers, as he rushed for 244 yards on 36 carries and scored 3-TDs. Chambers also passed for a touchdown in the win. Jake Smith threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Junior James Bryant made the most of his opportunities as he scored two touchdowns on two receptions. The Titans also got 67 yards rushing from Elijah Green, who has missed most of the season with an injury. On the season, Smith has passed for 1,777 yards and 21-TDs, while Chambers leads the rushing attack with 1,589 yards and 25-TDs. Wide receiver Ryan Davis has 940 yards on 48 receptions and 9-TDs. Defensively, JD Bertrand leads the defense with 83 total tackles (39 solo). The Blessed Trinity defense is only allowing 11.8 points per game. The 35 points they allowed against Troup last week were the most surrendered all season, but that game never seemed to be in doubt.

The Canes

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes are in search of their 5th state title overall. Last week, they hung on and held off Marist to advance to their  3rd final in 4 years. The Canes were held to 51 yards rushing last week by Marist, but got 200 yards and 2 passing TDs from Tee Webb in the victory. While the running numbers weren’t stellar, Marcus Gary did manage 84 yards on 22 carries, but a third of those came on one carry. On the season Webb has passed for 2,726 yards and 35-TDs, while Gary has rushed for 1,456 yards and 18-TDs. Tight end Jackson Lowe and receivers Dadrian Dennis and Devonte Ross have combined for 92 receptions and 1,406 yards. The Cartersville offense is averaging 38.1 points per game, while the defense is allowing 7.2 points per game. We think this may be on of the more underrated defenses in the state.

Final Thoughts

Each team defeated their common opponents, Marist and Troup by similar margins, so there is probably not much to be gained from looking at those matchups. Cartersville and Blessed Trinity have combined to win the last three state titles in Class 4A. Last season it was the Blessed Trinity Titans who upset the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes in the second round of the state tournament en route to the first title in school history.  This game will feature two of the better running backs in the state in Class 4-A; Gary for the Canes and Chambers for the Titans. Having Elijah Green back should help the Titans. But we think it will be the Blessed Trinity defense that is the difference in this game. Titans by 6.

 

Posted in 4A Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 5-A-Finals Football Playoff Preview

Posted on December 3, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 5-A-Finals playoff previews is listed below. We are down to two teams and like Class 6-A, they both come from Region-1. This game will feature a rematch between Bainbridge and Warner Robins. The Bainbridge Bearcats have reeled off six straight victories in what some might see as an improbable run. Bainbridge is in the finals for the first time since 1982. That was the only time they have  won a state title. Warner Robins features one of the state’s top quarterback and receiver combinations, in Dylan Fromm and Marcayll Jones. Can Bainbridge ground the aerial attack of the Demons? We will know for sure in one week. Best of luck to both Bainbridge and Warner Robins and their respective communities as they compete on Tuesday, December 11th.

 

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Bearcats

 

Like Class-6A, the Class-5A state champion will come from Region-1 this season. We will be the first to admit that we did not have the Bainbridge Bearcats advancing this far…Shame on us! The Bearcats defeated two No. 1 seeds en route to their rematch with Warner Robins. Bainbridge came from behind last week to defeat the Stockbridge Tigers by a 1-point margin. The difference in that game was two missed extra points by Stockbridge. Sophomore quarterback Quayde Hawkins passed for 245 yards and a touchdown to lead the way for Bainbridge. On the season Hawkins has passed for 1,601 yards and 12-TDs while sophomore running backs Rashad Broadnax and Caleb McDowell have combined for 1,561 yards and 15-TDs. Randy Fillingame lead the Bearcat defense with 110 total tackles (77 solo), while Roman Harrison has tallied d8.5 sacks and freshman Deyon Bouie has intercepted 5-passes. At one point in the season, the Bearcats lost 5 of 6 games, but since their last meeting with Warner Robins, the Bearcats have won 6 consecutive games. Bainbridge is averaging 24 points per game while the defense is allowing 18 points per game.

 

The Demons

Warner Robins knocked off the two-time defending state champion Rome last week as the Demons are in search of their first state title since 2004 and 5th overall in school history. We will admit, we did not pick the Demons to get to the finals, but they made the best of their opportunities last Friday. The Demons are averaging 36.9 points per game, while their defense is allowing 18 points per game. Through the quarterfinals, Dylan Fromm has passed for 3,727 yards and 40-TDs. Jahlen Rutherford leads the team with 949 yards rushing while Marcayll Jones has 1,744 receiving yards and 92 receptions through the quarterfinals. Sophomore Demarcus Robinson leads the defense with 98 tackles (75 solo) while Jatavious Bryant has intercepted 4 passes in the secondary through the quarterfinals. It should be noted that of Warner Robins two losses, one was to Class 7-A No. 1 Colquitt County, who is also playing for a state title and the other was a forfeit loss in a game that Warner Robins originally won.


Final Thoughts

In their first matchup, the Demons held Bainbridge to 30 yards passing and 49 yards rushing. We have picked against the Bearcats almost every week and all they do is keep winning; so it wouldn’t be a shock to us if they shocked Warner Robins. We think Bainbridge will be able to get some things going on offense this week, but we think Fromm and company will win this game by two touchdowns.

 

 

 

Posted in 5A Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 6-A-Finals Football Preview

Posted on December 3, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 6-A-Finals playoff previews is listed below. We are down to two teams and they both come from Region-1. This game will feature a rematch between Lee County and Northside, Warner Robins. Lee County won the first tilt 24-7 earlier this season. The Lee County Trojans will be looking to repeat as state champions. This is the second consecutive year that it has been an all Region-1 state final. This is probably the toughest region in the state, regardless of classification. Best of luck to these schools and their respective communities as they compete on Tuesday, December 11th.

 

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Eagles

We will have a rematch of any early season Region-1 matchup as Northside, Warner Robins will take on defending state champ, Lee County. Northside was the No. 3 seed from Region-1. In their first meeting, they held the Lee County Trojans to 24 points, (their lowest point total of the season). The Eagles will be looking for the schools 4th state title. The won a state title just 4 short years ago. Northside is averaging 32.3 points per game, while their defense is allowing 17.7 points per game. In the playoffs, the Eagles are only allowing 8.5 points per game. Through the quarterfinal round, Jadin Daniels has passed for 1,503 yards and rushed for 1,502 yards with 30 total TDs. Eric Smith has also rushed for 705 yards and 11-TDs. Deshaun Maine leads the Eagles on defense with 99 tackles prior to Fridays win over Dacula; that includes 74 solo tackles. Mario Starling leads the team with 7 sacks and Tubby McCall his picked off 6 passes in the secondary. Senior kicker Cory Munson has connected on 80% of his field goals, including a long of 53.

The Trojans

The Lee County Trojans got 4 touchdown runs by senior Shaundarious Kimbrough, while Kyle Toole passed for 233 yards and a touchdown en route to a 35 point win over Lanier last week. The Trojans are in search of their second consecutive state title. As a team, Lee County is averaging 43.5 points per game, while the defense is only allowing 5.5 points per game. In their first meeting, Lee County held Jadin Daniels to 72 yards passing and limited the rushing game to 61 yards on 32 carries. The Trojans have stymied most rushing attacks this season. While Northside did hold Lee County to 24 points in the first game, it should be noted that the Trojans did not practice most of the week prior to the game due to Hurricane Michael that affected the community. There is talent all over the field for this Lee County team, on both sides of the ball. That’s probably what makes them hard to beat. It’s not just one or two players on offense or defense to worry about…it’s all eleven…

Final Thoughts

This is the third consecutive season that the Class 6-A champion will come from Region-1.  Can Northside slow down the Trojans this time? No one has been able to do that this season. We believe it will be the second consecutive title for Lee County. We like the Trojans by 16.

 


 

 

Posted in 6A Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 7-A-Finals Football Preview

Posted on December 2, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 7-A-Finals playoff previews is listed below. We are down to two teams after a long grueling season that started well back into summer, and for most teams, a season that probably started when the 2017 season ended. The Milton Eagles and Colquitt County Packers are the two teams left standing in Georgia’s highest classification. The Eagles are playing for their first title in school history, while Colquitt County has been a mainstay over the past few years. Best of luck to these schools and their respective communities as they compete on Wednesday, December 12th.

 

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Eagles

The Milton Eagles are in the finals for the first time in school history. Milton’s Jordan Yates had two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown to lead the team to victory over Lowndes last Friday. Middle linebacker Jordan Davis led Milton with 13 tackles and also had an interception to help lead the defensive effort. On the season, the Eagles are averaging 33.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.7 points per game. Yates has passed for over 2,400 yards and rushed for 862 yards on the season. He has accounted for 36 total TDs this year. Josh Edwards has rushed for 1,088 yards and 18-TDs this year, and senior wide receiver Dylan Leonard has caught 46 passes for 837 yards. On defensive, Jordan Davis leads the way with 135 total tackles (72 solo). Allen Walker, Zander Barnett and Marcos Rangel have combined for 25 sacks. Milton has lost two games by a combined 4 points. Their opponent this week is the Colquitt County Packers…

 

The Packers

The Packers will be playing in their seventh finals in school history and 4th final in 5 years. Colquitt seemed invincible for most of the season. Prior to their 1-point overtime win against Archer last week; their closest win was a 12-point victory over Grayson back in September. As a team, the Packers are averaging 41.1 points per game, while the defense is allowing 10.1 points per game. Entering last week’s semifinal game, Jaycee Harden had passed for 2,293 yards and 22-TDs, while Daijuan Edwards and Ty Leggett had combined for 2,180 yards and 40-TDs on the ground. Rashard Revels and Kendrick Neloms lead the defense both with over 150 total tackles through the quarterfinals, with Revels having 90 solo tackles and Neloms with 92 solo tackles. The linebacker duo has also combined for 26 total sacks, (13 a piece) to lead a defense that has tallied 75 sacks on the season. Jay Ward leads the secondary with 6 interceptions. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has connected on 80% of his field goal attempts, including a long of 57 yards.

 

Final Thoughts

Will the Eagles be able to keep the Packers out of the end zone in regulation, similar to Archer last week? Or will the Packers defense be able to contain Jordan Yates? We think Yates ability as a passer and a runner will keep the Eagles in the game late. But we like the Packers late by 3, perhaps on a Fitzgerald field goal to win it.


Posted in 7A Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA A-Public-Semifinals Preview

Posted on December 2, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA A-Public-Semifinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Pelham-Irwin County and Clinch County-Marion County. Will we get a rematch of last years state final game between Clinch and Irwin…Or will the Pelham Hornets break through. Don’t forget about Marion County. They’ve gone through the season unscathed…Best of luck to these final four teams as they compete on Friday night.

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Pelham Hornets are in the semifinals for the first time since 1965. Last week, it was senior Javoris Williams leading the charge for the Hornets, with his third consecutive 100-yard game, as he rushed for 184 yards and 3-TDs. Quarterback Kendrick Perry also passed for 156 yards and added 64 yards on the ground and two rushing TDs. On the season, Perry has accounted for 36 total TDs. As a team, Pelham has rushed for over 3,000 yards this year. The Hornets are averaging an eye-popping 52.8 points per game. Their opponent is current No. 1 and the 2017 runner-up, Irwin County Indians. Pelham has never beaten Irwin County, although the teams haven’t squared off since 1999. Last week, as has been the case for most of the season, DJ Lundy led the Indians with 117 yards and 3-TDs. The Indians had to come from behind last week to beat a very gritty Commerce team. Irwin County is averaging 42 points per game this season, while the defense is allowing 7.9 points per game. We think that Irwin’s strength of schedule has probable been tougher than Pelham’s this season. We like the Hornets to keep it close, but we like Irwin to win by 9.


 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Clinch County Panthers are on the verge of returning to the state title game and defending their title. The Panthers are in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. Dantonio Robinsons scored 3 touchdowns last week as Clinch won big on the road. Clinch’s only loss this season came at the hands of region foe Irwin County. The Panthers are averaging 36.5 points per game, while their defense is allowing 11.9 points per game. Trezman Marshall and the Panthers will have their hands full trying to slow down Marion County’s dual threat quarterback, Trice McCannon. Last week, McCannon passed for 256 yards and 4-TDs. On the season, he has passed for 1,751 yards, rushed for 1,121 yards and accounted for 27 total TDs. Running back Travon Matthews has rushed for 1,563 yards and 27-TDs this season. The Marion County offense is averaging 40.5 points per game. The defense is allowing 17.5 points per game. The Eagles are in the semifinals for the third time in school history. We think this game will be a back and forth affair. We also think that Clinch will edge Marion on the road this week. Clinch by 2.

 


 

 

 

Posted in 1A Public Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA A-Private-Semifinal Preview

Posted on November 29, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA A-Private-Semifinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Prince Avenue Christian-Athens Christian and Savannah Christian-Eagle’s Landing Christian…The seeds have held to form thus far…Will ELCA win their 4th consecutive state title. Can Athen’s Academy beat Prince Avenue for the second time this season…Or perhaps Savannah Christian will be the talk of Class-A-Private…Best of luck to these final four teams as they compete on Friday night.

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

The Skinny

 

Prince Avenue and Athens Academy will face off in a rematch of an early season game that the Spartans of Athens Academy won by 4. Last week the Spartans outlasted Calvary Day with a late touchdown and then a defensive stand to secure their second consecutive trip to the semifinals. The Spartans have not lost a regular season game since November of 2016, a loss to Prince Avenue Christian. The Spartans are averaging 31.6 points per game on offense, while their defense is allowing 15.1 points per game. Prince Avenue Christian is in the semi finals for the 4thstraight season and is looking to get to the finals for the first time since 2012. Wolverines dual-threat quarterback Brock Vandagriff passed for 140 yards and rushed for 104 yards and accounted for 3 total TDs to help get the Wolverines into the semifinals. Vandagriff has passed for 2,943 yards on the season and is 35 yards shy of breaking the 1,00 yard mark rushing. Mack Simmons and Christian Parrish lead the team in receiving, combing for 1,807 yards and 20 total TDs. The Wolverines are averaging 45.7 points per game, but it was the Spartans that held them to their lowest output this season. We believe this game will be just as close as the first matchup, but we like the Wolverines to sneak past the Spartans by one.


 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Savannah Christian Raiders lost their first game of the season, but since then have been on a roll. First year coach Baker Woodward has guided the Raiders to eleven straight wins and put them on the brink of their first finals appearance since 2011. Spencer Robicheaux has passed for 1,529 yards while running backs Nate Moon, Jordan Grant and Marquell Brown have combined for 2,475 yards and 31-TDs. Savannah Christian is averaging 35 points per game, while their defense is surrendering 11.5 points per game. They will need another great defensive effort as they take on the defending state champion Eagle’s Landing Christian Chargers or ELCA is they are known in most parts. ELCA is averaging 51.9 points per game, while their defense is only allowing 6.8 points per game. They have not lost to a Class-A opponent since they lost in the finals back in 2014. Senior quarterback Brayden Rush has passed for 1,412 yards and 21-TDs. Keaton Mitchell has scored 45 rushing touchdowns, which ties a record set by one of the best running backs in Georgia, the great Herschel Walker. Mitchell has also rushed for 2,180 yards on the season. Last week, he rushed for 219 yards and 4-TDs. That’s the 6th time this season he’s gone over 200 yards rushing. Savannah Christian’s best defense might be their offense this week. If they can shorten the game and keep the Chargers offense off the field, they might be able to keep this game close. We just don’t think it will be enough. We like the Chargers by 17.


 

 

 

 

Posted in 1A Private Playoffs, Playoffs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TFR GHSA 2-A-Semifinal Playoff Preview

Posted on November 29, 2018 by admin

Our GHSA 2-A-Semifinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Fitzgerald-Heard County and Callaway-Rockmart. There are two teams remaining from Region-5, Heard County and Callaway… Can the Heard County Braves end Fitzgeralds improbable run…Will Rockmart be the next victim for upset minded Callaway…Are we in store for an all Region-5 title game…Best of luck to these final four teams as they compete on Friday night.

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.

 

Key: 

TFR – Turd Ferguson Report

GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association

NR – Not Ranked

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

We will be the first to admit, we haven’t given the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes the respect that they deserve this season. They have reached the final four for the 4thtime in 5 years. The Canes went up to Rabun County last week and upset the Wildcats. The road has not been easy for Fitzgerald as they have won the last two games on the road, and beaten two region champions. Fitzgerald got touchdown runs from Ethan Gordon and Justin Reliford. The Purple Hurricanes are averaging 31.4 points per game on the season while the defense is allowing 17.6 points on the season. Fitzgerald will be on the road again this week as they travel to Franklin, to take on the Heard County Braves. Heard County is back in the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Last week they knocked off Dublin. Quarterback Alijah Huzzie led the way for the Braves with a touchdown run and two touchdown passes.  The Braves have not been dominant on offense, although they are scoring 28 points per game. Their defense has been respectable, allowing only 12.5 points per game. We think that Huzzie and Aaron Beasley will get the best of Fitzgerald this week. We like the Heard County by a touchdown.

 



 

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Callaway Cavaliers went on the road last week and got 3-TDs from Qua Hines to help boost the Callaway into the semifinals for the third time in six years.  The Cavaliers offense is averaging 33.7 points per game, while their defense is allowing 12 points per game. The Cavaliers only two losses come at the hands of two teams that are still in the playoffs, (Troup and Heard County). Callaway will face another giant this week as they face the Rockmart Yellow Jackets. Rockmart is an offensive juggernaut, averaging 47.1 points per game. The Jackets sport two 1,000-yard rushers in Markus Smith (1,049 yards, 16-TDs) and Z.J. Whatley (1,042 yards, 18-TDs). Dylan Bailey has passed for 1,423 yards. Juke Boozer leads the team in receiving with 693 yards and 11-TDs. Rockmart’s defense is only allowing 7.4 points per game. We believe that Callaway has the ability to keep this game close for three-quarters. But we like Rockmart to win by 8 when the dust settles.



 

 

 

 

 

Posted in 2A, Playoffs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment