Our final 2-A playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Washington County-Vidalia, Screven County-Brooks County, Elbert County-Callaway, and Coosa-Hapeville Charter. Washington County has been battle tested but the Vidalia Indians aren’t going to back down. Dyquan Bloodsaw has been electric for Washington County but Vidalia hopes to match him with Chris Gay and Nyshun Bell…Screven County and Brooks County will battle it out in Quitman. Jacolby Brown will look to lead the Trojans to another deep playoff run…Elbert County travels across the state to take on Callaway. Both teams are averaging over 34 points per game so the scoreboard operator at Callaway Stadium could be busy…Hapeville Charter will begin its title defense against the Coosa Eagles.
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
Washington County knocked the Vidalia Indians out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals last season. Vidalia looks to return the favor in week one of the playoffs. Washington County is averaging 36.7 points per game on offense while only giving up 18.4 points per game. Their only losses this season were to top-10 ranked Dublin and Doge County. Dyquan Bloodsaw is an electric player on both sides of the ball. The Vidalia Indians are also scoring in bunches, averaging 34.5 points per game. Their only loss this season is a 7-point setback to Swainsboro. The Indians are powered by Chris Gay and Nyshun Bell, who have combined for 1,707 yards and 18-TDs. Can Bloodsaw and the Golden Hawks slow down Vidalia? We think it will be close, but we like the Indians to win by a touchdown.
The Skinny
Screven County will travel to Quitman to take on the Brooks County Trojans. The Gamecocks are led by running back Gary Hawkins who has rushed for 1,173 yards and 18-TDs. As a team, the Gamecocks have rushed for 2,782 yards. The Gamecocks are averaging 27 points per game while the defense is giving up 25.4 points. Brooks County is also averaging 27.3 points per game, but the Trojans defense has been a little better, only giving up 16 points per game. Through 9 games, senior Deon Fountain has caught 49 passes for 635 yards, rushed for 306 yards and accounted for 14 total TDs. We think Brooks takes care of business at home this week and beats the Gamecocks by 13.
The Skinny
The Elbert County Blue devils will make the trek all the way across Georgia to take on the Callaway Chargers in LaGrange. The Blue Devils are averaging 34.3 points per game. They have wins over two teams that made the playoffs. Their defense is giving up 15 points per game. Their opponent, the Callaway Chargers are also averaging 34.6 points per game and their defense has been equally as good, giving up 10.9 points per game. Their only loss to a Class 2-A opponent was a 3-point loss to Heard County. Two way star Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby might be too much for the Blue Devils to contain this week. We like the Cavaliers by 16.
The Skinny
Coosa Eagles will take on the defending state champions Hapeville Hornets. Coosa is averaging a respectable 25.6 points per game while their defense is giving up 28 points per game. The Eagles have been close in games against a handful of playoff teams, but Hapeville is probably like no other team Coosa has faced, save for Rockmart. The Hapeville defense is giving up 3.2 points a game. Their only loss is to 6-A Allatoona. That defense has recorded seven shutouts this season, including a 30-point beating of Heard County. All signs point to a big Hapeville win this season. Hornets by five touchdowns.