Our first set of 5-A playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Jones County-Bainbridge, Jonesboro-Wayne County, Carver, Atlanta-Kell, and Miller Grove-Buford. Jones County travels to Southwest Georgia to face a young but talented Bainbridge squad. Can the Bainbridge Bearcats slow down the Jones County air-raid…The Wayne County Yellow Jackets looked prime for another deep playoff run. Does Jonesboro have any threat that can slow down the Jackets…Kell has put together another great season. Looming large is a second round matchup against Buford, but first they’ve got to take care of Carver Atlanta. The Panthers Deante Maxwell and company may have something to say about that…Finally Buford looks primed for another deep run. Is there any chance for Miller Grove…
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
The Bainbridge Bearcats may have one of the toughest first round draws in 5-A as they host the Jones County Greyhounds. Jones County’s two losses were to Stockbridge and Dutchtown, both of whom are ranked in the top-10 and both losses by just one score. Hunter Costlow has thrown for over 2,400 yards and 30-TDs. Jontavis Robinson and Maleek Wooten have combined for over 1,500 yards receiving and 18-TDs. The Hounds defense is giving up 16 points per game. Jadarian Boykin has 12 sacks for the Jones County defense. Bainbridge will look to sophomores Rashad Broadnax and Caleb McDowell for a lot of their offense; the duo has combined for over 1,100 yards rushing on the season. Defensively for the Bearcats, Roman Harrison and Anthony Brooks have combined for 14 sacks on the season. These two will need to get pressure on Costlow or it could be a long night. We think Bainbridge is a year away with a lot of youth on offense. We like Jones County by a touchdown on the road.
The Skinny
The Jonesboro Cardinals will travel to Jesup to take on the Wayne County Yellow Jackets. The Cardinals have struggled a bit on offense this season, but they are riding a two game win streak heading into the playoffs. The Cardinals are averaging 13.7 points per game, while their defense is surrendering 22.3 points per game. Wayne County has leaned on running back MJ Fuller and quarterback Shamar Taylor this season for most of their production and we don’t expect anything to change Friday night. We think that Wyane will exceed their 33.4 point per game average. This one could be a blowout. We like Wayne County by four touchdowns.
The Skinny
Coach Darren Myles and his Carver Atlanta Panthers will make the trek to East Cobb to take on the Kell Longhorns. The Panthers have been up and down this season. They are averaging 23.9 points per game this year. Quarterback Deante Maxwell has passed for 1,633 yards and 13-TDs while Joquavious Marks has rushed for over 1,400 yards. Tony Jones has also chipped in over 800 yards on the ground. Kell’s offense is powered by senior quarterback Evan Conley. Last week, Conley passed for 263 yards and 4-TDs in a tune-up game. Kell is averaging 36.8 points per game. We think they get close to that number this week and take down the Panthers. Kell wins by 17 this week.
The Skinny
The Buford Wolves host the Miller Grove Wolverines as the Wolves look to get back to their winning ways in the post season. The Wolves are averaging 44.3 points per game, while their defense is only giving up 12.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Miller Grove is averaging 12.4 points per game while their defense is giving up 21.5 points per game. This game could get out of hand in a hurry. We won’t be shocked if Buford wins by six touchdowns this week.