Our first set of 6-A playoff previews are listed below. Our first preview will feature matchups between Lovejoy-Valdosta, Evans-Glynn Academy, Allatoona-Centennial and Northgate-Dacula. Some of the story lines include, Valdosta’s Tate Rodemaker as he continues to smash the Wildcats passing records. Can the Lovejoy Wildcats slow him down…The Evans Knight try to upset the Glynn Academy Red Terrors…Does Glynn have enough fire-power to make another deep run in the post season…Will the real Allatoona please stand up. The Bucs will need a solid defensive performance to slow down Centennials “Air Brosmer”. The Centennial quarterback has passed for almost 3,500 yards on the season…The Northgate Vikings will have to figure out a Dacula Falcons team that is only surrendering 14.2 points per game. Do the Falcons have enough weapons on offense to get the job done…
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
**The GSWA ratings used were from the week of 10/29. The newest poll was not available at the time of publication.
The Skinny
The Lovejoy Wildcats will travel to South Georgia to take on the Valdosta Wildcats. Lovejoy does not have a win over a ranked opponent this season, but outside of their week one loss to Banneker by 24 points, all of the Lovejoy losses were less than 10-points to ranked opponents. Lovejoy is averaging 28.9 points per game and giving up 27.7 points per game this season. The host Valdosta Wildcats are averaging 34.7 points per game, but giving up 33.3 points per game. Valdosta has been led by Tate Rodemaker, who has passed for 2,975 yards and 28-TDs. His top receivers have been Aalah Brown, Jaheim Bell and Tarrell Roberts. We think that this game will be more offense than defense. We also think the Valdosta Wildcats will outscore the Lovejoy Wildcats by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Evans Knights will travel to Brunswick to take on Glynn Academy. Evans has struggled a bit on offense, only averaging 18.1 points per game on the season. Dual threat freshman quarterback Lleyton Lackey leads the Knights with 1,065 yards of total offense, (499-passing and 566-rushing). Glynn Academy comes into this game on a four game winning streak. Their three losses this season have all come to playoff teams, (Ware, Wayne and Camden). The Terrors are averaging 25.2 points per game on offense and giving up 17.1 points per game on defense. We don’t expect any offensive explosions in this game, but we do expect Glynn to win this game at home by 10 points.
The Skinny
The Allatoona Buccaneers reeled off seven consecutive wins before their loss last week to Sequoyah. Their offense is led by senior running back Daniel Parsons who will be looking to go over the 1,000-yard mark this week. Parsons has run for 959 yards and 8-TDs on the season. Dawson Coltran is the team’s leading receiver. On defense Jansen Twigg has intercepted 5 passes while Calvin Rucker has recorded 6 sacks. Jude Kelley has connected on 9 of 12 field goals with a long of 49 yards. The Centennial Knights offense has scored points in bunches, averaging 38.5 points per game. Most of that offense has come through the air with Max Brosmer passing for 3,459 yards and 31-TDs. Cal Dickie provides balance in the run game with 1,297 yards and 18-TDs. Brosmer’s primary receiving targets have been Richard Shaw (955 yards, 10-TDs) and Rekevian Mathis (678 yards, 6-TDs). So the obvious question is whether the Bucs physical defense be able to contain the air raid of Centennial. We think it’s close for 3 quarters, but we like Centennial to pull away and win by 11 points.
The Skinny
The Northgate Vikings have been up and down this season. They have big wins over playoff teams such as Starr’s Mill and Region foe Creekside. The Vikings are averaging 25 points per game, but are surrendering 27.1 points per game. Their opponent this week is the Dacula Falcons. Coach Clint Jenkins has the Falcons flying high again this season. Dacula is averaging 31.2 points per game, while the defense has been stout, only surrendering 14.2 points per game. Their only losses come at the hands of a pair of 7-A playoff teams. Trenton Jones has rushed for over 1,000 yards while quarterback Jarrett Jenkins has passed for over 1,400 yards. While they haven’t had much press around the state, Dacula should be primed to make a deep playoff run. We like the Falcons by two touchdowns.