Our final set of 6-A playoff previews are listed below. The matchups include Lakeside, Evans-Effingham County, Mundy’s Mill-Lee County, Habersham Central-Douglas County, and Pope-Creekview. Lakeside Evans travels to Effingham County in hopes of slowing down the Rebels tandem of sophomore running backs…Meanwhile, Mundy’s Mill will take on Lee County in a true David versus Goliath match-up. Lee is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as state champs…Tre’ Luttrell and the Raiders from Mt. Airy travel to Douglas County to face one of the best defenses in 6-A. Can Douglas contain Luttrell…Finally, one of the best rushing teams in 6-A faces off against one of the best running backs in 6-A as Pope brings their 2,900+ yards of rushing offense into the Grizzly Den to see if they can derail Cade Radam and the Grizzlies…
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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 Lakeside Evans Panthers will travel to Springfield to take on the Effingham County Rebels. Lakeside is averaging 18.9 points per game while the defense is giving up 15.7 points per game. Their opponent, Effingham County has fared a little better on offense, scoring 24.5 points per game. A pair of sophomore running backs, Desmond House and Ashaud Roberson have combined for over 1,000 yards on the season. The Rebels defense is giving up 16.9 points per game. Both teams beat their common opponent, Evans earlier this season. This game is a toss-up, but we will take the Rebels by 3 at home.
The Skinny
The Lee County Trojans have looked almost invincible this season. The Trojans offense is averaging 42.4 points per game, led by Kyle Toole, who has passed for over 1,700 yards on the season. Chauncey Magwood and Daveon Sanders have been two of his top targets. Yet the biggest story for the Trojans has been the defense, which is giving up an average of 3.7 points per game. (That’s no misprint!) Mundy’s Mill does not have a win against a ranked opponent this season, but almost upset the Tucker Tigers back in September. Mundy’s Mill is averaging 26 points per game this season. Raheem Gaines has rushed for 1,290 yards and 6-TDs on the season for the Tigers. It will be interesting to see how he fares against a Lee County defense that a one point was giving up just under seven, yes seven rushing yards per game. We like Lee County big this week by four touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Habersham Central Raiders are back into the post-season for the first time in seven years. The Raiders have benefited from the addition of dual threat quarterback Tre’ Luttrell. Lutrell has passed for over 1,800 yards and rushed for over 575 yards on the season. Donovan Curry has been his primary receiver with over 40 receptions on the season. The Raiders are averaging a healthy 29.5 points per game but the defense has been the bugaboo for the Raiders giving up 30.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Douglas County’s calling card has been their defense. They are giving up an average of 12.7 points per game this season. Mataio Soli has recorded well over 20 sacks on the season. As a team the Tigers have recorded over 40 sacks. We think the defense will do just enough to keep Luttrell in check this week. We like Douglas County by a field goal.
The Skinny
Coach Adam Carter has come to Creekview and in his first season led the Grizzlies to their first region title and first undefeated season in school history. The Grizzlies are powered by a physical offensive line anchored by tackles John Williams and Nick Pendley. Cade Radam has been a workhorse this season for the Grizzlies as he’s rushed for 1,531 yards and 18-TDs. The Grizzlies defense has been stout as well this season, only surrendering 12.5 points per game. The Pope Greyhounds generate most of their offense on the ground. Joseph Stellmach has rushed for 1,064 yards for a team that has rushed for almost 3,000 yards this season. Ryan Stuetzer has seven interceptions on the season. We think that the Creekview defense will be able to slow down the Pope ground game this week and win this one big, Grizzlies by three touchdowns.