We begin our 7-A playoff previews this week. Our first preview will feature matchups between Cherokee-Lowndes, North Pauling-Westlake, Mountain View-Norcross and South Forsyth Grayson. Some of the story lines include, the Cherokee Warriors are back in the playoffs this year but will have their hands full with Lowndes…Can Westlake make another run into the playoffs. The Lions have been overlooked by some polls. First thing is first, they’ve got to get past North Paulding…Mill Creek and Norcross both have had challenging regular season schedules…waiting in the wings for both of them is a potential match with Grayson. The Rams looked to be poised for a deep run. And no disrespect to South Forsyth, but can the take down the talent filled roster of Grayson…
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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 Cherokee Warriors will make the 264-mile trek to take on the Lowndes Viking. Cherokee have had resurgence this season after going winless in 2017. If the Warriors are going to win this game, they’ll need to slow down Lowndes running back Travis Tisdale. Tisdale has rushed for 1,459 yards and 18 TDs on the season. Quarterback Andrew Koenemann has missed the last few weeks, so that may provide an opportunity for the Warriors to key in on the run game. Lowndes is averaging 40.2 points per game. We don’t think the Warriors can outscore them. The Warriors defense does fly around and we think they can certainly compete, but if they can’t keep Tisdale in check, it could be a long night. This game should be close through three-quarters, but we expect Lowndes to pull away and win by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
Westlake has been getting snubbed in most local polls, but now in the second season, the polls don’t matter. If Westlake is going to advance past the first round, Malachi Miller, Asher Spivey and Myles Farmer will have to slow down the passing attack of Ross Malmgren and the North Paulding Wolfpack. Malmgren has passed for 2,589 yards and 26-TDs with only 3 interceptions. His main targets are Kellan Autenrueth and Jarod Ray. Westlake is averaging 40.2 points per game will North Paulding is averaging 31.1 points per game. We don’t believe either one of these teams will get to their average this week, but we like Westlake to win a tightly contested game by 4 points.
The Skinny
Mountain View will travel to Norcross to take on the Blue Devils. The Bears offense has been powered by Davian Criss this season. He has rushed for 1,257 yards and 17-TDs. The Bears are averaging 25.6 points per game on offense. Jacob Lund leads the defense with 6.5 sacks. Norcross is led by the arm of Louis Williams; he has passed for 1,901 yards and 19-TDs. The offense is averaging 30 points per game. Both teams have a common opponent, in Parkview. Norcross fared better against Parkview than did Mountain View. We think the Blue Devils will be able to hold off the Bears this week and advance. We like Norcross by 10.
The Skinny
There is scarcely enough room in our preview to talk about the stars that will line up for the Grayson Rams on Friday night. The Rams feature several D-1 prospects including the like of offensive linemen Wanya Morris, Trent Hones and Jakai Clark. They’ve paved the way for over 1,800 rushing yards for the Rams backfield. J’kori Jones has passed for over 1,600 yards on the season for Grayson. Visiting South Forsyth is led by running back Jordan Brunson and quarterback Drew Morris. The War Eagles are averaging 22.1 points per game. We think they will need a big night on offense in order to best the Rams this week. That’s a tough task considering Grayson is giving up 15.8 points per game. We just don’t see a scenario playing out that South can slow down Grayson. We like the Rams by three touchdowns.