TFR 2018 GHSA-3-A Week 2 Playoff Preview 1 of 2

The Jackson Red Devils will travel to take on the Pierce County Bears. The Bears got a big win last week. On the season, the offense is led by running back John Jones (1,367 yards, 21-TDs) and quarterback Jermaine Brewton (1,475 yards, 20-TDs). The Bears are averaging 43.2 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 10.5 points per game. Pierce County will be looking to get to the quarterfinals for the third time in five years. Meanwhile, The Jackson Red Devils are looking to get past the 2^nd round for the first time since 2009. Jackson is averaging 24.5 points per game on offense. Jackson’s best win may have been a 28-6 victory over Pike County. No offense to Pike County or Jackson for that matter; but we think Pierce has the edge in this game at home. We like the Bears to win by 10.

Coach Sid Maxwell will take has Dawson Tigers into Monroe to face off against the Monroe-Area Purple Hurricanes. The Tigers are led by senior quarterback Sevaughn Clark, who transitioned from running back last season and spearheads a team that has rushed for over 3,800 yards on the season. Dawson County is averaging 40.7 points per game. Their defense has been just as good, surrendering only 12.2 points per game. The Dawson County defense will need another big performance as they face Monroe-Area and dual threat quarterback Chandler Byron. On the season, Byron has passed for 1,110 yards and rushed for 2,371 yards. Jakai Thompson has chipped in 1,006 yards on the season as well. The Canes are no slouch when it comes to running the ball either, as they have run for over 3,900 yards this season. Monroe Area hasn’t seemed to be challenged all season. The Canes are averaging 42.6 points per game on offense while the defense is only allowing 10.4 points per game. The way that Dawson County runs the ball could present some challenges this week. We will begrudgingly take Monroe-Area, but only by two points this week.

The Westside Macon Seminoles will travel to Savannah as they face the Benedictine Cadets this Friday. Benedictine had a great run at the 2-A level and this season they have fared very well as they were reclassified to 3-A. Rico Powers is a name that all of the Benedictine faithful are familiar with. Powers has rushed for 815 yards and 15-TDs on the season. As a team, Benedictine is averaging 41.2 points per game. That’s slightly above their pace from 2017. The Cadets are undefeated in games against 3-A opponents this season. Westside Macon will counter with quarterback Victor Dixon who has passed for 1,756 yards and 16-TDs and TyShaun Freeman who has rushed for 1,146 yards and 14-TDs. The Seminoles are averaging 29.3 points per game. During the regular season, Westside defeated 3 playoff teams. The Seminoles look to be poised to take down the Cadets, but we like Benedictine by ten points.

The North Hall Trojans will travel to Decatur to face off against the Cedar Grove Saints. These teams are a contrast in style. North Hall will bring a run dominant offense. Daniel Jackson (950 yards, 17-TDs) , J.T. Fair (835 yards, 8-TDs) and David Seavey (414 yards, 11-Tds),  have combined to lead a team that has run for 3,251 yards on the season. The North Hall defense was pretty good as well this season surrendering only 9.7 points per game. But the Cedar Grove Saints are a different animal. They Saints have a lethal passing game. Through 10 games this season, sophomore quarterback Austin has thrown for 1,026 yards and 17-TDs.  Of course, We can’t talk Cedar Grove without mentioning the nation’s top receiving prospect, Jaden Haselwood. Not only is he a star on offense, but look for Haselwood to be in defense to help in the run game and to patrol the secondary if North Hall decides to throw the ball this week. Robert Jones has helped shore up the run game for the Saints, as the senior has rushed for 676 yards in nine games. Cedar Grove is one of our picks to be in the Benz at season’s end. So quite naturally we like this Saints this week. Call it three touchdowns.