Our first set of week two GHSA-7-A Playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Lowndes-Westlake, Norcross- Grayson, Walton-Hillgrove and Mill Creek-Milton. Congratulations to all of these teams that won their first round game. Best of luck to you all as you play this Friday.
As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.
Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
If the Westlake Lions were ever looking for some respect, a win in the second round of the playoffs against Lowndes would certainly add some validation to an already great season. Westlake’s only losses this season came at the hands of Grayson and nationally ranked Deerfield Beach. The Westlake offense is averaging 42.9 points per game. The Lowndes Vikings will travel to Atlanta and bring with them an offense that is averaging 45.7 points per game. They are powered by running back Travis Tisdale who has over 1,500 yards on the season. Jacurri Brown and Joe Almond have split time filling in for the injured Andrew Koenemann at quarterback. Although both teams are scoring over 40 points per game, we think this will be a lower scoring game and will take the visiting Lowndes Vikings on the road by 4 over Westlake.
The Skinny
The last time that Norcross and Grayson faced off was in the first round of the 2017 playoffs. The two teams will play again in the playoffs for the right to advance to the quarter-finals. Norcross is averaging 33 points per game this season. They are led by quarterback Louis Williams, wide receiver Isaiah Wilson and running backs Lance Jackson and Kameryn Jackson. Grayson will counter with an offense that’s led by quarterback J’kori Jones, running back Jonathan Halyard and receiver Kenyon Jackson. They are averaging 42.2 points per game. However, we think that the difference in this ballgame will be the Grayson defense. The Rams are only giving up 16 points per game this season. We think Kevin Harris, Owen Pappoe and the rest of the Rams defense will be able to keep the Blue Devils in check. We like the Rams by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
Two of the top schools in Cobb County will face off on Friday as the Walton visits Hillgrove. The Walton Raiders primarily attack through the air with quarterback Austin Kirksey passing for over 1,200 yards this season in limited action due to injury. Last week, the Raiders got a big performance from running back D.J. Soyoye. On the season, the Raiders are averaging 39 points per game. The host Hillgrove Hawks are averaging 36.8 points per game and come into this game undefeated. They have done most of their damage on the ground this season. The Hillgrove defense is only giving up 15.8 points per game this season. Yet, the Walton offense is a little more prolific than any of the others that Hillgrove has seen this season. We like Walton by a touchdown this week.
The Skinny
The Milton Eagles will host the Mill Creek Hawks this Friday. Milton got past a stubborn South Gwinnett team last week. The Eagles are led by Georgia Tech commit Jordan Yates who has passed for 1,882 yards and rushed for 709. The Eagles are averaging 39.5 points per game, while their defense is surrendering 19.5 points. Milton’s only two losses were by a combined 4 points; and both of those teams made the playoffs. Mill Creek edged Brookwood in their first round game last week. Chancellor Lee-Parker leads the Mill Creek attack. Last week, he and Parker Wroble led the way on the ground to get the Hawks past Brookwood in overtime. Mill Creek is averaging 34.1 points per game this season, but their defense is giving up 24.2. Their only losses were to 3 top ten ranked teams. Milton is our pick to advance to the quarterfinals; we like the Eagles by 11.