We have reached the second season as the GHSA Football Playoffs begin this weekend. There are two Cherokee County schools that have qualified for the post season. The Cherokee Warriors will be on the road taking on the Norcross Blue Devils. while the Creekview Grizzlies will go on the road to Carrollton and face the Carrollton Trojans on Saturday. Both Cherokee County teams do have a path to victory this week, but both Norcross and Carrollton are storied programs so we expect uphill battles this week. Previews of both games are below.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Norcross Blue Devils are in the playoffs for the sixteenth time in seventeen years under head coach Keith Maloof. The Blue Devils have won two state titles during that span. Norcross had won six straight games before falling last week to Archer. They’ve defeated three playoff teams this season and are averaging 27.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 12 points per game. They’ve only allowed 25 total points in region play. Norcross is relatively balanced on offense, averaging just under 130 yards per game through the air and 150 yards per game on the ground. Quarterbacks A.J. Watkins and Javan Brown have combined to throw for 1,118 yards and 14-TDs prior to last week’s regular season finale. Christian Williams leads the team in rushing while Nakai Poole is the leading receiver for the Devils. Zakye Baker has been a menace on defense along with Jeremiah Willis. Baker leads the team in total tackles while Willis leads Norcross in sacks.
The Cherokee Warriors are in the post season for the sixth time in eight years. Cherokee closed out the season winning three of their last five. The Warriors have defeated two playoff teams this season and are averaging 23.6 points per game while allowing 24.4 points per game. They are led by quarterback A.J. Swann has thrown for 1,856 yards and 20-TDs. Adarrius Harshaw (29 receptions, 329, 4-TDs) and Caleb Richardson (26 receptions, 355, 6-TDs) have been Swann’s primary targets on the year. Cherokee has been pass heavy on offense, throwing for just under 200 yards per game while rushing for just under 75. Defensively, the Warriors are led by Tyler Goddard who leads the team in total tackles, sack leader Javon Hobson and Toby Thompson, who leads the team in tackles for loss.
We believe Cherokee’s defense can keep them in this game, but the big test will be if Cherokee’s offense can move the ball against a very sound Norcross defense. Cherokee will get points on the board, but we like Norcross by 6 in a low scoring game.
The Skinny
Since 1990, the Carrollton Trojans have only missed the playoffs one time. That’s an outstanding run of 30 out of the lat 31 season in which the Trojans were in the playoffs. They are winners of their last five games and are averaging 42.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.9 points per game. The Trojans have scored 35 or ore points in eight of their games this season. Quarterback M.J. Morris has thrown for 2,458 yards and 28-TDs. His top receivers are Ace Williamson (33 receptions, 503 yards, 6-TDs) Terrell Carmichael (29 receptions, 659 yards, 9-TDs) and Takare Lipscomb (42 receptions, 708 yards, 7-TDs). Sophomore running Bryce Hicks leads the teams in rushing with 604 yards and 9-TDs. The Trojans defense has intercepted 10 passes this season with Amare Hall leading the secondary with 5 to his own credit. Carrollton has defeated five playoff teams this season.
The Creekview Grizzlies are in the post season for the third time in four years. Creekview has won their lat three games and their two losses this season have come by a combined 14 points. The Grizzlies defense has recorded three shutouts this season. They are averaging 32.6 points per game and allowing 10.7 points per game. Quarterback Mason Hicks has now thrown for 1,515 yards and 22-TDs. He’s also rushed for 534 yards and 4-TDs. Tyler Stevens has been the workhorse win the backfield grinding out 761 yards and 9-TDs averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The versatile Stevens has also caught 33 passes for 341 yards and 5-TDs. Tristan Summers is having a banner senior year for the Grizzlies as he has caught 35 passes for 521 yards and 6-TDs. The Creekview defense has shutout three opponents on the year. They have defeated two playoff teams this season.
Creekview is not going to blow you away getting off the bus, but they won’t be intimidated by the history and lore of Carrollton or Grisham Stadium. They play sound defense which will most definitely keep them in the game. Playing at home this week is a big advantage for the Trojans. While being at home for is nice for Carrollton, the real big advantage might be the Carrollton receivers We like the Trojans by 8.