The GHSA Playoffs get under way on Friday night. The past few seasons, we have attempted to preview every playoff game. This season we are taking a bit of a different approach. We will give you our overall thoughts on each classification and then preview two of the top games for each classification. For our Class 3A – GHSA Playoff Preview we highlight the Ringgold vs. Hart County and Southeast Bulloch vs Long County games.
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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)
Tale of the Tape
Defending Champion: Pierce County
Current No. 1: Pierce County (TFR)/ Monroe Area (GHSFD)
Best 1st Round Game: Ringgold-Hart County
Longest Playoff Drought: Long County (First Appearance)
Week 1 Upset Alert: Southest Bulloch, Ringgold, Dawson County, Carver-Atlanta
Final Four Predictions: Cedar Grove, Thomson, Monroe Area, Rockmart
Sleepers: Sandy Creek and North Hall
We like Cedar Grove to bounce back from last week’s loss to Sandy Creek and get on the right foot and win the state title. This might be one of the most wide open classifications from top to bottom. There are several great first round games including Rockmart-Stephens County, Dawson County-Sandy Creek, and Adairsville-Oconee County. Great down the line games include Crisp County-Oconee County, Hart County-Thomson, and Monroe Area-Sandy Creek.
We won’t be totally surprised to see a Cedar Grove vs Sandy Creek rematch in the state title game, but that’s not our projected matchup. The defending champions, Pierce County might feel slighted as we believe they are in one of the tougher brackets with Monroe-Area, Peach County and Sandy Creek. We believe Rockmart has the best path to the final four, but it’s certainly not automatic. As we mentioned before, this classification is really wide open so we wouldn’t be shocked to see a dark horse or two in the mix at the end.
The Skinny
The Ringgold Tigers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Tigers have had one of their best seasons since their semifinal run in 2013. Ringgold had won nine straight games before falling to Rockmart last week in the de facto region title game The Tigers are averaging 38 points per game while the defense is allowing just 11.1 points per game. Kori Dumas is the work horse for the Ringgold offense. They’ve defeated two playoff teams this year.
The Hart County Bulldogs will make the trip from Northeast Georgi this week. The Bulldogs are in the post season for the fifth straight season and since 1993, they’ve only missed the playoffs twice. Hart County is 2-2 in their last four games. Similar to Ringgold, Hart County has a work horse in the backfield as J.L. Lackey has punished defenders when he gets to the second level. Nori Moore has also been a great change of pace running back for Hart County. The Bulldogs have defeated four playoff teams this season.
This is certainly our pick for best first round game in Class 3-A. The Tigers have had a great season and home field advantage should help keep this close, but if J.L. Lackey is healthy, we like Hart County’s chances. Bulldogs by 7.
The Skinny
The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets have advanced to the playoffs for the eighth time in the last nine years. Southeast Bulloch is averaging 32.9 points per game and allowing 9.5 points per game. This is one of the best scoring defenses in the regular season since 1982. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 107.2 yards per game through the air and 215.9 yards per game on the ground. The ground game is powered by Khristian Clark (548 yards, 10-TDs), A.J. Johnson (520 yards, 6-TDs), Tyler Griffin (478 yards, 7-TDs) and Tradon McBride (438 yards, 6-TDs). Griffin also leads the team in receiving with 23 receptions for 544 yards and 5-TDs. Jontavious Scott and Kyon Taylor are tops on the team in total tackles. The Yellow Jackets have defeated five playoff teams this season.
The Long County Blue Tide have advanced to playoffs for the first time in school history. Their five wins on the season matchups school best. The Blue Tide are averaging 21.6 points per game while allowing 29.6 points per game. Long County is led on offense by sophomore running back Ahmari Douglas. Through the first nine games of the season, Douglas has rushed for 993 yards and 9-TDs. There is nothing fancy about the Long County offense. They line up with a full-house backfield and will try to wear down opposing defenses. In the first 9 games, Long County only attempted 22 passes. This is the first trip to the playoffs for the Blue Tide.
A win this week would advance Southeast Bulloch to the second round for the first time since 1974; and of course, a Long County win would represent the first post-season victory in school history. This might be one of the fastest played games across the state as both teams rely heavily on the ground. If the Blue Tide can keep the Southeast Bulloch offense on the sideline we like their chances. Something tells us to take Coach Pfiester and the upstart Blue Tide…So we will. Upset special..Long County by 2.