The GHSA Playoffs got under way on Friday night and now, Class A – Public gets under way on Saturday. 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 A-Public GHSA Playoff Preview we highlight the Trion vs. Social Circle and Georgia Military College vs Manchester 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: Irwin County
Current No. 1: Metter (TFR)/ Irwin County (GHSFD)
Best 1st Round Game: Trion vs. Social Circle
Longest Playoff Drought: Crawford County (1999)
Week 1 Upset Alert: GMC, Warren County
Final Four Predictions: Macon County; Trion; Metter; Brooks County
Sleeper: Chattahoochee County
The Brooks County Trojans are our pick to win the Class A-Public title, but it will be a perilous path for them if they do take the crown. There are several contenders in Class A-Public outside of Brooks County, including Macon County, Irwin County, Metter, Bowdon, Chattahoochee County, Schley County and Washington-Wilkes. A few of the top players in the classification including Dalen Cobb of Washington-Wilkes, Rob Brown of Trion, Omari-Arnold of Brooks County and Kenwan Felton of Macon County among many others.
Potential big matchups down the line include Lincoln County-Irwin County, Irwin County-Macon County, Bowdon-Metter and Brooks County-Washngon-Wilkes. Our sleeper is Chattahoochee County. We really like Region 5 and wouldn’t be surprised if they have two teams find their way into the final four.
The Skinny
The Trion Bulldogs are back in the playoffs after a one year hiatus. Since 1996 the Bulldogs have only missed the playoffs five times. Trion enters post-season play on a five game win streak. They’re averaging 41.4 points per game and allowing 10.9. They are on pace to become the top scoring team in school history. Trion is led by running back Rob Brown who has made the most of his senior season, rushing for 2002 yards and 32-TDs. He’s also caught 12 passes for 125 yards and 2-TDs. As you can imagine, Trion relies heavily on the run, averaging 271.1 yards per game on the ground and 121.8 yards per game through the air. Linkin Farrar and Nathan Willingham lead the team in receiving. Defensively, Brantley Willbanks leads the team in total tackles and sacks. Trion has intercepted 15 passes this year with linebacker Clay Chesley leading the way with 3.
The Social Circle Redskins are in the post season for the second consecutive season. Their six wins this season were the most since 2006. The Redskins enter the postseason winners of their last three games. They are averaging 25.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.3 points per game. Social Circle has two victories over playoff teams this season. Unlike Trion, expect the Redskins to air it out on Saturday. They are averaging 210.1 yards per game through the air and 88.7 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Logan Cross has thrown for 2,054 yards and 21-TDs. His top receivers are K.J. Reid, DaShon Hyman and Mason Moore. Linebacker Tucker Cleary leads the Redskins defense with 108 total tackles. It’s a defense that has also intercepted 13 passes, with the aforementioned Reid leading the team with 7.
This is certainly a game with two contrasting styles. Social Circle does play in one of the more challenging regions in Class A-Public. However, it’s a long trip from Social Circle up to northwest Georgia. We believe a steady dose of Rob Brown will probably keep Social Circle’s offense on the sideline. We like Trion by 9.
The Skinny
The Georgia Military College (GMC) Bulldogs had their first 10-win season since 1934. The head coach of the ’34 team was non other than legendary University of Georgia Coach, Wally Butts. The Bulldogs have reached the state tournament for the second year in a row. They are averaging 34.7 points per game while the defense is allowing just over 5 points per game. The GMC defense has shut out three opponents and has not allowed more than 12 points in a game this season. Offensively, they do most of their damage on the ground, averaging 118.5 yards per game rushing while passing for just above 65 yards per game. Through eight games, Jesse Washington has rushed for 989 yards and 8-TDs for the Bulldogs. Trey Woods, Caleb Bush and Rance Williams lead the team in receiving.
The Manchester Blue Devils are in the post-season for the seventh consecutive season. Since 1994, they have only missed the playoffs six times. Manchester closed out their season winning only one of their last three, but those two losses were to Macon and Schley County, both top-10 ranked teams in Class-A Public. The Blue Devils are averaging 25.4 points per game while allowing 14.5 points per game. Their defense has shutout two opponents this season. They have defeated one playoff team this season, but don’t take that lightly. The team they beat was Haralson County; who won Region 5-AA.
GMC has had a great season with ten straight wins for the first time in school history. Yet, as we look at their schedule, we aren’t sure if they’ve played the same caliber of opponents that Manchester has. We believe Manchester is more physical and has more team speed and we like them in the upset this week. Manchester by two touchdowns.