Our GHSA 2-A-Finals championship preview is listed below. The Heard County Braves will take on the Rockmart Yellow Jackets for the 2-A state title. Heard County is in search of their first title in school history while Rockmart is in search of their first title in 68 years. Heard County’s Aaron Beasley did not play in the first match-up; will his return in the title game be enough to propel Heard County past the high-flying Jackets? We will know soon enough! Best of luck to both Rockmart and Heard County and their respective communities as they compete on Wednesday, December 12th.
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
The Braves
The Heard County Braves outlasted Fitzgerald last week in overtime to advance to the finals for the first time in school history. Aaron Beasley’s touchdown run in overtime proved to be the difference for the Braves. Beasley totaled 3 touchdown runs, including the game clincher, while quarterback Alijah Huzzie scored twice on the ground in the victory. The Braves have won 11 consecutive games entering this matchup. Heard County is averaging 28 points per game while their defense is allowing 13.7 points per game. In their 4-playoff games, the Braves offense is averaging 36.5 points per game.
The Jackets
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets held off Callaway last week as they are making their fifth appearance in the state title game and are seeking their first championship since 1950. The Jackets racked up 274 yards on the ground in their victory last week, as they were led by Markus Smith (93 yards, 2-TDs), Ant Lester (85 yards), and sophomore Javin Whatley (59 yards, 1-TD). Quarterback Dylan Bailey also passed for a touchdown en route to the 6-point win. The Yellow Jackets sport two 1,000 yard rushers in Smith (1,142 yards) and Z.J. Whatley (1,077 yards). Both backs have scored 18 rushing TDs each on the season. Bailey has passed for 1,463 yards and tossed 22-TDs. Juke Boozer has been his primary receiver this season; Boozer has caught 27 passes for 704 yards and 11-TDs. The Rockmart offense is averaging 45 points per game on the season. Rockmart’s defense is allowing 8.5 points per game on the season, but that number has increased to 19.3 points allowed in the post season.
Final Thoughts
It should be known that Rockmart did beat…or was beating Heard County 33-0 at halftime before a lengthy lighting delay led to a decision by the Braves staff to forfeit the second half. It should be noted that Heard County’s Aaron Beasley did not play in the first game, so we don’t suspect that this game will go the same way that the first matchup did. We still think that Rockmart has enough weapons to outlast Heard County. We like the Jackets by a field goal.