Our GHSA 2-A-Quarterfinal playoff previews are listed below. Defending state champ Hapeville was knocked out of the playoffs last week by the Callaway Cavaliers. So the field is even more wide open as we head into round-3. This preview features matchups between Fitzgerald-Rabun County, HeardCounty-Dublin, Rockmart-Jefferson County, and Washington County-Callaway. . Congratulations to these final 8 teams on a successful season. Best of luck to you all as you compete this Friday.
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes will journey to Tiger, GA to take on the Rabun County Wildcats. Fitzgerald is in the quarterfinals for the ninth time in eleven years. Last week, the Purple Canes got a solid performance from the defense as they forced 3 turnovers, including an interception returned for a TD. On the season, Fitzgerald is averaging 31.75 points per game. They come into this game winning six of their last seven games. Meanwhile, Rabun County has not lost a game since a 3-point week-1 defeat at the hands of Bremen. Rabun County is led by Freshman QB Gunner Stockton who has passed for 2,727 yards and rushed for 677 yards with 49 total TDs. Last week against Chattooga, he had 299 all-purpose yards. Brison Beck leads the team in rushing and also had a big game last week with 182 yards and 2-TDs. Rabun County is averaging 48.4 points per game. Fitzgerald will need another big performance from the defense. They spent plenty of time in the Swainsboro backfield last week. However, we think it will be Rabun County and the freshman quarterback that prevails. We like the Wildcats by 13.
The Skinny
The Dublin Fighting Irish are back in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. As we’ve mentioned before, the Irish have used the Wing-T to power their offense this season. Defensively Dublin is surrendering 7.6 points per game. Their only loss is a 3-point defeat to Brooks County. The Irish will play host to the Heard County Braves. Heard County got off to a bit of a slow start early in the season, but have rebounded nicely and wave won 9 consecutive games. Defensively, Heard County is allowing 13.3 points per game. We think that this game will be close at the half, but we like for the Dublin run game to wear down the Heard County defense, we like Dublin by 12.
The Skinny
This game between Jefferson County and Rockmart has the potential billing of a state title game. Unfortunately, this matchup will take place in the quarterfinals. Rockmart got big games last week from Juke Boozer, Zabrion Whatley, and Markus Smith. Rockmart has really dominated most of its competition this season. The Jackets are averaging 47 points per game, while their defense is allowing 7 points per game on the season. The twelve point margin of victory against Bremen was the closest game of the season for Rockmart since their Week-1 6-point win over Cedartown. Jefferson County is making their second quarterfinals appearance in four years. Jaden Jenkins led the Warriors last week with 268 yards and 1-TD. On the season, he has rushed for 1,977 yards and 29-TDs. The Jefferson County offense is averaging 34.8 points per game this season. We think they might need all of those points and then some against Rockmart. We like the Jackets by 9 in a shootout.
The Skinny
The Callaway Cavaliers will be at home as they take on Washington County this week. Callaway knocked off defending state champion, Hapeville last week, in a game that they dominated from start to finish. Tank Bigsby led the way for Callaway rushing for 4-TDs in the victory. On the season, the Cavaliers are averaging 33.6 points per game. Their only two losses are to Troup and Heard County, both of whom are still alive in the playoffs. The Washington County Golden Hawks have won four of their last five games. They are averaging 36 points per game, while their defense is allowing 19.8 points per game. The electrifying Dyquan Bloodsaw leads the way with over 1,526 yards and 23 total TDs. He has also picked off 3-passes on defense this season. We think this game is nip and tuck. We expect for Bloodsaw and Bigsby to put on a show, but we believe Callaway edges Washington County by the slimmest of margins…call it a 1-point victory for the Cavaliers.