Our GHSA 6-A-Finals playoff previews is listed below. We are down to two teams and they both come from Region-1. This game will feature a rematch between Lee County and Northside, Warner Robins. Lee County won the first tilt 24-7 earlier this season. The Lee County Trojans will be looking to repeat as state champions. This is the second consecutive year that it has been an all Region-1 state final. This is probably the toughest region in the state, regardless of classification. Best of luck to these schools and their respective communities as they compete on Tuesday, December 11th.
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
The Eagles
We will have a rematch of any early season Region-1 matchup as Northside, Warner Robins will take on defending state champ, Lee County. Northside was the No. 3 seed from Region-1. In their first meeting, they held the Lee County Trojans to 24 points, (their lowest point total of the season). The Eagles will be looking for the schools 4th state title. The won a state title just 4 short years ago. Northside is averaging 32.3 points per game, while their defense is allowing 17.7 points per game. In the playoffs, the Eagles are only allowing 8.5 points per game. Through the quarterfinal round, Jadin Daniels has passed for 1,503 yards and rushed for 1,502 yards with 30 total TDs. Eric Smith has also rushed for 705 yards and 11-TDs. Deshaun Maine leads the Eagles on defense with 99 tackles prior to Fridays win over Dacula; that includes 74 solo tackles. Mario Starling leads the team with 7 sacks and Tubby McCall his picked off 6 passes in the secondary. Senior kicker Cory Munson has connected on 80% of his field goals, including a long of 53.
The Trojans
The Lee County Trojans got 4 touchdown runs by senior Shaundarious Kimbrough, while Kyle Toole passed for 233 yards and a touchdown en route to a 35 point win over Lanier last week. The Trojans are in search of their second consecutive state title. As a team, Lee County is averaging 43.5 points per game, while the defense is only allowing 5.5 points per game. In their first meeting, Lee County held Jadin Daniels to 72 yards passing and limited the rushing game to 61 yards on 32 carries. The Trojans have stymied most rushing attacks this season. While Northside did hold Lee County to 24 points in the first game, it should be noted that the Trojans did not practice most of the week prior to the game due to Hurricane Michael that affected the community. There is talent all over the field for this Lee County team, on both sides of the ball. That’s probably what makes them hard to beat. It’s not just one or two players on offense or defense to worry about…it’s all eleven…
Final Thoughts
This is the third consecutive season that the Class 6-A champion will come from Region-1. Can Northside slow down the Trojans this time? No one has been able to do that this season. We believe it will be the second consecutive title for Lee County. We like the Trojans by 16.