Our GHSA 6-A-Quarterfinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Valdosta-Dacula, Northside Warner Robins-Sequoyah, Coffee-Lanier, Lee County-Creekview. Region-1 has all four teams advancing to the quarterfinals. That’s a testament to how tough that region is. Could they push all four teams to the semi-finals…Only time will tell. 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 Dacula Falcons will host the Valdosta Wildcats on Friday. This is their second quarterfinal appearance since 2013. The Falcons were led by running back Trenton Jones last week as he rushed for 122 yards and 1-TD. Meanwhile, the Valdosta defense forced a few turnovers, and was able to keep Glynn Academy at bay and advance to the quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Tate Rodemaker continues to re-write the Valdosta record books in terms of passing. Prior to last weeks game he had thrown for 3,263 yards and 32-TDs. The Dacula defense is only giving up 13.5 points per game. But we don’t think they’ve faced an attack like Valdosta’s. The one equalizer for Dacula might be the weather. Currently, there is an 80% chance of rain on Friday in Dacula. Will that aid the Falcons…we don’t think it will be enough. We like the Wildcats by 13.
The Skinny
The Northside Warner-Robins Eagles will visit Canton for the first time as the travel to face the Sequoyah Chiefs. Northside is coming off of a big shutout win over Bradwell. Northside got 3 touchdowns from Zikhyree Hill and 73 yards rushing last week to pace the Eagles in the victory. The Sequoyah Chiefs won a thriller down in Fairburn as they beat Creekside 50-49 in overtime. Sequoyah generally runs the wing-T, but really opened it up and Collier Pecht, (Pecht rhymes with faith), threw for 273 yards and 4-TDs. This would be the Chiefs second come from behind victory in as many weeks. This is only the Chiefs second time making it to the round of 8. Is there more magic left for Sequoyah? The current forecast is calling for rain on Friday evening. We aren’t sure if that benefits either team, but our guess is that we will see both teams try to establish the run. We think this one will be close, but our gut tells us Northside by a touchdown.
The Skinny
Coffee was brewing once again as the Trojans, the 4-Seed from Region-1, went on the road and beat Richmond Hill last week. This is the 3rd consecutive year that the Trojans have reached the quarterfinals. Freshman running back Maurice Turner paced the Coffee offense with 198 yards on 14 carries with 1-TD. Quarterback, AJ Wilkerson ran for 85 yards and 2-TDs. Lanier quarterback, Zach Calzada also had a big night on the ground for the Longhorns, as he ran 15 times for 107 yards and 3-TDs. Taj Barnes also had a productive night out of the backfield, as he ran for 191 yards and 2-TDs. Will the Coffee County players be road weary this week? This will be their second trip to metro Atlanta in three weeks. Coffee’s only losses were to the other 3 Region-1 teams, and all of them are still in the playoffs. We like the Trojans to advance by 10 points.
This might possibly be the best quarterfinal matchup regardless of classification. Coach Adam Carter has his upstart Creekview Grizzlies playing at a high level. The Grizzlies are in the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. And have been ranked No. 2 for several weeks. Cade Radam rushed for 277 yards and 4-TDs in a wild game against Habersham Central. The final point total might have some thinking it was the score to a basketball game, as Creekview outlasted Habersham Central 65-48. The Grizzlies will be on the road to face the No. 1 team in the state and the defending state champion, Lee County Trojans. Lee County currently holds an 18 game winning streak dating back to 2017. The Trojans recorded their 5th shutout of the season last week. Their defense has been the biggest story as they are only allowing opponents 4.1 points per game. Can Creekview pull the upset on Friday?!?! Of course they can…we certainly do believe it’s possible, but we just don’t think it’s probable. It will be close than most think, but look for Lee County to win this game by two touchdowns.