TFR GHSA A-Private-Semifinal Preview

Prince Avenue and Athens Academy will face off in a rematch of an early season game that the Spartans of Athens Academy won by 4. Last week the Spartans outlasted Calvary Day with a late touchdown and then a defensive stand to secure their second consecutive trip to the semifinals. The Spartans have not lost a regular season game since November of 2016, a loss to Prince Avenue Christian. The Spartans are averaging 31.6 points per game on offense, while their defense is allowing 15.1 points per game. Prince Avenue Christian is in the semi finals for the 4^thstraight season and is looking to get to the finals for the first time since 2012. Wolverines dual-threat quarterback Brock Vandagriff passed for 140 yards and rushed for 104 yards and accounted for 3 total TDs to help get the Wolverines into the semifinals. Vandagriff has passed for 2,943 yards on the season and is 35 yards shy of breaking the 1,00 yard mark rushing. Mack Simmons and Christian Parrish lead the team in receiving, combing for 1,807 yards and 20 total TDs. The Wolverines are averaging 45.7 points per game, but it was the Spartans that held them to their lowest output this season. We believe this game will be just as close as the first matchup, but we like the Wolverines to sneak past the Spartans by one.

The Savannah Christian Raiders lost their first game of the season, but since then have been on a roll. First year coach Baker Woodward has guided the Raiders to eleven straight wins and put them on the brink of their first finals appearance since 2011. Spencer Robicheaux has passed for 1,529 yards while running backs Nate Moon, Jordan Grant and Marquell Brown have combined for 2,475 yards and 31-TDs. Savannah Christian is averaging 35 points per game, while their defense is surrendering 11.5 points per game. They will need another great defensive effort as they take on the defending state champion Eagle’s Landing Christian Chargers or ELCA is they are known in most parts. ELCA is averaging 51.9 points per game, while their defense is only allowing 6.8 points per game. They have not lost to a Class-A opponent since they lost in the finals back in 2014. Senior quarterback Brayden Rush has passed for 1,412 yards and 21-TDs. Keaton Mitchell has scored 45 rushing touchdowns, which ties a record set by one of the best running backs in Georgia, the great Herschel Walker. Mitchell has also rushed for 2,180 yards on the season. Last week, he rushed for 219 yards and 4-TDs. That’s the 6^th time this season he’s gone over 200 yards rushing. Savannah Christian’s best defense might be their offense this week. If they can shorten the game and keep the Chargers offense off the field, they might be able to keep this game close. We just don’t think it will be enough. We like the Chargers by 17.