Our GHSA A-Public-Semifinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Pelham-Irwin County and Clinch County-Marion County. Will we get a rematch of last years state final game between Clinch and Irwin…Or will the Pelham Hornets break through. Don’t forget about Marion County. They’ve gone through the season unscathed…Best of luck to these final four teams as they compete on Friday night.
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
The Pelham Hornets are in the semifinals for the first time since 1965. Last week, it was senior Javoris Williams leading the charge for the Hornets, with his third consecutive 100-yard game, as he rushed for 184 yards and 3-TDs. Quarterback Kendrick Perry also passed for 156 yards and added 64 yards on the ground and two rushing TDs. On the season, Perry has accounted for 36 total TDs. As a team, Pelham has rushed for over 3,000 yards this year. The Hornets are averaging an eye-popping 52.8 points per game. Their opponent is current No. 1 and the 2017 runner-up, Irwin County Indians. Pelham has never beaten Irwin County, although the teams haven’t squared off since 1999. Last week, as has been the case for most of the season, DJ Lundy led the Indians with 117 yards and 3-TDs. The Indians had to come from behind last week to beat a very gritty Commerce team. Irwin County is averaging 42 points per game this season, while the defense is allowing 7.9 points per game. We think that Irwin’s strength of schedule has probable been tougher than Pelham’s this season. We like the Hornets to keep it close, but we like Irwin to win by 9.
The Skinny
The Clinch County Panthers are on the verge of returning to the state title game and defending their title. The Panthers are in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. Dantonio Robinsons scored 3 touchdowns last week as Clinch won big on the road. Clinch’s only loss this season came at the hands of region foe Irwin County. The Panthers are averaging 36.5 points per game, while their defense is allowing 11.9 points per game. Trezman Marshall and the Panthers will have their hands full trying to slow down Marion County’s dual threat quarterback, Trice McCannon. Last week, McCannon passed for 256 yards and 4-TDs. On the season, he has passed for 1,751 yards, rushed for 1,121 yards and accounted for 27 total TDs. Running back Travon Matthews has rushed for 1,563 yards and 27-TDs this season. The Marion County offense is averaging 40.5 points per game. The defense is allowing 17.5 points per game. The Eagles are in the semifinals for the third time in school history. We think this game will be a back and forth affair. We also think that Clinch will edge Marion on the road this week. Clinch by 2.