Our GHSA Class-A-Private-Quarterfinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Calvary Day-Athens Academy, North Cobb Christian-Prince Avenue Christian, Fellowship Christian-Savannah Christian, and Darlington-Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (ELCA). Congratulations to these final 8 teams on a successful season. Best of luck to you all as you compete this Friday.
As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to contact me if there are any errors.
Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
The Athens Academy Spartans will host the Calvary Day Cavaliers The Spartans reached the finals last year and are looking to get back for the second consecutive season. Len’Neth Whitehead and Payton Bowles have led the way for the Spartans. Athens Academy is averaging 32.2 points per game while their defense is allowing 15 points per game. Calvary Day has won five consecutive games and last week got 154 yards and 3-TDs from Jalen Leary to help in the win over Holy Innocents. The Cavaliers amassed 328 yards on the ground last week and averaged 11.7 yards per carry. We think that Bowles and Whitehead will out-duel the Calvary Day backs this week. We like Athens Academy by a touchdown.
The Skinny
Upstart North Cobb Christian is in the playoffs for the first time in school history. Their quarterfinal opponent will be the Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines. Sharnard Banks led the way last week with 104 yards on the ground for the Eagles. The North Cobb offense is averaging 26.6 points per game while their defense is allowing 16.4 points per game. Their opponent, Prince Avenue Christian is averaging 45.5 points per game. Last week Brock Vandagriff passed for 166 yards but also rushed for 155 yards and 5-TDs to lead the Wolverines to victory. On the season, Vandagriff has passed for 2,803 yards and 26-TDs. Prince Avenue is in the quarterfinals for the 8th consecutive season. We don’t think the Eagles can out score the Wolverines. We like Prince Avenue by 10 this week.
The Skinny
Savannah Christian outlasted Hebron Christian last week to advance to their third quarterfinals in five years. Coach Baker Woodward has led the Raiders to their first region title since 2011. Coincidentally, that’s the last time the Raiders won the state title. Last week, it was Spencer Robicheaux who passed for 186 yards and Marquell Brown who rushed for 113 yards and 1-TD. The Raiders have rushed for 2,705 yards on the season. Their opponent, Fellowship Christian has been led by running back Murphy Reeves this season, but last week he was limited to 8 yards on 2 carries. Cameron Gill picked up the slack rushing for 111 yards and 1-TD. The Paladins are averaging 38.9 points per game. If they can get to that number, we think they have a good chance of beating Savannah Christian. But we don’t believe they will get to that number. We like Savannah Christian by a field goal.
The Skinny
The Darlington Tigers will travel to McDonough to take on ELCA. ELCA has won 3 consecutive state titles behind the leadership of senior QB Brayden Rush. The Chargers are averaging 52.8 points per game this year. The Darlington Tigers are averaging 23.1 points per game. There’s not a whole lot of analysis here. The rain might help slow down the Chargers, but we still think they come away with a victory this week. We like ELCA by 23.