TFR GHSA Class A-Public-Quarterfinal Playoff Preview

The Commerce Tigers will travel down to Ocilla to take on the No. 1 ranked Irwin County Indians. Last week it was quarterback Zach Smith (134 passing yards, 2-TDs), wide receiver Jamorri Colson (111 yards, 2-TDs) and running back Jamal Paulk (67 yards, 1-TD). On the season, Irwin County is averaging 43.5 points per game, while their defense is allowing only 7.2 points per game. The Irwin County defense has recorded 4 shutouts on the season. The Commerce Tigers dropped their last two regular season games, but did go in to Mitchell County last week and got the 2-point victory to advance to the quarterfinals. The Tigers are in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years. On the season, Commerce is averaging 34.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 12.6 points per game. While we think those are great numbers, we don’t believe that the Tigers will have enough defense to slow down D.J. Lundy and the rest of the Indians. We like Irwin County by 14.

The Greene County Tigers are back in the quarterfinals after missing the playoffs entirely in 2017. Greene County is in the midst of an 8-game win streak. During the regular season, dual threat quarterback C’darius Kelley led the team with 1,449 yards passing and 930 yards rushing. Kelley accounted for 28 total TDs. The Pelham Hornets will be next up for the Tigers. Pelham is undefeated coming into this game, but had to come from behind last week to get past ECI. The Hornets have a host of underclassmen that provide significant minutes and contribute to the success the team has had. But last week, it was senior Javoris Williams who led the way with 155 yards rushing and 2-TDs. Junior receiver Jordan Bennett went over the 100-yard mark receiving with 104 yards and 2-TDs through the air. We expect that Greene County will be the toughest opponent that the Hornets have faced this season. We like the Tigers this week by a field goal in a mild upset.

There is an old saying that “the third time is a charm”. The Schley County Wildcats are hoping that is the case, as they will face the Marion County Eagles for the 3^rd time this season. Marion County won the first two matchups 28-7 and 21-6. Last week against Montgomery County, Marion’s Trice McCannon passed for 138 yards and rushed for 223 yards with 4-total TDs. The 223-yard rushing performance put McCannon over the 1,000-yard mark on the season. As a team, the Eagles have rushed for over 3,200 yards on the season, led by Travon Matthews with 1,540 yards. The Schley County Wildcats had another big game on the ground. As a team, the Wildcats rushed fro 321 yards and scored 6-rushing TDs. Schley has rushed for over 3,000 yards this season. Tra Sampson and Zamon Ross have led the way on the ground this season, with the two backs combining for 2,097 yards and 30-TDs. On the season, Schley is averaging 278 rushing yards per game. In their two losses, Marion is only allowing them 137 yards per game. We think this game will be closer than the first two, but we like Marion by a touchdown.

The Clinch County Panthers will log some 550+ miles (round trip) this week as the travel out to Mt. Zion Carroll. Last year it was Clinch who ended the Eagles season in the semifinals. Mt. Zion will be looking to return the favor. The Eagles are in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years. A win would give them their second consecutive trip to the semifinals. The Eagles rely primarily on the run, but Iaan Cousin is an effective passer in certain situations. Clinch County has won seven straight games since a loss back in mid-September to No. 1 ranked Irwin County. Clinch is averaging 36.7 points per game, while the defense is allowing 13.4 points per game. Both Clinch and Mt. Zion have a common opponent in Dooly County. Both teams beat the Bobcats; Clinch by 34 and Mt. Zion by 21. We think that Trezman Marshall and the Clinch County Panthers will leave Carroll County with a win. We like Clinch County by 9.