This is Part I of our GHSA Football Previews called Eight Greats Around The State. Several games this week will help determine playoff seeding. Our first preview features a big show down in Region 2-3A as the Pierce County Bears host the Appling County Pirates. Pierce is looking for their second consecutive region title, but Coach Tomberlin has the Pirates playing well. So, who’s rushing attack will reign supreme Friday night? In Region 3-5A, the Riverdale Raiders host the Starr’s Mill Panthers. The Raiders only loss is a 13-point setback to highly ranked Carrollton. But Starr’s Mill has won the last three region titles and looks like they aren’t quite ready to release their stranglehold on the region. Another big game for seeding takes place in Region 3-7A as Marietta takes on Hillgrove. Both of these teams were edged by McEachern, but a win this week by either team would help secure at least a first round home playoff game. Finally, Region 1-7A comes down to a matchup between Lowndes and Colquitt County. Since 2014 Colquitt has won the region all but one time and that was in 2017, when the Vikings claimed the Region title. Will the Packers air assault or the Vikings ground game rule the night in this matchup? As always, please feel free to share and comment.
Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
We’ve been catching a little flack about our No. 1 Ranking for Pierce County. But all the Bears have done this season is win. Certainly the most difficult part of their schedule is in front of them, and the Appling County Pirates should present a stiff test. The Bears are averaging 43.2 points per game and are allowing 10.2 points per game. L.J. Newton has rushed for 665 yards and 10-TDs. Quarterback Jermaine Brewton has passed for 977 yards and 9-TDs and has added 295 yards and 4-TDs rushing.
The Appling County Pirates are off to their best start since 2011. Coach Rick Tomberlin has the Pirates in a position to compete for a region title if they can win their last two games. As a team, Appling County has racked up 2,284 yards rushing. Sharrod Roberts (536 yards, 7-TDs) and R.J. Conaway (465 yards, 6-TDs) lead the ground attack. Keyshawn Walker and Matthew Nails have combined for 14 receptions for 311 yards and 4-TDs. The Pirates are only allowing 10.3 points per game this season and have two shutouts. We believe Pierce survives a scare from Appling this week. Bears by 2.
The Skinny
The Riverdale Raiders are off to another great start in region play, but this week begins a two game stretch that will determine if the Raiders can capture their first region title since 1998. Quarterback Avaun Rucker has passed for 1,063 yards and 13-TDs. His leading receiver has been Derwin Burgess with 22 receptions for 386 yards and 5-TDs. Meanwhile, Phalon Daniels (741 yards, 8-TDs) and Malik Harris (575 yards, 11-TDs) lead the Raiders ground game. As a team they’ve rushed for 1,867 yards. The defense is allowing 16.1 points per game, but perhaps most impressive are the 15 interceptions they’ve made. Sophomore Larrence George leads the team with 3 picks.
The Starr’s Mill Panthers have won the last three region titles, but will need to win out in order to claim their 4th consecutive title. The Panthers will look to get their ground game going this week. Kalen Sims (784 yards, 4-TDs) and Ben Bodne (646 yards, 12-TDs) lead the way for the Panthers who have rushed for 2,071 yards as a team. Starr’s Mill has only passed for 331 yards this season. The Starr’s Mill defense is allowing 12.8 points per game and has two shutouts to their credit. This game should be much closer than last hears 23-point Starr’s Mill victory…but we still like the Panthers by 8 this week.
The Skinny
As it stands right now, this game does not have region title implications, assuming McEachern remains undefeated. However, a home playoff game could be at stake when the Marietta Blue Devils host the Hillgrove Hawks this Friday. The Blue Devils have a star-studded offense that is led by quarterback Harrison Bailey (2,314 yards passing, 23-TDs), tight end Arik Gilbert (48 receptions, 925 yards 8-TDs), receiver Ricky White (46 receptions, 677 yards, 8-TDs) and running back Kimani Vidal (734 yards, 15-TDs). The defense is allowing 20.2 points per game. B.J. Ojulari leads the way on defense with 75 total tackles and 12 sacks.
The Hillgrove Hawks were perhaps robbed of a go-ahead touchdown against McEachern early in October, but there is no time to cry over spilled milk. Outside of the McEachern game, the Hawks have dominated most of their opponents, save for an overtime win against a gritty Etowah team. Hillgrove is averaging 33.6 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 13.2 points per game. Even with two high scoring offenses, we believe points will be at a premium this week. We like the Blue Devils at home by a field goal.
The Skinny
Lowndes will host Colquitt County with the Region 1-7A title on the line. Lowndes has dominated their opponents this season outscoring them 368-71. Their closest margin of victory was 24 points. Most of the Vikings offense comes by way of the ground game, as they’ve rushed for 2,478 yards as a team. Sophomore quarterback Jacurri Brown leads the team in passing (715 yards 5-TDs) and rushing (901 yards 11-TDs). Israel Mitchell, Justin Lee and Gary Osby have combined to rush for 1,325 yards and 24-TDs. The Lowndes defense has racked up 31.5 sacks, led by Thomas Davis with 7; meanwhile the secondary has intercepted 9 passes this season.
The Colquitt County Packers only blemish was a one-point loss to Valdosta back in mid-September. The Packers are a little more balanced than the Vikings, but definitely have leaned more on the passing game. Jaycee Harden has thrown for 2,504 yards and 32-TDs. His leading receivers are Lemeke Brockington (38 receptions, 695 yards, 11-TDs), Tyler Walker (37 receptions, 485 yards, 3-TDs), and Tahj Sanders (31 receptions, 493 yards, 7-TDs). Daijun Edwards leads the team in rushing with 777 yards and 9-TDs. The Packers defense is allowing 12.2 points per game. We believe this will be a back and forth battle, and much closer than last years game, but we like Lowndes to edge the Packers by a touchdown.