Who's going to win on Friday night?
Last week: 17-8
Related stories
Second-round scouting reports, with Maxwell predictions
Second round pairings, with coin flip update
Monday Morning Quarterback (on Wednesday, yeah)
Season: 202-55 (78.9)
Within 6 points of margin: 6
Upset specials: 0 for 2
Class 6A
Bradwell Institute (R2, 4, 5-6) at Northside (R1, 3, 6-5), Freedom Field
The records are close, but that’s about it. The Eagles will approach a running clock.
The Sports Report pick: Northside by 27
Class 5A
Ware County (R2, 2, 8-3) at Warner Robins (R1, 1, 9-2)
Ware County knows the road to The Mac, previously to have played Northside. The last two trips weren’t so good. After about a quarter and a half, look for this one to start to turn sour, too.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 24
Class 4A
Woodward Academy (R4, 3, 7-4) at Mary Persons (R2, 1, 11-0)
Concession stand workers have asked Mary Persons head coach Brian Nelson to start all backups or all underclassmen so they can make some second-half money and stay awake. OK, not really.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 40
Columbus (R1, 3, 7-4) at Baldwin (R3, 1, 6-5)
Columbus has won three straight, and two on the road, cracking the 30-point mark in all three games. Baldwin’s has bowed up, holding four of the last six opponents to a total of 13 points – two shutouts in there – and it’s allowed 56 points in the six games since Northside scored 45.
TSR pick: Baldwin by 14
Class 3A
Liberty County (R2, 3, 7-3) at Peach County (R4, 1, 9-2)
Liberty County won two playoff games last year, including 21-0 over Westside, but those games were at home. Which is where the Panthers will be next Friday.
TSR pick: Peach County by 32
Westside (R2, 2, 8-3) at Benedictine (R3, 1, 10-1)
If Westside has learned from its Bibb County brethren – no stupid mistakes, take care of the ball, hush up and play, and stick to fundamental – then the Seminoles can pull off the upset. Strength of schedule edge goes to the Seminoles against a team in its first year in 3A, not that there has been any transition problem.
TSR pick: Westside by 2 (mild upset special)
Class AA
Thomasville (R1, 3, 7-4) at Dublin (R3, 1, 10-1)
Who ended Dublin’s season last year by doubling up the Irish 44-22? The Irish have a pretty decent chance to return the favor.
TSR pick: Dublin by 19
Dodge County (R3, 2, 10-1) at Jefferson County (R4, 1, 9-2)
Is this the year the Indians break their streak of not getting past the second round? A streak that dates back to 1999? Yes.
TSR pick: Dodge County b 12
Washington County (R3, 3, 9-2) at Brooks County (R1, 1, 9-2)
This is the Golden Hawks’ longest playoff ride travel-wise since Ringgold in 2013, a 37-0 win. They won’t repeat that performance, for one because the opponent is much better.
TSR pick: Washington County by 5 (mild upset special)
Class A Public
No. 14 Dooly County (R7/B, 2, 7-4) at No. 3 Mt. Zion (R6, 1, 9-1)
When the Bobcats are all in uniform and paying attention, they’re a top 10 team. This smells like a “got something to prove” game for Dooly County.
TSR pick: Dooly County 4 (upset special)
GISA
Class AAA
Trinity Christian (R2, 3, 7-4) at Tiftarea (R3, 1, 10-0)
Undefeated is undefeated.
TSR pick: Tiftarea by 28
Bulloch (R2, 2, 9-2) at John Milledge (R4, 1, 10-0)
The Trojans have won 23 of their last 24 games at home.
TSR pick: John Milledge by 21
Class AA
Brentwood (R4, 2, 8-4) at Memorial Day (R2, 1, 6-3)
Brentwood won the first meeting 30-12, but that was in Sandersville.
TSR pick: Memorial Day by 3
Southwest Georgia (R3, 2, 8-2) at Gatewood (R1, 1, 7-2)
Gatewood lost 35-26 in the first meeting, on the road.
TSR pick: Gatewood by 12