Last week: 12-2

Season: 232-68, 77.33

Within 7 points of margin: 4; 71 for the season

Upset specials: None

A note: The Sports Report policy is to max out picks at 39 points although some games could earn a predicted margin of victory in the 40s and 50s.

 

The overall record, region and region finish accompany each team. Ranking is from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s final regular-season poll.

 

GHSA

Quarterfinals

Class 6A

Houston County, 7-5, R1/4, at No. 2 Harrison, 12-0, R6/1

          The Hoyas haven’t been beaten, but have gotten games from South Cobb (38-20), Dalton (42-21), Allatoona (21-17) and Winder-Barrow (45-25). Houston County can’t let a single quality opportunity go, and can’t give more than one. The hosts get a late cheap score.

The Sports Report pick: Harrison by 16

Class 5A

No. 9 Griffin, 9-3, R3/2, at No. 7 Jones County, 11-1, R4/1

          Griffin hasn’t had the toughest road to get to this point. Goodness, the road got tougher. The Greyhounds haven’t sizzled in a good while, and they’re still due.

TSR pick: Jones County by 20

Clarke Central, 9-3, R8/1 at No. 2 Warner Robins, 11-1, R1/1

          The rare battle of balance. The Gladiators have more yards and nine more touchdowns by air than by ground. But Clarke Central has given up some points. The Demons still have to get sharper in some areas.

TSR pick: Warner Robins by 17

Class 4A

No. 7 West Laurens, 11-1, R2/1 at at No. 3 Blessed Trinity, 11-1, R7/1

          It sounds odd, but West Laurens no doubt got some ideas from Baldwin despite a 33-point margin last week. The Titans have lost five home games since 2012. But defense travels.

TSR pick: West Laurens by 4

Class 3A

No. 1 Peach County, 11-1, R4/1 at No. 2 Cedar Grove, 10-2, R5/1, Godfrey Stadium

          The Trojans haven’t worried much about road games in the playoffs in recent years, winning at Calhoun, Greater Atlanta Christian, and Westminster each of the past three years. Certainly no reason to doubt a change in habit.

TSR pick: Peach County by 16

Class AA

No. 4 Hapeville Charter, 10-1-1, R6/1, at No. 5 Dublin, 11-1, R3/1

          Hapeville, a one-year home to former Southwest QB Jordan Slocum in 2018, is almost as run-heavy as Dublin, but the Hornets have maybe just enough of a passing game to be a pain. Hapeville has hardly left metro Atlanta for a game, so a home crowd from a decade ago could make a difference.

TSR pick: Dublin by 4

 

GISA

Semifinals

Class AAA

Tiftarea 8-3, at John Milledge, 11-0

          Tiftarea is used to close games, having played in six single-digit margins of victory this year. Is Tiftarea used to playing the likes of Amaad Foston and his offensive line?

TSR pick: John Milledge by 17

Class AA

Gatewood, 10-2, at Brentwood, 10-2

          Defensive players better have eaten light Thursday and rested well Thursday night. The offenses average 40.1 and 41.1 points a game. Somebody’s defensive play wins it.

TSR pick: Brentwood by 3