Friday’s Central Georgia playoff scouting reports
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
(Most stats are from MaxPreps unless noted)
GHSA
Quarterfinals
Class 6A
Northside (R2/2, 9-3) at No. 3 Hughes (R4/1, 11-1)
Northside’s road: 35-3 over Lakeside-Evans; 42-13 over Douglas County
Hughes’ road: 42-14 over Glynn Academy; 28-8 over Shiloh
FYI: Northside is going for its first 10-win season since 2016, and 23rd since 1975
Hughes has really picked up steam in the second half of the season and postseason. In the last six games, the Panthers passed for at least 180 yards in three games, cracked 250 yards in three, and went for nearly 370 against Brunswick in the first round. On the leaner passing nights, they made up for it with big running games. And in that span, Hughes surpassed 500 yards in total offense three times.
Northside has had some nice nights, but not to that level that often, and the Eagles have failed to crack 200 yards in offense a few times. Northside has dug early holes in its losses, which have been convincing losses. The passing game is improving, but whether it has improved enough to come up with some big plays and avoid bad situations is a question.
Next: Johns Creek or Dacula
Class 5A
No. 4 Warner Robins (R1/2, 11-1) at Jones County (R4/1, 10-2)
Warner Robins road: 64-20 over Jonesboro; 24-17 over Cartersville
Jones County road: 56-42 over Griffin; 66-42 over Eastside
FYI: Warner Robins head coach Marquis Westbrook is 37-4, and predecessor and Jones County head coach Mike Chastain is 32-8 with the Greyhounds.
It was big and huge and all but historic when Jones County hosted Buford in a 2019 semifinal, with stands being brought in, among other preparations. Jones County was No. 7/3, Buford No. 5/1. Buford’s 29-0 win didn’t lessen how big it was.
And this one’s bigger. Sure, it’s earlier. Yes, Jones County isn’t ranked. This one? Warner Robins is the defending state champ, a year after losing to Buford 17-14 in OT in the final. And last year, Warner Robins put on a clinic in a 56-21 win in a semifinal at McConnell-Talbert. One can call this one the Central Georgia Championship for 2021.
Last year’s highly anticipated game at McConnell-Talbert Stadium ended up being surprisingly – at the time – one-sided. Warner Robins had more rock ‘em than Jones County had sock ‘em. It would appear that gap has decreased, inasmuch as Jones County is accustomed to and preparing for this kind of stage: a huge one, and at home, where the evening’s electricity will start long before kickoff. On paper, things are similar going into the game, except Jones County has the experience of big games, and of working through rough situations.
Warner Robins’ Christon Lane is having a better season in his first year as start than Jalen Addie was two years ago when the teams met. Jones County’s John Alan Richter has 3,021 yards and a sterling 31-7 TD-INT ratio, to go with a sneaky 183 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Demons haven’t faced the speed this year of Zion Ragins at wideout, and the Greyhounds have more weapons than a year ago. Jones County’s defense has more balance, but has more bend to it than a year ago. The Demons have lost major impact players on defense the past few years, but still have playmakers, other than defensive end Vic Burley. Jay Carter, for one.
So loaded with storylines is this game that a kicker is a huge part of it. Jones County’s Evan West has been steady his entire career, but has had an exclamation-point senior season, and will have a big role.
They average 47.1 points scoring and 22.7 points given up (Demons are better on D by eight points), and have big-play players on both sides. But clutch defense is likely to win it.
Next: Creekside or Whitewater
Class 4A
No. 4 Cedartown (R7/1, 10-1) at No. 7 Perry (R4/1, 11-1)
Cedartown road: 55-14 over Hampton; 48-14 over Cairo
Perry road: 31-12 over Hardaway; 42-7 over Flowery Branch
FYI: Cedartown head coach Jamie Abrams is 18-4 in two seasons with the Bulldogs. He was 15-7-1 at Lamar County in 2014-15 before parting ways.
The alma mater of Nick Chubb faces the alma mater of Casey Hayward. One team averages less than seven passes a game, the other 23. One team gets 328.9 and 4.5 rushing touchdowns a game, the other 87.5 yards and 1.7 rushing TDs game.
Contrasts galore for a quarterfinal, and the talent level one would expect from a pair of teams ranked all year.
Both have focal points on defense, Eli Barrow with 9.8 tackles a game and 12.5 TFLs for Cedartown and Jared Fuller with 8.4 stops a game and 9 TFLs for Perry. But they both have a number of defenders making plays. Jordan Stubbs is a backfield pest for Perry with 10.5 TFLs, plus 3 sacks, not as big in this game as TFLs.
The kicking game is mostly even, with Perry a little more likely to gamble on field goals.
Cedartown has to deal with some weapons. Armar Gordon Jr. has completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 2,715 yards and 29 TDs to 13 INTs. Versatile Daequan Wright has the school record with 1,030 receiving yards, with 12 TDs on 52 catches. Dakarai Anderson and Curtis Head are deep threats as well.
Cedartown has to stop big plays against a pass-oriented offense, and Perry has to bow up against the run. Who’s better at their lesser strength on offense – even in a subtle way - is likely to be the difference.
Next: Dougherty or Carver-Columbus
Class 3A
Peach County (R2/2, 8-3) at No. 3 Pierce County (R1/1, 9-2)
Peach County road: 42-3 over Morgan County; 24-21 over Monroe Area
Pierce County road: 42-0 over Windsor Forest; 49-0 over Dawson County
FYI: Peach County, which hadn’t played Morgan County or Monreo Area before, is 2-0 against Pierce County, winning 34-14 in 2017 and 43-15 in 2012, as a favorite in both playoff games
Look at the stats, and there’s little sexy about Pierce County.
The Bears have two quarterbacks good for 364 and 322 yards on 53 attempts, and a top rusher with 1,382 yards, almost 1,000 more yards than the second rusher. But the QBs had only 1 INT against 13 TDs, and one D.J. Bell is the leading rusher and the other one is second with 481yards, 22 rushing TDs between them in the power-oriented single wing offense.
Donelius Johnson has an absurd 11 tackles a game, with 20 TFLs and 9 sacks. Daytin Baker has five INTs, and Danarius Johnson 7.7 tackles a game to go with 27 TFLs. The last TD given up by starters was on Oct. 1 in a loss.
That unit will face a sophomore quarterback in Colter Ginn, a recent starter with some experience but not much size or escapability.
The single wing puts pressure on Peach County’s defense, which hasn’t seen the single wing. The Trojans have three shutouts – over teams with a combined five wins and have held three others to 16 points or less. The 21 points allowed at Monroe Area were the second fewest scored by the previously undefeated No. 1 team – that had more balance than Pierce County, but had a very strong run game - so the defense has some momentum and confidence.
Peach County’s ability to get the ball back and to establish a run game will be huge in pulling off the upset and reaching its first semifinal since 2018.
Next: Burke or Carver-Atlanta
Class AA
No. 8 Northeast (R3/2, 9-3) at No. 10 Swainsboro (R2/1, 9-2)
Northeast road: 42022 over Cook, 26-20 over Haralson County
Swainsboro road: 48-8 over Laney; 41-14 over Columbia
FYI: Swainsboro is 557-376-37 in 101 seasons, as per the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, to Northeast’s 213-321-2 in 52
Northeast QB Travion Solomon is 43 yards from 2,000 passing for the season, and his 653 yards are second, though he leads the Raiders with 12 touchdowns. Many have been on scrambles, so Swainsboro is likely to put a shadow on him at times. He only has three INTs on 208 passes, with 14 TDs.
He’s had as many attempts in a game and a half as Swainsboro has had all year: 61. The Tigers have two 100-carry runners, one 1,000-yarder, and a pair that’s teamed for 33 rushing TDs. Swainsboro gets 8 yards a carry, and has a whopping 51 rushing touchdowns, three more than Northeast has on offense.
So it appears simple. Northeast has to bow up against a powerful run offense, and Swainsboro has to corral Solomon.
Both teams hope and pray it doesn’t come down to kicking.
Next: Putnam County or Fitzgerald
No. 4 Fitzgerald (R1/2, 9-2) at No. 5 Putnam County (R4/1, 12-0)
Fitzgerald road: 15-6 over Dodge County; 28-14 over Fannin County
Putnam County road: 62-7 over East Laurens; 28-24 over Lovett
FYI: Fitzgerald has won the only two meetings, 51-15 in 2015’s first round and 42-14 in 2010’s second round
Expect an entertaining game of contrasts, of a regular major playoff player and one that’s hungry.
Fitzgerald is coached by a Georgia football name, Pruitt. Tucker Pruitt is the son of Robbie Pruitt, a Florida hall of famer who has 203 wins in Georgia at Fitzgerald and Coffee, after winning seven state titles in Florida. Tucker graduated from Fitzgerald and Valdosta State, and is 45-18 in his fifth season.
DeNoriss Goodwin has 1,266 all-purpose yards for Fitzgerald, and LB E.J. Lightsey is – tentatively – headed to Florida.
One defense will get a belly full of the belly, and more power runs. The other will deal with Gerald Kilgore, a dynamic threat who has completed 54.3 percent of his passes for 1,832 yards and 20 TDs to only 3 INTs, adding 472 yards and 11 TDs on the ground. Cedrion Brundage has been a Putnam County mainstay for three years, with a 1,000-yard passing and rushing year as a sophomore on his resume.
Putnam County has several playmakers on defense, led by Michael Crumbley – who gets some snaps on O – with 5.5 tackles a game and 10 TFLs.
A Fitzgerald edge is playing four quarters. The Purple Hurricane have five wins by two possessions or less, including a pair of 15-6 wins over Dodge County, and fewer blowouts. Putnam County pulled out last week’s game, but otherwise has had only three other games that close. The visitors also have played a tougher schedule, with five ranked opponents to none for Putnam County.
Putnam County has to get its defense off the field against a serious ground attack.
Next: Northeast or Swainsboro
Class A Public
No. 3 Macon County (R5/1, 11-0) at No. 1 Irwin County (R2/1, 10-2)
Macon County road: 35-0 over Crawford County; 42-10 over ECI
Irwin County road: 35-7 over Johnson County; 51-27 over Lincoln County
FYI: Irwin County has won seven region titles in the last eight years and been in six championship games in that span.
Macon County head coach Dexter Copeland has tended to have a reputation based on offense, but the Bulldogs have given up only 108 points in 11 games. That’s currently 16th-best in program history for a full season. The 439 points scored is sixth. But defense, considering the talent level on opposing teams in this era, has been stellar. Five shutouts is good, no matter what.
Irwin County has one, but has held three other opponents to a touchdown. Clinch County had no success against either one, losing 26-0 to Macon County to start the season and 42-7 to Irwin County on Oct. 29.
There’s a lot of evenness to the teams. Both have passed for more than 1,400 yards, both have a 1,000-yard rusher. Macon County might have more playmakers on defense. Kenwan Felton is second with 7.3 tackles a game, but has a whopping 32 tackles for loss, and three teammates have at least 10 TFLs.
With similar talent overall, discipline and simple smart play are the keys in this one to advancing.
Next: Manchester or Wilcox County
Class A Private
No. 3 Prince Avenue Christian (R8/1, 11-1) at No. 9 FPD (R1/1, 10-2)
Prince Avenue road: Forfeit over King’s Ridge; 52-0 over Brookstone
FPD road: 21-14 over Aquinas; 31-0 over Mt. Vernon
FYI: Greg Moore took over as head coach in 2000, while Prince Avenue’s first season was five years later, in 2005
On paper, the differences are clear. One in heavy on the pass, one is balanced. One has a 1,000-yard rusher, the other has one runner with more than 100 yards. One is a perennial state title contender, the other not.
And there are similarities, like really good sophomore quarterbacks in their first year as starters.
PAC’s Aaron Philo has 3,422 yards on 71.2 percent completions, with 39 TDs and 8 INTs, adding 89 ground yards on 46 tries with 6 TDs. FPD’s Jakhari Williams counters with 1,548 yards, 65.9 percent, 13 TDs and 5 INTs, and 216 rushing yards on 77 attempts.
The Wolverines have a steady defense, with four players getting at least 5 tackles a game, though only Uriah Howard has double-digit tackles for loss with 15. FPD’s Coleman Cauley is the playmaker, with 15.9 tackles a game, joined by Blake Cohen and Daren Igho Osagie with at least 10 TFLs.
Sacks are spread out for the Vikings, who will certainly have plenty of chances against Philo, who averages 26 pass attempts a game. Josh Britt has four picks for PAC and Garrett Veal three for FPD.
Prince Avenue Christian has, by all accounts, a more talented team, and certainly more tradition, and experience on this stage. FPD is the underdog, but the balance is key, as is the need for somebody not named Cauley to make clutch plays on defense. Plus, the Vikings are more used to full four-quarter games.
Ironically, FPD is having its best year in the GHSA as it prepares to leave the GHSA, and it has a chance for its biggest GHSA win ever and arguably one of its best in program history in its final GHSA home game.
Next: Calvary Day or Fellowship Christian
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈
GISA
(Seeds)
Class AAA
No. 5 Tiftarea (6-5) at No. 1 John Milledge (10-0)
Tiftarea road: bye; forfeit over Frederica
JMA road: bye, 42-6 over Bulloch
Next: Westfield or Pinewood
No. 3 Westfield (8-2) at No. 2 Pinewood (10-1)
Westfield road: bye, 49-41 over Brookwood
Pinewood road: bye; 42-0 over Valwood
Next: John Milledge or Tiftarea
Class AA
No. 4 Gatewood (5-6) at No. 1 Brentwood (9-1)
Gatewood road: 35-6 over SW Georgia
Brentwood road: 49-21 over Robert Toombs
Next: Edmund Burke or Terrell