Class A Public
Wilcox County at Irwin County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Buddy Nobles Stadium, Ocilla
Records, rankings: Wilcox County is 10-3, the No. 1 seed from Region 4-A Public and No. 8; Irwin County is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 2-A Public and No. 1.
Last meeting: Irwin County won 14-0 in the second round of the 2020 Class A Public playoffs.
Things to know: These south Georgia schools, about 30 miles apart, had been in the same region since 2006 until last year, and the playoffs have maintained their streak of playing each other annually. Irwin County has won eight straight in the series since Wilcox County’s last region title in 2012. Irwin is trying to become the first Class A public-school team to win three consecutive Class A titles since Lincoln County in 1985-87. The Indians defeated previously unbeaten Macon County 28-15 in the quarterfinals. Damarkus Lundy rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns. He’s rushed for more than 150 yards in all three playoff games and has 1,414 rushing yards on the season. Wilcox County is in the semifinals for the first time since 2012. The Patriots’ last final was during its 2009 state championship season. Wilcox beat Manchester 20-14 in the quarterfinals. Preseason all-state QB Abe Stowe passed for 181 yards, putting him a 2,068 for the season. Day Day Lawson rushed for 94 yards, giving him 1,353 yards on the season. B.J. Gibson had 93 yards receiving. Irwin’s average score is 39-14. Wilcox’s is 26-22.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Irwin County 31, Wilcox County 8
Brooks County at Metter
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium/The Jungle, Metter
Records, rankings: Brooks County is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 2-A Public and No. 2; Metter is 13-0, the No. 1 seed from 3-A Public and No. 4.
Last meeting: Brooks County won 35-6 in the 2019 Class A Public quarterfinals.
Things to know: Metter is in the semifinals for the sixth time in history. The Tigers have never reached a final. For the second straight season, they are 13-0 at this point. They lost to eventual champion Irwin County in the 2020 semifinals. In the quarterfinals last week, Metter beat Turner County 60-21 with 574 rushing yards. Two-way starters Kaliq Jordan (150 yards rushing, 10 tackles) and Danny Cheley (161 rushing, eight tackles, one interception) had big games. Metter is the most run-oriented team remaining in Class A Public. Cheley (1,242 yards) and Josh Kelly (1,587) are each over 1,200 yards rushing. Brooks County has been a state runner-up the past two seasons. The Trojans beat Warren County 51-43 last week for their eighth straight victory, each time scoring at least 42 points. Omari Arnold rushed for 249 yards and five touchdowns on 28 carries and went over 2,000 yards (2,071) for the season with 34 rushing touchdowns. Willie Brown had 114 yards receiving. Brooks’ losses are to Irwin County and Thomasville, which also are in their semifinals.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Metter 30, Brooks County 23
Class A Private
Trinity Christian at ELCA
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Commitment Field, McDonough
Records, rankings: Trinity Christian is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 4-A Private and No. 1; Eagle’s Landing Christian is 7-6, the No. 1 seed from 2-A Private and No. 5.
Last meeting: Trinity Christian won 34-3 on Oct. 1.
Things to know: Trinity Christian, the A Private runner-up in 2020, returned to the semifinals with a 56-7 victory over Darlington last week. The Lions are the state’s highest-scoring team, averaging 53.25 points per game, and their closest game this season was the 31-point win over ELCA in the regular season. David Dallas passed for 228 yards in that game and has thrown for 3,307 yards and 41 touchdowns with just three interceptions for the season. His brother, Josh, has 1,043 receiving yards, and Dominick Cosper has 1,200 yards rushing and 496 receiving. ELCA, which started the season 2-6 against a schedule loaded with top-10 opponents from higher classifications and out-of-state powerhouses, is now two wins away from its sixth state title in seven seasons. Charlie Gilliam passed for 257 yards in a 35-28 victory over Holy Innocents’ last week. He has 1,831 yards and 16 TDs this season. Brandon Hood, a 1,300-yard rusher, ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns. His 19-yard TD run with about three minutes left gave the Chargers a 35-21 lead, and they held on. ELCA is averaging 27.42 points for the season but 43.25 during their five-game winning streak (one win was a forfeit).
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Trinity Christian 34, Eagle’s Landing Christian 14
Prince Avenue at Fellowship Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bob Lord Field, Roswell
Records, rankings: Prince Avenue Christian is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 8-A Private and No. 3; Fellowship Christian is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from 6-A Private and No. 4.
Last meeting: Fellowship Christian won 31-28 in the 2016 Class A Private semifinals.
Things to know: Defending state champion Prince Avenue Christian has won 12 consecutive games since a 21-13 loss to Calvary Day in the opener. Fellowship Christian, which has won 11 straight since a 56-20 loss to Trinity Christian in its second game, knocked out Calvary Day 24-14 last week. Nick Persiano rushed for 110 yards to surpass 1,000 for the season (1,059 with 22 touchdowns). QB Caleb McMickle has passed for 1,850 yards for the year. A victory this week would put first-year Paladins coach Tim McFarlin in the finals for the sixth time (Roswell in 2006, Blessed Trinity in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019). Prince Avenue put up 481 yards in a 41-22 victory over First Presbyterian last week. Aaron Philo was 28-of-35 passing for 397 yards and three touchdowns, putting him at 3,819 yards and 42 TDs for the season. Seven players had at least one catch. Bailey Stockton surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the year with his six catches for 61 yards. He also ran for 32 yards and two touchdowns on three carries. Elijah Dewitt (917) and Ethan Christian (870) also are closing in on 1,000 yards receiving. Dewitt had seven catches for 140 yards and two TDs last week.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Fellowship Christian 26, Prince Avenue Christian 24
Class 2A
Fitzgerald at Swainsboro
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Field, Swainsboro
Records, rankings: Fitzgerald is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-2A and No. 5; Swainsboro is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 2-2A and No. 10.
Last meeting: Fitzgerald won 27-12 in the second round of the 2018 Class 2A playoffs.
Things to know: Swainsboro is in the semifinals for the first time since 2000, when it won the Class 3A championship with a 6-0 victory over Fitzgerald. The teams have met just twice since then, with Fitzgerald winning both. Last week, Swainsboro advanced with a 12-9 double-overtime victory over Northeast. The Tigers blocked a field goal and recovered a fumble on Northeast’s two possessions before winning it with a field goal by Daron Coleman, his first of the season. Ty Adams ran for 82 yards and a touchdown, giving him 1,719 yards for the season. Fitzgerald, the state runner-up last season, is in the semifinals for the sixth time in eight years after a 21-7 victory over previously unbeaten Putnam County. DeNorris Goodwin led the way with 25 carries for 139 yards and two TDs, putting him at 1,002 yards for the season. The Purple Hurricane ran 45 times for 249 yards. Fitzgerald gets 78% of its offense on the ground, averaging 210 yards per game rushing and 60 passing. Donald Wilcox (96 carries, 499 yards), Jakorrian Paulk (56-466) and Sylon Davis (83-303) also contribute to the running game.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Fitzgerald 18, Swainsboro 13
Callaway at Thomasville
When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Thomasville
Records, rankings: Callaway is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 5-2A and No. 7; Thomasville is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from 1-2A and No. 2.
Last meeting: Callaway won 34-21 in the 2020 Class 2A quarterfinals.
Things to know: Callaway’s Charlie Dixon ran for 237 yards in the playoff victory against Thomasville last year, but he’s at North Carolina A&T now, one of six all-state players the Cavaliers lost to graduation. Callaway went on to win its first state title after losing in the semifinals or quarterfinals the previous four seasons. Last week, Callaway trailed South Atlanta 22-14 at halftime but scored on four consecutive possessions in the second half to win 39-22. Kier Jackson and Amarion Truitt ran for two touchdowns each, and Deshun Coleman threw a 35-yard TD pass to Cameron Tucker. Thomasville, in search of its first state title since 1988, is in the semifinals for the second time in three seasons. The Bulldogs held Rabun County’s Gunner Stockton, the No. 2 passer in state history, to 14-of-32 passing for 160 yards last week and knocked out the top-ranked Wildcats 49-24. Malik Harper ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, and Ricky Fulton ran for 109 yards on 14 carries. Shannen White passed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 88 yards and two TDs.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Thomasville 29, Callaway 10
Class 3A
Appling County at Cedar Grove
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, William “Buck” Godfrey Stadium, Decatur
Records, rankings: Appling County is 12-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-3A and No. 6; Cedar Grove is 10-3, the No. 1 seed from 5-3A and No. 5.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Things to know: Appling County is in the semifinals for the first time since 2011 and can reach its first final in a football history that dates to the 1950s. The Pirates, whose lone loss is to region rival Pierce County, beat previously unbeaten Thomson 21-7 in the quarterfinals. Appling held Thomson to a season-low 210 total yards. Jarvis Mims rushed for 102 yards. Dennis Mims went over 1,000 yards rushing on the season and had nine tackles, two tackles for losses and an interception. Taylen Crosby, who rushed for 317 yards in a second-round victory over Cherokee Bluff, did not play because of an injury and remains questionable this week. Cedar Grove, the Class 3A champion three of the past five seasons, beat Crisp County 28-6 last week. Arkansas commit Rashod Dubinion rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns, and Crisp County was limited to 190 total yards and two field goals. Cedar Grove’s defense has two players committed to Georgia (CB Kayin Lee and DE/LB Carlton Madden) and another heavily recruited in that direction (DL Christen Miller).
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: This game is rated as a toss-up.
Carver (Atlanta) at Pierce County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bearville Stadium, Blackshear
Records, rankings: Carver is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 5-3A and No. 8; Pierce County is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 1-3A and No. 3.
Last meeting: Pierce County won 51-18 in the 2020 Class 3A quarterfinals.
Things to know: The 2020 quarterfinal between these two was settled by halftime as Pierce County took a 30-6 lead. Carver was playing without injured star RB Jarveous Brown. He has run for 1,490 yards this season and is joined now by transfer Quintavious Lockett (1,258 rushing yards) to form one of the state’s most explosive backfields. The Panthers have put up 414 yards rushing per game in three playoff games. Loading the box to stop Brown and Lockett also has consequences. Bryce Bowens was 6-of-10 passing for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the 46-14 victory over Burke County last week. Pierce County, the reigning state champion, has seven shutouts but beat Peach County 35-30 in a rare high-scoring affair in the quarterfinals. QB D.J. Bell, who takes direct snaps and rarely passes, rushed for 256 yards and five touchdowns on 45 carries. He’s rushed for 1,636 yards and 21 touchdowns in only eight games and surpassed 250 yards in four straight games, all against playoff teams. This is Pierce County’s third semifinal in four years. The senior class is 48-5 overall, 12-2 in the playoffs. Carver is seeking its first state final since 1967.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Pierce County 21, Carver 14
Class 4A
Cedartown at Carver (Columbus)
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus
Records, rankings: Cedartown is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 7-4A and No. 4; Carver is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from 2-4A and No. 3.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Things to know: Cedartown is in the semifinals for the first time since 2001 after a 39-25 victory over Perry last week. Cedartown trailed 18-17 early in the third quarter but outscored Perry 22-7 the rest of the way. C.J. Washington (committed to Georgia) ran for a season-high 204 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and had a touchdown receiving. Washington (914 yards rushing for the season) and Harlem Diamond (1,075) have combined for almost 2,000 yards. Diamond had 56 yards and a TD last week. The Bulldogs finished with 334 rushing yards, slightly above their season average of 329.3. Carver reached the semifinals five times, and won a state title, from 2006 to 2011, but this is the Tigers’ first trip back to the final four since then. Carver defeated Dougherty 16-14 last week. Jaiden Credle rushed for 137 yards and both of his team’s touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 4-yard run with 8:01 remaining in the third quarter. Credle has 1,874 yards rushing for the season. Jamari Riley added a season-high 101 yards rushing, as the Tigers finished with 319 yards on 46 carries.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Cedartown 22, Carver 20
North Oconee at Benedictine
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Savannah
Records, rankings: North Oconee is 10-3, the No. 1 seed from Region 8-4A and No. 5; Benedictine is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 3-4A and No. 2.
Last meeting: Benedictine won 48-17 on Sept. 10.
Things to know: Benedictine was 0-2 and North Oconee was 1-2 coming into the teams’ early September meeting, which Benedictine won with a 34-point second half. Neither team has lost since. Justin Thomas had 214 yards rushing, 77 yards receiving and three touchdowns in that game. The Georgia baseball commit had 205 yards on 21 touches in a 24-21 victory against top-ranked and defending champion Marist last week that put the Cadets in the semifinals for the fifth time in nine seasons. Holden Geriner (committed to Auburn) was 10-of-13 passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns against Marist and has 2,765 yards and 29 TDs for the season. Benedictine is two wins away from its third state championship in eight seasons. North Oconee, which opened in 2004, is in the semifinals for the first time in school history after a 29-24 quarterfinal win over Bainbridge. North Oconee trailed 17-15 in the third quarter but got rushing touchdowns from Max Wilson and Khalil Barnes and then held on. Barnes and Dominic Elder had first-quarter touchdown runs. Jack Fabris and Brett Biga had interceptions.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Benedictine 34, North Oconee 17
Class 5A
Warner Robins at Creekside
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Banneker High School, College Park
Records, rankings: Warner Robins is 12-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-5A and No. 4; Creekside is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from 3-5A and No. 5.
Last meeting: Warner Robins won 34-21 in the second round of the 2004 Class 4A playoffs.
Things to know: Warner Robins, the defending Class 5A champion, is a victory away from its fifth consecutive finals appearance. The Demons beat Jones County 49-21 in the quarterfinals with 491 yards rushing and a season-low 46 passing yards. JaFredrick Perry rushed for 291 yards and five touchdowns on just 14 carries. Chaz Sturn rushed for 172 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Malcolm Brown, the Demons’ leading rusher with 1,332 yards, hasn’t played the past two games. Creekside, a defensive-minded team, beat Whitewater 20-13 while allowing only 138 total yards and seven first downs. Nyqua Lett was 10-of-15 passing for 106 yards. Khary Morrow rushed for 96 yards on 21 carries. Creekside is trying to reach the finals for the first time since its 2013 state championship team. Creekside’s average score is 34-12 against a schedule that includes seven top-10 opponents, two from higher classes. That includes a victory over Class 7A semifinalist Grayson. Warner Robins’ average score is 49-19 while playing six top-10 opponents, three from higher classes.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Warner Robins 28, Creekside 21
Blessed Trinity at Calhoun
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Phil Reeve Stadium, Calhoun
Records, rankings: Blessed Trinity is 9-4, the No. 3 seed from Region 7-5A and No. 9; Calhoun is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from 7-5A and No. 6.
Last meeting: Calhoun won 32-27 on Oct. 8.
Things to know: In the region game between these two in the regular season, Calhoun QB Christian Lewis was 13-of-16 passing for 234 yards. Gage Leonard had 117 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 15 touches. Cole Speer, a two-way starter and Region 7-5A’s player of the year, had six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Calhoun never trailed. Blessed Trinity RB Justice Haynes rushed for 224 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries in defeat. He ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 49-7 victory over Villa Rica. He has rushed for 2,200 yards in 11 games, having missed two early in the season. Blessed Trinity is the lesser balanced team, averaging less than 100 yards passing per game. Calhoun and Blessed Trinity have won three state titles each since 2011, all in lower classifications, with Calhoun winning in 2011, 2014 and 2017 and Blessed Trinity in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Calhoun 29, Blessed Trinity 19
Class 6A
Dacula at Hughes
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium, Fairburn
Records, rankings: Dacula is 9-4, the No. 2 seed from Region 8-6A and unranked; Hughes is 12-1, the No 1 seed from 4-6A and No. 3.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Things to know: Both teams are seeking their first appearance in the state finals. Dacula is in the semifinals for the third time in four seasons and sixth time overall. Hughes is in the semifinals for the first time since the program began in 2009. Dacula is the only unranked team still alive in 6A after a 35-0 victory over Johns Creek, which was the last remaining No. 4 seed. The Falcons scored all of their points in the game’s first 16 minutes. Kyle Efford, a three-star linebacker prospect committed to Georgia Tech, ran for three touchdowns and had an interception to set up another score. Will Green recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. Hughes has won 12 consecutive games since a 7-6 loss to Newton in the opener. The 12 wins are a school record. The Panthers defeated Northside of Warner Robins 48-7 last week behind four rushing TDs by Antonio Martin, who is committed to Georgia Tech. Martin ran for 95 yards on 19 carries, giving him 786 yards for the season. Prentiss Noland passed for 171 yards and a touchdown, and Jakarri Martin scored on a 44-yard fumble return. Michael Collins recorded 16 total tackles.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Hughes 25, Dacula 14
Carrollton at Buford
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Records, rankings: Carrollton is 12-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 5-6A and No. 7; Buford is 12-1, the No 1 seed from 8-6A and No. 1.
Last meeting: Buford won 24-21 in the 2019 Class 5A quarterfinals.
Things to know: Carrollton ended a five-year losing streak in quarterfinal games with a 37-32 win over Westlake that put the Trojans in the semifinals for the first time since 2013. Bryce Hicks scored the winning touchdown on a 33-yard pass from M.J. Morris with 41 seconds left. Hicks rushed for 141 yards (giving him 839 for the season) and three touchdowns. Morris (committed to N.C. State) also threw a touchdown pass to himself, catching a ball that was deflected at the line of scrimmage and running 25 yards for the score. Carrollton led 24-0 in the third quarter but was outscored 32-7 over the next 16 minutes. Carrollton averages 42.2 points per game but will be facing a Buford defense that allows just 6.5. The Wolves recorded their fifth shutout of the season when they beat No. 2 Lee County 27-0 last week. Ashton Daniels (committed to Stanford) passed for 174 yards and a touchdown and scored on an 11-yard run. Victor Venn (Colorado) ran for 195 yards. Buford, a two-time defending state champion, is in the semifinals for the 19th time in 22 seasons.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Buford 34, Carrollton 12
Class 7A
Walton at Milton
When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Eagles’ Nest, Milton
Records, rankings: Walton is 9-3, the No. 3 seed from Region 3-7A and No. 9; Milton is 12-1, the No 1 seed from 5-7A and No. 3.
Last meeting: Walton won 24-9 in 2015.
Things to know: Walton is in the semifinals for the first time since its Class 5A runner-up finish in 2011. Milton is in for the first time since winning the Class 7A title in 2018. Walton advanced in the second round with a 52-35 victory over No. 7 Brookwood, the fourth top-10 opponent the Raiders have beaten, the second in the playoffs, both on the road. Sophomore QB Jeremy Hecklinski was 14-of-24 passing for 268 yards. Rawson MacNeill had five receptions for 99 yards. Sutton Smith, a Memphis-committed running back, had 180 all-purpose yards on 16 touches. His 64-yard TD reception midway in the third quarter gave Walton a 42-14 lead. Milton had a tougher time with fourth-ranked Mill Creek, winning 36-27. It was a two-point game until Jordan McDonald’s 1-yard run with 3:25 left. Devin Farrell was held to 3-for-9 passing for 118 yards, but McDonald rushed for 201 yards on 21 carries. McDonald, who is committed to Central Florida, rushed for 248 yards the previous week against Marietta. Milton’s average score is 42-20. Walton’s is 37-26.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Milton 30, Walton 24
Grayson at Collins Hill
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Fahring Field, Suwanee
Records, rankings: Grayson is 10-3, the No. 2 seed from Region 4-7A and unranked; Collins Hill is 13-0, the No 1 seed from 8-7A and No. 1.
Last meeting: Grayson won 38-14 in the 2020 Class 7A championship game.
Things to know: After losing to Grayson twice last season, Collins Hill is heavily favored this time. The Eagles’ average score is 42-6. Grayson’s is 24-17. Collins Hill has beaten every opponent by 15 points or more. Collins Hill’s 49-7 victory over Lowndes last week was the most lopsided defeat that Lowndes has suffered in 40 years. Sam Horn was 27-of-32 passing for 323 yards and four touchdowns. The Missouri-committed quarterback has thrown for 3,217 yards this season. Travis Hunter, who is committed to Florida State, and Cedric Nash each had 112 yards receiving, and Ryan Stephens rushed for 125 yards. Grayson beat 10th-ranked Roswell 24-14 in the second round. Grayson had eight sacks, and Joe Taylor rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He’s rushed for 966 yards this season. Grayson averages only 80.7 yards passing per game. Grayson has beaten three region champions (Archer, McEachern, Denmark), but Roswell represented Grayson’s first victory over a top-10 opponent. Grayson last beat a No. 1 team in 2019 (Marietta).
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Collins Hill 32, Grayson 0
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