Class 3A Quarterfinal Playoff Previews
Appling County Pirates (9-1) at Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans (11-0)
How They Got Here:
Appling County defeated Morgan County 42-13, Upson-Lee 61-7
GACS defeated Franklin County 37-7, North Hall 33-0
Noteworthy: Both of these teams have had standout seasons from start to finish. Appling County challenged itself playing up in classification for much of the non-region schedule and won every single one of those games. Their lone loss came to Region 1 Champion, Pierce County, who is also in the quarterfinals. The Pirates have been averaging 50 points a game in the playoffs. The Spartans who find themselves right back in the quarterfinals have the chance to reach the semi-finals once again. Both sides of the ball have been solid for GACS with a defense that has a knack for forcing turnovers. It will be fun to see whether the high scoring offense of Appling County can continue putting up points against this opportunistic Spartan defense!
Peach County Trojans (9-1) at Oconee County Warriors (10-0)
How They Got Here:
Peach County defeated Johnson 47-0, Thomson 50-7
Oconee County defeated Westminster 21-7, Dawson County 42-7
Noteworthy: When you get this late in the playoffs you can only expect to start finding a clash of titans like the one we will see on Friday in Watkinsville. The Warriors, last year’s state runner-up have gone undefeated even with playing a challenging non-region schedule. They’ve gotten to this point with an efficient offense with many different weapons, and a defense that has yet to allow over two scores in a game. Peach County lost its first game of the year to Northside and have since rattled off nine straight wins. Eight of those wins have come by double digits, with the lone exception being against Crisp County. It is a shame one of these season’s will come to an end, but no doubt this one will deliver one of the best games of the year in any class!
Carver Panthers (7-4) at Pierce County Bears (10-1)
How They Got Here:
Carver defeated Hart County 32-21, Cherokee Bluff 23-21
Pierce County defeated Burke County 58-14, Central (Macon) 42-0
Noteworthy: The Panthers have not had many “non-competitive” weeks this season as their non-region schedule included Cherokee, Buford and Lovejoy before starting Region 5 play. The Panthers are one of three Region 5 teams left in play alongside GACS and Cedar Grove. Pierce County averages close to 40ppg and has only lost one game to undefeated Fitzgerald. The Bears also have made it back to the quarterfinal round after losing a heartbreaker to Hart County in OT a year ago. On paper, this one looks to go the way of Pierce County, but the Panthers are battled tested and can play with anyone across the state!
Cedar Grove Saints (4-4) at Crisp County Cougars (10-1)
How They Got Here:
Cedar Grove defeated Monroe Area 28-12, Rockmart 30-27(OT)
Crisp County defeated Windsor Forest 35-0, Richmond Academy 36-0
Noteworthy: Cedar Grove is your two time defending 3A state champion. The Saints were undefeated and slated to be the Region 5 #1 seed until they self-reported an ineligible player. They entered the playoffs as a #3 seed and will be faced with winning four straight road games against #1 or #2 seeds to make it back to the state title game. What a road to go through for the 3-peat! Crisp County has some revenge in mind as they were the state runner up to the Saints a year ago in a 21-14 loss. The Cougars have had quite the season with their lone loss coming by one point to Peach County. Doesn’t get much better than this in the quarterfinals!