Class 7A Quarterfinal Playoff Previews
Lowndes Vikings (9-1) at Milton Eagles (11-0)
How They Got Here:
Lowndes defeated Newton 42-0, North Cobb 21-13
Milton defeated Peachtree Ridge 45-14, Archer 17-9
Noteworthy: A rematch of a 2018 state semi-final game that saw Milton advance to and win the state championship. Both of these programs are no stranger to success as Lowndes was last year’s state runner up as well. Outside of a tough loss to Colquitt County, the Vikings have had a remarkable 2020 campaign, with more than half of their wins coming over teams that made it to the second round of the playoffs or further. The Eagles have also had an impressive 2020 season, and have a team that has a wealth of talent as many different positions. A big storyline to watch in this one will be whether or not starting Milton QB Devin Farrell will be able to play after missing the Archer game a week ago. Either way, this game will be a clash of Class 7A titans, and we can’t wait to see it!
Parkview Panthers (8-3) at Collins Hill Eagles (10-2)
How They Got Here:
Parkview defeated Camden County 24-17(OT), East Coweta 41-14
Collins Hill defeated Alpharetta 42-7, Denmark 17-6
Noteworthy: 30 minutes separate these two Gwinnett County schools as they set up for this quarterfinal showdown. The Panthers have a strong run game that is well documented, but their passing game led them to a blowout win of East Coweta in the 2nd round. They have played a tough schedule from start to finish and it seems the benefits are starting to show. Collins Hill is having a record setting season and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Since an overtime loss in early October, the Eagles have not had an opponent come within ten points of them. It will be fun to see how this one plays out as these teams seem to be playing their best football at the right time of year!
Colquitt County Packers (9-0) at Norcross Blue Devils (12-0)
How They Got Here:
Colquitt County defeated Brookwood 49-3, Walton 35-12
Norcross defeated South Forsyth 47-20, Roswell 40-20
Noteworthy: Two of Class 5A’s four unbeaten teams will face off in Gwinnett County on Friday. The Packers find themselves back in the quarterfinals after being ousted in the second round a year ago. The previous year they were the state runner-up where they lost to Milton by one score. It is fair to say they have been the state’s most dominant team so far as no one has played them within single digits. Norcross has made it back to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2013 when they won the Class 6A state championship. Their undefeated season has been relatively smooth outside of an OT win against Mill Creek back in October. Pairing these two teams in the quarterfinals makes for no small task to advance on to the semi-finals!
West Forsyth Wolverines (9-3) at Grayson Rams (11-0)
How They Got Here:
West Forsyth defeated Meadowcreek 39-14, North Gwinnett 17-16
Grayson defeated Tift County 43-0, Harrison 30-6
Noteworthy: After a 2-3 start the Wolverines have churned out seven straight wins that saw them capture the Region 6 Championship in a big win over Denmark. They ousted last year’s semi-finalist and traditional power North Gwinnett with some big defensive stands to get to this round. Grayson is no stranger to deep playoff runs having made the quarterfinals four of the past five years. This year the Rams have some impressive wins over teams still alive in the playoffs and by a wide margin as well. Grayson is fighting through adversity recently as star running back Phil Mafah went down with an injury in the first round of the playoffs. Playing without him will be tough, but look for plenty of other Rams to step up and fill the void. This makes for the third quarterfinal to be played in Gwinnett County on Friday and it should be a good one!