Irwin County Indians (9-3) at Metter Tigers (13-0)
How They Got Here:
Metter defeated:
Turner County 20-19
Mitchell County 49-8
Warren County 28-6
Irwin County defeated:
Jenkins County 41-7
Wilcox County 14-0
Commerce 25-21
Players to Watch:
Metter:
QB/DB: Taj Hobbs, RB Reco Coney, RB Aaron Collins, LB Kaliq Jordan, DB Danny Cheley, DB Devin Smith
Irwin County:
QB Cody Soliday, RB Garland Benyard, RB Gabe Benyard, RB Derrick Taylor, LB Kam Ward, DB Donivan Thomas,
Noteworthy:
Metter is the only unbeaten remaining in 1A Public, and one of six unbeatens statewide. Their semi-final takes them a round further than their playoff campaign in 2A a year ago. Since dropping to 1A they have been quite dominant with their only close game coming in the first round of the playoffs. They will meet Irwin County, your reigning Class 1A Public state champion. Don’t let the three losses fool you as Irwin County played a tough out of region schedule as well as playing in the toughest region in 1A. Region 2 has 3 of the remaining 4 teams left in 1A!
Clinch County Panthers (8-3) at Brooks County Trojans (13-1)
How They Got Here:
Clinch County defeated:
McIntosh Academy 23-17 (OT)
Pelham 14-6
Lincoln County 27-7
Brooks County defeated:
Claxton 36-0
Dublin 41-7
Washington-Wilkes 47-7
Players to Watch:
Clinch County:
QB Elijah Tiller, RB Marquavious Grady, WR Perry Williams, DT Amari Hodges, LB Tajuan Gordon, DB Tyler Morehead
Brooks County:
QB Jamal Sanders, RB Omari Arnold, WR Willie Brown, DE J’Shawn Baker, LB Camron Priest, LB Gregory Colston
Noteworthy:
Neither one of these programs are strangers to success or deep playoff runs. Both were semi-finalist a year ago and Brooks County continues their mission to win the state championship after falling short a year ago. Clinch County started the season slow, but has since found a way to win, being one of two #3 seeds left in the playoffs across the state. These teams met earlier in the season with Brooks County claiming a 45-3 win, but that was a month ago. The Trojans have yet to be challenged on the scoreboard in the playoffs, and you know the Panthers would love nothing more to find the winning side of this rematch!
