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Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

GISA playoff capsules

Class AAA

FPD Vikings (8-2)

Regular-season finish: Second in 2-AAA.

Key players: QB Ryan Smith, Sr.; OL/DL Hunter Hawkins, Sr.; LB Kyle McCallum, Sr.; RB Taylor Jones, Sr.; FB Zach Mullis, Sr.; FB Ben DuBose, Soph.

Scouting report: The Vikings utilize a spread offense very similar to the one West Virginia runs. It’s heavy on the option with Smith carrying the ball a majority of the time. Smith can pass it, too. The defense plays aggressively and has good sideline-to-sideline speed. The Vikings don’t get caught out of position very often.

First-round matchup: vs. Trinity Christian

Gatewood Gators (7-3)

Regular-season finish: Second in 4-AAA

Key players: RB Lanier Bonner, Sr.; ATH Gregory Manley, Sr.; LB Rob Knight, Sr.; RB Hunter Harrison, Sr.

Scouting report: Gatewood hasn’t won more than seven games in a season since 1999, so the Gators have a significant opportunity to make some history Friday. The Gators have a three-headed monster at running back with Bonner, Harrison and Manley. They are fifth in AAA in rushing offense.

First-round matchup: vs. Mount de Sales

John Milledge Trojans (0-9)

Regular-season finish: Fourth in 4-AAA

Key players: RB Josh Hartzell, Sr.; WR Johnny Pittman, Sr.

Scouting report: The Trojans have struggled mightily this season, losing to previously winless Trinity Christian last week. The Trojans have moved the ball with some success this season, but they haven’t been able to stop anyone. They have allowed more rushing yards than any AAA team.

First-round matchup: at Tattnall Square

Mount de Sales Cavaliers (4-6)

Regular-season finish: Third in 2-AAA

Key players: QB Bradley Smith, Jr.; WR Josh Abrams, Soph.; RB Jamiah Walker, Sr.; RB Chris Swain, Jr.; ATH Myles Swain, Soph.

Scouting report: The Cavaliers have shown some flashes of brilliance, but they have also battled inconsistency. When they play like they did against Stratford and Tattnall, the Cavaliers can contend with any team. The Cavaliers have passed the ball as well as any Bibb County team this season. They also have a few different players who can hurt a defense in the running game. The defense has been inconsistent, but it can lock a team down when it’s playing at its highest level.

First-round matchup: at Gatewood

Stratford Eagles (4-6)

Regular-season finish: Fourth in 2-AAA

Key players: RB Marquez Lemon, Jr.; OL/DL Matthew Waldorf, Sr.; TE/LB Drew Akacki, Jr.; WR Christopher Geeslin, Sr.; QB/LB John White, Sr.

Scouting report: The Eagles are without question the best No. 4 seed in the GISA. They have already defeated their first-round opponent, Pinewood Christian, by 17 points this season. Lemon is clearly the featured player on the Eagles’ offense. He rushed for 233 yards against a good Tattnall defense last week. His numbers aren’t as gaudy as they were a season ago, but they have improved as an inexperienced offensive line has matured. The Eagles have two solid receivers. They do a decent job defending the pass, but teams have been able to gash the Stratford defense on the ground.

First-round matchup: at Pinewood

Tattnall Square Trojans (7-3)

Regular-season finish: First in 2-AAA

Key players: LB Hank Avery, Sr.; DL Hunter Wilkinson, Jr.; DL Logan Easterwood, Sr.; RB John Rader, Soph.; WR Ham Goodner, Sr.; QB Ryan Bartholomew, Sr.; RB Andrew Layson, Soph.

Scouting report: The Trojans have matured into state championship contenders. They have more balance on offense than any other local GISA team. Bartholomew has grown with the offense and become a threat through the passing attack. Rader and Layson have led a strong rushing attack. Tattnall has the third-ranked run defense in AAA. The defense is led by Avery at linebacker and a dominating defensive line. Tattnall has won seven in a row.

First-round matchup: vs. John Milledge

Trinity Christian Crusaders (1-9)

Regular-season finish: Third in 4-AAA

Key players: QB Chris Hobbs, Jr.; WR Matt Weigel, Jr.

Scouting report: The Crusaders picked up their first win by beating winless John Milledge 24-7 last week. They have, however, improved some late in the season. Trinity took a good Gatewood team to overtime in week nine. But the challenge this week is enormous. This week’s opponent FPD beat Trinity 63-0 earlier this season.

First-round matchup: at FPD

Westfield Hornets (9-1)

Regular-season finish: Second in 3-AAA

Key players: RB John Lee, Jr.; QB Wesley Rust, Jr.; TE Wesley Murph, Jr.; OL Drew Payne, Sr.

Scouting report: The Hornets have several signature wins this season — they swept the Bibb County schools of Region 2-AAA — but they haven’t been able to bridge the gap with region rival Deerfield-Windsor, which has defeated them five straight times. The offense is extremely efficient. Rust commands the wing-T from under center. Lee has had the most productive season of any Middle Georgia GISA running back. Cole Crouch adds a different dimension in the rushing attack. The Hornets played hard-nosed defense. They have allowed more than 14 points only twice.

First-round matchup: vs. Holy Spirit Prep

Class AA

Brentwood War Eagles (7-2)

Regular-season finish: Second in 1-AA

Key players: RB Evan Wiggins, Jr.; RB Damon Harris, Soph.; QB Nick Burgamy, Sr.; WR/DB Tucker Cobb, Sr.

Scouting report: The War Eagles have lost once to a AA school — a 21-point loss to Piedmont. They have a number of different offense weapons that can gash a defense in the wing-T attack. Wiggins and Harris have both rushed for more than 600 yards on the season.

First-round matchup: vs. Tiftarea

Griffin Christian Crusaders (7-3)

Regular-season finish: First in 4-AA

Key players: RB Anthony Lewis, Jr.; RB Trey Epperson, Sr.; QB Taylor Frederick, Sr.; DB Adam Smith, Sr.; LB Josh Robinson, Sr.

Scouting report: Griffin Christian has the top rushing offense in AA with two running backs who have rushed for more than 1,200 yards in Lewis and Epperson. Griffin won four straight to close the regular season, the final win coming in overtime over perennial power Flint River. The Crusaders will pass the ball some with Frederick when they need to.

First-round matchup: vs. Robert Toombs

Piedmont Cougars (6-4)

Regular-season finish: First in 1-AA

Key players: RB Blake Hammock, Jr.; DL Buddy Morrison, Sr.; QB Alex Hall, Jr.

Scouting report: The Cougars have an extremely potent rushing attack led by Hammock and Hall, who can both run and pass. They have the ability to rush for 400 yards as a team on any given Friday. The win over Brentwood a few weeks back has shown that Piedmont can play with anybody in AA.

First-round matchup: vs. Valwood