High school football playoff guide: Local teams meet in quarterfinals, more key matchups
There are seven Middle Georgia left in the GHSA state playoffs after the conclusion of the second round. Those remaining teams know they are just three wins away from a state title.
Friday night, the quarterfinals begin. Those seven all have hopes of reaching one of the title games scheduled from Dec. 9-11 at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Here is a look at some of the key matchups, players and schedule for the third round of the GHSA playoffs:
Two games to watch
Warner Robins at Jones County
The Demons and Greyhounds last met in the playoffs a season ago in the semifinals with a shot at the state title on the line. Friday, the stakes are high again: The winner moves onto the semifinals.
Jones County will host the game and this could provide them with a slight advantage. But this feels like a game where the seeding and home-field advantage don’t mean as much.
Warner Robins is on a mission since losing their star running back Malcolm Brown to a broken leg. The Demons should be favored coming into this one but don’t count out a dangerous Jones County team.
Northside at Langston Hughes
The Eagles have cruised in the first two rounds of the playoffs. This team feels like the Northside team that made a run in 2018: A team that wasn’t expected to make a ton of noise in the playoffs but once they got in they were able to put it together at the right time. The Eagles are just two wins away from reaching the state title game for the first time since 2018.
But they have to get by higher seed in Langston Hughes on Friday night, who haven’t lost since opening night of the season.
Langston Hughes are winners of 11 straight and have shown no signs of slowing down. Northside will need to pull off an upset to advance.
3 players to watch
Javious Bond, Jones County RB: The passing game is a big part of why Jones County has been able to go on such a deep run. John Alan Richter and Zion Ragins is a dangerous combo when it comes to quarterbacks and wide receivers working in tandem. But Bond rushed for more than 200 yards against Eastside. His ability to run the football forces teams to put defenders in the box to try to slow him down. It truly is a pick your poison offense when it comes to Jones County. Look for Bond to make a big impact in this game if the Greyhounds can find a way to beat the defending state champions.
Victor Burley, Warner Robins DE: Burley impacts the game in a variety of ways. He is just excellent at making tackles or getting to the quarterback, he is excellent at everything. He can clog the middle for his teammates to make plays. He has the ability to drop into coverage. His versatility is why he is one of the most sought after recruits in the state of Georgia for the class of 2023. He will need to have a big game against John Alan Richter and the Greyhounds offense.
Johnny Williams IV, Northeast OL: He is one of the top-ranked recruits in the state for a reason. Williams is just a junior but already turning heads at the college level. He sets the tone for this offense up front and is a big part of why the Raiders are in the Elite 8. If he and the rest of the offensive line can create time for quarterback Travion Solomon to make magic happen, this team could be on the way to a state title appearance.
Schedule
6A
Northside at Hughes
5A
Warner Robins at Jones County
4A
Perry vs Cedartown
3A
Peach County at Pierce County
2A
Northeast at Swainsboro
1A Private
FPD vs Prince Avenue Christian
This story was originally published November 25, 2021 at 7:00 AM.