Playoff guide: Middle GA high school football teams prepare for next round
Last week, more than 20 Middle Georgia schools stepped on the field in the first round of the GHSA state playoffs, all with the goal of advancing one step closer to a state title.
Friday night, the second round will begin, with fewer than 10 local schools still standing with 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 opening round of the GHSA playoffs:
Three matchups to watch
Warner Robins at Cartersville
In a rematch of last year’s 5A state title game, Warner Robins will travel to Cartersville. The home-field advantage could play a key role in the outcome of this game. But few teams in Georgia have as much experience as the Demons do under the bright lights.
The seniors on this team have been in more than 15 playoff games during their time at Warner Robins. Despite missing their starting running back Malcolm Brown in the first round of the state playoffs, the Demons ran all over Jonesboro to advance to this game. A win for Warner Robins could put them in the driver’s seat to reach the state title game again.
Bleckley County vs Callaway
The Royals nearly suffered a first-round exit at the hands of an upset-minded Early County team. It will be important for Bleckley County to put that game behind them with a tough Callaway squad coming to town.
Callaway is the defending champs in 2A and will be a tough out. Callaway could smell blood in the water after seeing the Royals need a fourth-quarter comeback to survive. Bleckley County is favored in this matchup and will likely be locked in after the first-round scare.
Perry vs Flowery Branch
This might be the hottest team in Middle Georgia at the moment. The Panthers have allowed just 20 points over their last five games. Perry’s run landed them the No. 1 seed and home field advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Last week, the Panthers won 31-12 over Hardaway.
Flowery Branch is a run-first team and will likely look to chew clock to keep the ball from a potent Perry offense. Perry has won six straight games while Flowery Branch has won five straight. One streak will come to an end on Friday.
5 players to watch
Daequan Wright, Perry WR: Wright has been the playmaker for the Panthers all season and is the key to them making a deep run in the playoffs. They line him up all over the field and get creative to get the ball in his hands. In the first round, Wright rushed for a pair of touchdowns. Look for him to be featured in this week’s game as well.
Jafredrick Perry, Warner Robins RB: With Malcolm Brown out of the lineup, Perry stepped into his role against Jonesboro as the lead back. He scored four touchdowns and ran for more than 100 yards. In round two against Cartersville, he will likely need to carry a similar load for them to win and advance. Perry has been making big plays since Week 1 when he returned a punt to swing momentum in the Demon’s favor. His ability to ignite the team with energy is a big part of why this team could end up in the state title game once again.
Jahvon Butler, Bleckley County RB: The Royals offense was stagnant for much of the opening round game against Early County. Butler finished with nearly 100 yards rushing and scored a pair of key touchdowns. He is a significant part of what Bleckley County does on the offensive side of the ball. In order to continue this historic season, the Royals may very well need him to be historically good throughout the rest of the playoffs or at least continue to find the end zone like he has all season.
Zavion Hardy, Tattnall DE: This week Tattnall takes on a Darlington team that put up 42 points against its opening-round opponent Hebron Christian.
Hardy is an elite defensive talent and will need to help slow down the offensive attack of Darlington in order for the Trojans to stay in this game.
Hardy’s impact doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet as teams scheme to avoid him. But it opens up opportunities for his teammates to make big plays.
Zion Ragins, Jones County WR: Ragins is the type of play that only needs to touch the ball one time to break a game wide open. He is arguably the fastest player in Georgia and it may not even be an argument at this point. The sophomore can take a screen pass or 10-yard slant route and turn it into a 65-yard touchdown in an instance. Ragins ability to change the game with his speed is one of the reasons the Greyhounds are such a dangerous team. They have a good defense, an experienced quarterback and a set of playmakers headed up by Ragins. It one of the most well-rounded teams in Middle Georgia.
Schedule
6A
- Northside vs Douglas County
5A
- Warner Robins at Cartersville
- Jones County vs Eastside
4A
- Perry vs Flowery Branch
3A
- Peach County at Monroe Area
2A
- Bleckley County vs Callaway
- Northeast at Haralson County
1A Private
- FPD vs Mount Vernon
- Tattnall at Darlington