Football: Class AAAA 2nd round playoff previews
Class AAAA
Rockdale County (8-3) at Hiram (11-0): The Bulldogs have won seven games in a row and the eight wins are the most since the team went 10-2 in 1999. Hiram had its first undefeated regular season in the 10-year history of the program. But it hasn’t been easy – the Hornets have won their past four games by a total of 20 points.
Richmond Academy (8-3) at Thomas County Central (10-2): The Yellow Jackets have relied on their defense this season, holding eight opponents to eight points or less. The Jackets also will have tradition on their side, as the team is participating in the postseason for the fifth straight year and for the 18th time in the past 19 seasons. Richmond is trying to recapture the success it enjoyed from the 1950s through the ‘70s. The Musketeers had back-to-back playoff seasons for the first time since 1993-94.
Tucker (9-2) at Sandy Creek (10-1): The defending state champion Tigers have a running back-by-committee offense that averages about 280 yards rushing per game. The Tigers are averaging 38 points over the past two games after being held to seven points total in the two previous contests. Sandy Creek enters the game on a 10-game winning streak and has been challenged only once during that span.
Westside Macon (10-1) at Lakeside Evans (10-1): Special teams could play a big role here as both teams have dominated on defense. Lakeside has seven shutouts, including four in a row, and only two teams have scored in double digits against them. Westside has three shutouts and has held eight opponents to seven pints or less. Ironically, the Seminoles marquee player in on offense – wide receiver Ronald Carswell has committed to Alabama.
Clarke Central (9-2) at Southwest DeKalb (10-1): Among all of the Panthers’ weapons, Marques Dixon is the wild card. He has returned three kickoffs, a punt and an interception for touchdowns. Toran Davis, who is the backup running back to Georgia commit Ken Malcome, has returned a blocked field goal and an interception for scores. This is the sixth playoff game between the two schools, but the first since 1995, with the Gladiators holding a 4-1 edge.
Ware County (6-5) at Griffin (11-0): Another game that could be a defensive struggle. Before last week’s 18-14 win over Evans, the Gatos had allowed only 16 points in the past five games. Griffin has four shutouts and has held nine opponents to seven points or less.
North Clayton (9-2) at Brunswick (8-3): The Eagles rebounded nicely last week after a one-point loss to Dutchtown in the regular season finale. Offensive lineman Torian Box, a North Carolina State commit, will try to help the Eagles stave off a Brunswick defense that has allowed an average of nine points over the past five games.
Marist (9-2) at Apalachee (11-0): Both offenses rely on the running game, with the Wildcats sporting 1,000-yard rusher Jon Lee who has 13 touchdowns. The War Eagles run out of the wishbone and are led by fullback Matt Connors.
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