submitted by site contributor Barry Every
Large Schools
Jayce Rogers Valdosta
Only two teams are left heading into the GHSA Semifinals, both are from the Region of Doom (1-AAAAAA). Valdosta (12-1) knocked off Stephenson 31-21 and will now hit the road to take on Dalton (13-1). Northside-Warner Robins (11-2) forced four turnovers in their 42-20 win over Glynn Academy and will visit Tucker (12-1).
Seasons came to an end for Colquitt County (8-5), Glynn Academy (11-2) and Coffee (7-6). The Packers were beaten 49-21 by Grayson and the Trojans came up short at Dalton 30-28.
Senior signal caller Tobias Oliver ran for 101 yards and two scores while completing 10 of 11 passes for 107 yards in the Eagles quarterfinal win over Glynn Academy. For his effort Oliver is this week’s Large School Player of the Week.
Medium Schools
Jammie Robinson Crisp Co.
With Cairo (11-2) and Ware County (8-4) falling to the loss column there are no AAAA or AAAAA teams left in the State Playoffs from South Georgia. In GHSA-AAA both Liberty County (11-2) and Pierce County (9-4) were knocked out of the playoffs.
Moving on are Peach County (12-1) and Crisp County (13-0). The Trojans knocked off Westminster 27-17 while the Cougars ran all over Pierce County by the tune of 56-21.
Peach County will now host Greater Atlanta Christian (12-1) while Crisp County plays host to Cedar Grove (11-2).
Jammie Robinson and Antonio Gilbert are the Medium School Players of the Week. Robinson carried the ball 18 times for 175 yards and three scores while recording nine tackles on defense. Gilbert completed 14 of 17 passes for 272 yards and two scores while also rushing for two touchdowns.
Small Schools
Small schools are definitely the best bet for South Georgia claiming State Titles.
James Graham Fitzgerald
Both Benedictine (13-0) and Fitzgerald (12-1) moved onto the GHSA-AA Semifinals. The Cadets crushed Pepperell 51-13 while the Canes knocked off previously unbeaten Rabun County 35-16. This Friday night Benedictine is being paid a visit by unbeaten Callaway (13-0) and Fitzgerald plays host to Hapeville Charter (10-3).
It’s an All-South Georgia Semifinal in GHSA-A (Public). Moving on were Clinch County (11-1), ECI (11-0), Macon County (10-2) and McIntosh County Academy (9-2).
The Panthers had no problems dispatching Commerce 44-0. The Bulldogs avenged last year’s playoff exit with a 44-25 win over Irwin County. Macon County beat Manchester for the second time this year, this time 28-14 and the Bucs took down Greene County 39-22.
Macon County will now host ECI while Clinch County takes on McIntosh County Academy for the second time this year.
Calvary Day was the lone GHSA-A (Private) team left but unfortunately they couldn’t turn massive rushing yards into points in their 28-14 loss to Tattnall Square.
This week we have a hat trick of Small School Players of the Week. Tyleek Collins of Benedictine ran for 122 yards and two scores while returning a punt and a kickoff for scores.
Fitzgerald’s James Graham ran the ball 17 times for 128 yards and one score while completing six of 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Finally McIntosh County Academy junior JP Palmer carried the ball 15 times for 233 yards and four touchdowns.
Of note senior signal caller K’hari Lane of Macon County threw three more touchdown passes giving him 50 for the season versus a lone interception. He is now tied for second on the all-time list for touchdown passes in a season with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. Lane needs four more TD-tosses to tie record holder Hutson Mason. Macon County junior wide out Trey Brown has now caught a whopping 21 touchdown passes this season.
Large School’s Top 10 (AAAAAAA/AAAAAA)
1. Valdosta Wildcats (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Alan Rodemaker
Record: (12-1/4-0)
Last Game: Jayce Rogers had a scoop and score and threw a touchdown pass in the Wildcats 31-21 win over Stephenson.
Next Game: 12/2 @ Dalton (13-0)
2. Northside-Warner Robins Eagles (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Kevin Kinsler
Record: (11-2/2-2)
Last Game: Tobias Oliver accounted for 208 yards and two scores in the Eagles 42-20 win over Glynn Academy.
Next Game: 12/2 @ Tucker (12-1)
3. Colquitt County Packers (1-AAAAAAA)
Head Coach: Rush Propst
Record: (8-5/3-0)
Last Game: The Packers only managed 31 rushing yards in their 49-21 season ending loss to Grayson.
Next Game: Season Complete
4. Glynn Academy Red Terrors (2-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Rocky Hidalgo
Record: (11-2/4-0)
Last Game: Despite a 4-7 to 294 yardage advantage four turnovers doomed the Red Terrors in their 42-20 loss to Northside-Warner Robins.
Next Game: Season Complete
5. Lowndes Vikings (1-AAAAAAA)
Head Coach: Randy McPherson
Record: (10-3/2-1)
Last Game: Westlake hit a 32-yard field goal with less than a minute to play to knock off Lowndes 24-21.
Next Game: Season Complete
6. Coffee Trojans (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Robby Pruitt
Record: (7-6/1-3)
Last Game: The Trojans made a furious fourth quarter comeback after being down 30-7 to Dalton, but a missed two point try and a last second interception by the Catamounts sealed the game.
Next Game: Season Complete
7. Lee County Trojans (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Dean Fabrizio
Record: (8-3/2-2)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
8. Tift County Blue Devils (1-AAAAAAA)
Head Coach: Ashley Anders
Record: (6-5/1-2)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
9. Houston County Bears (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Von Lassiter
Record: (7-3/1-3)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
10. Effingham County Rebels (2-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Buddy Holder
Record: (7-4/3-1)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
Just Outside: Brunswick (5-5), Richmond Hill (6-4)
Medium School’s Top 10 (AAAAA/AAAA/AAA)
1. Peach County Trojans (4-AAA)
Head Coach: Chad Campbell
Record: (12-1/6-0)
Last Game: Antonio Gilbert accounted for 292 yards and four touchdowns in the Trojans 27-17 win over Westminster.
Next Game: 12/2 vs. Greater Atlanta Christian (12-1)
2. Crisp County Cougars (1-AAA)
Head Coach: Shelton Felton
Record: (13-0/4-0)
Last Game: Sophomore Jammie Robinson ran for 175 yards and three scores while racking up nine tackles on defense to help give the Cougars a 56-21 win over Pierce County. Junior Quay Walker added 11 tackles, two sacks, four QBH’s, one PBU and one FR.
Next Game: 12/2 vs. Cedar Grove (11-2)
3. Cairo Syrupmakers (1-AAAA)
Head Coach: Steven Devoursney
Record: (11-2/7-0)
Last Game: Jefferson scored a touchdown with just 17 seconds left on the clock to knock off the Syrupmakers 17-13.
Next Game: Season Complete
4. Liberty County Panthers (2-AAA)
Head Coach: Kirk Warner
Record: (11-2/5-0)
Last Game: The Panthers failed to score in the third overtime in their 44-38 loss to Greater Atlanta Christian.
Next Game: Season Complete
5. Ware County Gators (2-AAAAA)
Head Coach: Franklin Stephens
Record: (8-4/4-0)
Last Game: After scoring first the Gators gave up 28 unanswered points in their 42-13 loss to Rome.
Next Game: Season Complete
6. Pierce County Bears (2-AAA)
Head Coach: Sean Pender
Record: (9-4/4-1)
Last Game: The Bears gave up 306 yards on the ground in their 56-21 loss to Crisp County.
Next Game: Season Complete
7. Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets (1-AAAAA)
Head Coach: Bill Shaver
Record: (8-4/3-1)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
8. Jenkins Warriors (3-AAA)
Head Coach: Tim Adams
Record: (10-2/7-0)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
9 Savannah Blue Jackets (3-AAA)
Head Coach: Tony Welch
Record: (9-3/6-1)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
10. Worth County Rams (1-AAA)
Head Coach: Jason Tone
Record: (7-5/3-1)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
Just Outside: Bainbridge (5-6), Brantley County (6-4), Carver (7-5), West Laurens (7-5)
Small School’s Top 10 (AA/A)
1. Benedictine Cadets (2-AA)
Head Coach: Danny Britt
Record: (13-0/7-0)
Last Game: Tyleek Collins ran for 122 yards and two scores while also returning a punt and a kickoff for scores in the Cadets 51-13 win over Pepperell.
Next Game: 12/2 vs. Callaway (13-0)
2. Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane (1-AA)
Head Coach: Jason Strickland
Record: (12-1/5-0)
Last Game: James Graham accounted for 381 yards and three scores in the Canes 35-16 win over Rabun County.
Next Game: 12/2 vs. Hapeville Charter (10-3)
3. Clinch County Panthers (2-A)
Head Coach: Jim Dickerson
Record: (11-1/7-0)
Last Game: Octavius Morris and Colten Manac each returned fumbles for scores in the Panthers 44-0 win over Commerce.
Next Game: 12/2 vs. McIntosh County Academy (9-2)
4. Emanuel County Institute Bulldogs (3-A Div. B)
Head Coach: Chris Kearson
Record: (11-0/5-0)
Last Game: Rhett Gay was 12 of 17 for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs 44-25 win over Irwin County.
Next Game: 12/2 @ Macon County (10-2)
5. Macon County Bulldogs (4-A Div. B)
Head Coach: Dexter Copeland
Record: (10-2/5-0)
Last Game: K’hari Lane threw three first half touchdown passes to Trey Brown to help guide the Bulldogs to a 28-14 win over Manchester.
Next Game: 12/2 vs. Emanuel County Institute (11-0)
6. Calvary Day Cavaliers (3-A Div. A)
Head Coach: Rick Tomberlin
Record: (10-1/5-0)
Last Game: Despite 281 yards rushing the Cavaliers only managed two scores in their 28-14 loss to Tattnall Square.
Next Game: Season Complete
7. McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers (3-A Div. A)
Head Coach: Robby Robinson
Record: (9-2/4-1)
Last Game: JP Palmer carried the ball 15 times for 233 yards and four scores in the Bucs’ 39-22 win over Greene County.
Next Game: 12/2 @ Clinch County (11-1)
8. Vidalia Indians (2-AA)
Head Coach: Lee Chomskis
Record: (9-3/6-1)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
9. Irwin County Indians (2-A)
Head Coach: Buddy Nobles
Record: (8-5/5-2)
Last Game: The Indians rendered 426 total yards to ECI in their 44-25 season ending loss.
Next Game: Season Complete
10. Pelham Hornets (1-A)
Head Coach: Dondrial Pinkins
Record: (9-2/8-1)
Last Game: Season Complete
Next Game: Season Complete
Just Outside: Dublin (8-3), Miller County (9-3), Mitchell County (9-3), Savannah Christian (7-4), Taylor County (10-2), Thomasville (5-5), Turner County (8-4)
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Note: Special thanks go out to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association (ghsfha.org
