article contributed by football analyst Barry Every
Large Schools
There are only four GHSA-AAAAAAA schools south of the Atlanta Metroplex, and only three made the playoffs. Entering the State Quarterfinals there are two teams still alive Colquitt County and Lowndes.
Jay Saunders completed 18 of 29 passes for 357 yards and five touchdowns as the Packers crushed Brookwood for the second time this year this time 66-35.
Michael Barrett remains hot for the Vikings as he completed 16 of 21 passes for 384 yards and three scores while rushing for 138 yards and three touchdowns. For his strong effort in the Vikings 57-21 win over previously unbeaten Norcross he is again being recognized as the South Georgia Large School Player of the Week.
The Region of Doom (1-AAAAAA) took its first loss in the playoffs this past week as Lee County fell 35-22 to Mays. Moving on are Valdosta, Northside-Warner Robins and Coffee.
Glynn County is the only other GHSA-AAAAAA from South Georgia still alive in the round of eight. This past Friday they exacted revenge on Allatoona by the tune of 47-7. Last year the Red Terrors lost in the GHSA-AAAAA State Championship Game versus the Bucs’ 10-6.
Medium Schools
There are 40 teams in Medium Schools in South Georgia and none of them have won a State Championship in the last six years. Peach County won the GHSA-AAA State Championship in 2009 and Cairo won GHSA-AAA State Championship in 2008. And guess what? Cairo (11-1) is ranked #1 while Peach County (11-1) is #2 in the Medium School Poll as both teams moved onto the quarterfinals.
Ware County is the only South Georgia school left representing GHSA-AAAAA. The Gators knocked off Loganville 35-19 by racking up 301 yards on the ground.
The Syrupmakers are the lone GHSA-AAAA left south of the gnat line. DJ Donaldson picked off two passes In Cairo’s 10-7 nail biter over Sandy Creek.
In GHSA-AAA there are four teams still alive. Peach County had no problems downing North Murray 49-7, Crisp County scored with 33 seconds left in the game to edge Lovett 30-29, Liberty County doubled up Sonoraville 28-14 and Pierce County dominated Bremen 49-27.
Sophomore sensations Ahdarrious Gee and Jammie Robinson are the South Georgia Medium School Players of the Week. Gee racked up a game high 16 tackles and four TFL’s while Robinson chipped in nine tackles, two FR and one INT in the Cougars win over Lovett.
Of note: Senior signal caller Stetson “The Mailman” Bennett of Pierce County is closing in on 9,000 passing yards and 90 touchdown passes for a career. He has a legitimate shot to finish in the Top Five all-time in both categories.
Small Schools
Class A and AA have been and still are the best bet for bringing back a State Championship from the Georgia Dome.
There are only two GHSA-AA teams left but they have been ranked #1 and #2 for most of the season. Benedictine (12-0) had no problems dispatching Banks County 49-0 and Fitzgerald (11-1) ran away from Rockmart 48-21. They are on opposite sides of the GHSA-AA bracket.
Of the eight teams remaining in GHSA-A (Public) five hail from South Georgia. Moving on to the round of eight is Clinch County (10-1), Macon County (9-2), Emanuel County Institute (10-0), McIntosh County Academy (8-2) and Irwin County (8-4).
In GHSA-A (Private) the lone survivor is Calvary Day (10-0) 14-7 winners over Savannah Christian.
Senior signal caller Rhett Gay of ECI is the South Georgia Small School Player of the Week. Gay completed 12 of 16 passes for 319 yards and three scores in the Bulldogs 49-14 win over Miller County.
Of Note: Macon County senior quarterback K’hari Lane threw his first interception of the year this past week. On the season he has tossed 47 touchdown passes which ranks third all-time. He needs three more to tie Deshaun Watson for second and seven to tie Hutson mason for first all-time.
Large School’s Top 10 (AAAAAAA/AAAAAA)
1. Valdosta Wildcats (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Alan Rodemaker
Record: (11-1/4-0)
Last Game: Jaelin Temple had an interception and scooped and scored on a blocked punt in the Wildcats 35-0 win over Northgate.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Stephenson (8-4)
2. Colquitt County Packers (1-AAAAAAA)
Head Coach: Rush Propst
Record: (8-4/3-0)
Last Game: Jay Saunders completed 18 of 29 passes for 357 yards and five scores in the Packers 66-35 win over Brookwood.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Grayson (11-1)
3. Glynn Academy Red Terrors (2-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Rocky Hidalgo
Record: (11-1/4-0)
Last Game: Deejay Dallas and Kendall Cross combined for 223 rushing yards in the Red Terrors 47-7 win over Allatoona.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Northside-Warner Robins (10-2)
4. Northside-Warner Robins Eagles (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Kevin Kinsler
Record: (10-2/2-2)
Last Game: Tobias Oliver and De’Sean Dinkins combined for 39 carries and 232 yards with three scores in the Eagles 38-10 win over Langston Hughes.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Glynn Academy (11-1)
5. Lowndes Vikings (1-AAAAAAA)
Head Coach: Randy McPherson
Record: (10-2/2-1)
Last Game: Michael Barrett accounted for 522 yards and six scores in the Vikings 57-21 win over Norcross.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Westlake (9-3)
6. Coffee Trojans (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Robby Pruitt
Record: (7-5/1-3)
Last Game: Demeterius “Meaty” Davis ran for four touchdowns and Y’Darius Baker had a pick six in the Trojans 42-34 win over Alexander.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Dalton (12-0)
7. Lee County Trojans (1-AAAAAA)
Head Coach: Dean Fabrizio
Record: (8-3/2-2)
Last Game: The Trojans only gained one first down and threw three picks in the second half of their 35-22 loss to Mays.
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. Cairo Syrupmakers (1-AAAA)
Head Coach: Steven Devoursney
Record: (11-1/7-0)
Last Game: DJ Donaldson picked off two passes in the ‘Makers 10-7 win over Sandy Creek.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Jefferson (11-1)
2. Peach County Trojans (4-AAA)
Head Coach: Chad Campbell
Record: (11-1/6-0)
Last Game: Kearis Jackson caught four passes for 70 yards and twos cores and returned a punt 60-yards for a score in the Trojans 49-7 win over North Murray.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Westminster (10-2)
3. Crisp County Cougars (1-AAA)
Head Coach: Shelton Felton
Record: (12-0/4-0)
Last Game: Jamie Robinson recorded nine tackles, two FR and an INT while Ahdarrious Gee racked up a game high 16 tackles and four TFL’s in the Cougars 30-29 win over Lovett.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Pierce County (9-3)
4. Liberty County Panthers (2-AAA)
Head Coach: Kirk Warner
Record: (11-1/5-0)
Last Game: Jaalon Frazier accounted for just over 300 yards and four touchdowns while receiver Dylan Stewart caught two touchdown passes in the Panthers 28-14 win over Sonoraville.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Greater Atlanta Christian (11-1)
5. Ware County Gators (2-AAAAA)
Head Coach: Franklin Stephens
Record: (8-3/4-0)
Last Game: The Gators outrushed Loganville 301 to 89 yards in their 35-19 victory.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Rome (10-2)
6. Pierce County Bears (2-AAA)
Head Coach: Sean Pender
Record: (9-3/4-1)
Last Game: Stetson “The Mailman” Bennett accounted for 340 yards and four scores while all-purpose back Shyheim Clark ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns in the Bears 49-27 win over Bremen.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Crisp County (12-0)
7. Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets (1-AAAAA)
Head Coach: Bill Shaver
Record: (8-4/3-1)
Last Game: Down several key players, including star quarterback Kelias Williams, the Yellow Jackets fell 41-14 to Carrollton.
Next Game: Season Complete
8. Jenkins Warriors (3-AAA)
Head Coach: Tim Adams
Record: (10-2/7-0)
Last Game: The Warriors rendered 354 yards rushing in their 28-3 loss to Cedar Grove.
Next Game: Season Complete
9. Savannah Blue Jackets (3-AAA)
Head Coach: Tony Welch
Record: (9-3/6-1)
Last Game: The Blue Jackets could not recover from first quarter 17-0 deficit, falling 45-21 to Westminster.
Next Game: Season Complete
10. Worth County Rams (1-AAA)
Head Coach: Jason Tone
Record: (7-5/3-1)
Last Game: The Rams were only down three points at the half but Stanford commit Davis Mills tallied two quick third quarter scores and Worth County fell 34-21.
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: (12-0/7-0)
Last Game: John Wesley Kennedy, III returned two punts for scores and caught a touchdown pass in the Cadets 49-0 win over Banks County.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Pepperell (10-1-1)
2. Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane (1-AA)
Head Coach: Jason Strickland
Record: (11-1/5-0)
Last Game: After giving up a scoring drive on Rockmart’s first possession the Hurricane ran off 27 unanswered points on their way to a 48-21 victory.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Rabun County (11-0)
3. Clinch County Panthers (2-A)
Head Coach: Jim Dickerson
Record: (10-1/7-0)
Last Game: Trezman Marshall accounted for 149 yards and three scores while recording nine tackles, two TFL’s and one PBU in the Panthers 54-12 win over Mitchell County.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Commerce (9-2)
4. Calvary Day Cavaliers (3-A Div. A)
Head Coach: Rick Tomberlin
Record: (10-0/5-0)
Last Game: Alan Gibbs kicked a 37-yard game winning field goal in the fourth quarter and the Cavalier defense only gave up 120 total yards in their 10-7 win over Savannah Christian.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Tattnall Square (11-0)
5. Emanuel County Institute Bulldogs (3-A Div. B)
Head Coach: Chris Kearson
Record: (10-0/5-0)
Last Game: Rhett Gay was 12 of 16 for 319 yards and three scores in the Bulldogs 49-14 win over Miller County.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Irwin County (8-4)
6. Macon County Bulldogs (4-A Div. B)
Head Coach: Dexter Copeland
Record: (9-2/5-0)
Last Game: The Bulldogs came back from a 24-6 halftime deficit to beat Turner County 47-37 as K’Hari Lane accounted for 321 yards and four scores.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Manchester (10-1)
7. Vidalia Indians (2-AA)
Head Coach: Lee Chomskis
Record: (9-3/6-1)
Last Game: The Indians were outscored 28-0 in the second half of their 42-7 loss to Rabun County.
Next Game: Season Complete
8. McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers (3-A Div. A)
Head Coach: Robby Robinson
Record: (8-2/4-1)
Last Game: Major Robinson Completed 11 of 19 passes for 195 yards and two scores in the Bucs’ 14-7 win over Lincoln County.
Next Game: 11/25 vs. Greene County (9-3)
9. Irwin County Indians (2-A)
Head Coach: Buddy Nobles
Record: (8-4/5-2)
Last Game: Down 10-7 at the half the Indians outscored Mt. Zion 27-7 in the second half to win 34-17.
Next Game: 11/25 @ Emanuel County Institute (10-0)
10. Pelham Hornets (1-A)
Head Coach: Dondrial Pinkins
Record: (9-2/8-1)
Last Game: The Hornet defense gave up touchdowns on every Greene County drive but two in their 55-40 loss.
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)
Note: Special thanks go out to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association (ghsfha.org)
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