Six northeast Georgia area teams are still left in the Georgia High School Association playoffs. All have compelling storylines coming into Friday's quarterfinal-round showdowns.
But there are three games in particular have caught the attention of the AccessWDUN/Friday Game Night staff, two involving first-ever matchups. A third involves a playoff rematch from 2017.
A pair of Teams of the 21st Century, Buford and Grayson, have combined for 15 state titles since 2001 but have never met. They will this week at Grayson Community Stadium in Class 7A. The same is true for Lumpkin County and Savannah Christian. Those two ranked teams in Class 3A will face off at The Burial Grounds.
However, Rabun County once again will meet an old foe, this time Brooks County in Quitman nestled up against the Florida border. The two teams met in the 2017 playoffs in Class 2A with the Wildcats winning on the way to their first-ever championship game appearance.
So, what does the crew think of each of these individual matchups? Bo Wilson, Caleb Hutchins, Walker McCrary, and Jeff Hart offer their thoughts this week:
Class 7A 3rd round
Buford at Grayson
The Wolves (11-1) are back in the Elite 8 after missing out last season. The Rams (10-2) were the Region 4-7A champion. Buford nearly let an 18-point second half lead (28-10) evaporate last week in a 28-25 win over Norcross. Grayson had little trouble with North Paulding in a 42-14 romp.
The marquee matchup in this one will be the Grayson offense, which is 4th in 7A (482, 40.1 ppg) against the Buford defense. The Wolves lead 7A, allowing just 94 points (7.83 ppg) on the season. Rams’ QB Jeff Davis has thrown for 2,606 yards and 32 TDs with just 1 INT on the season. The Wolves have picked off 15 passes this season as a unit.
However, the Buford offense could be the key. The Wolves have scored 262 points over their past 5 games (52.4 ppg) while the Grayson defense is allowing 21 points/game in the playoffs. However, most of the Wolves’ offense has come in the passing game.
QUESTIONS: Buford QB Dylan Raiola and the passing game have exploded over the last half of the season. But can the Wolves get a road win against one of perennial playoff powers in 7A without a consistent ground game?
Or will this come down to the Buford defense limiting the Rams, who have averaged 38 ppg in the playoffs?
JEFF HART: “Yes, the Wolves passing game has really taken flight over the past six weeks, and they’ll need Raiola and Company to bring their A-game. But they need to establish some kind of a running game to keep the Rams defense from turning them one-dimensional. In Class 7A, balance is necessary, or at least just enough, against 7A defenses to have success. But the biggest key may be the Buford defense. Last week, they nearly let an 18-point lead slip away against a mediocre Norcross offense. The Rams have balance on offense and have shown they can score against anyone. If the Wolves can force a turnover or two, that could be the edge they need to get another road win. If they can’t, their desire to get a state title in all seven classifications could come to an end.”
CALEB HUTCHINS: "I think Buford and Grayson will both see levels of defense from their opponent this week that they haven't seen in a while. I believe the Buford defense will be the key, because despite the big numbers being put up by Raiola and company, their struggles on the ground could rear their ugly head if they're forced into a shootout. However, I think the Buford defense is likely to win the day. Their combination of elite pass rushers and extreme athleticism in the secondary make it a very difficult team to throw the ball effectively against. The Rams will need to stay balanced and ahead of the chains to score points. I believe this will be the best matchup of the night.
WALKER McCRARY: “If their defense gets one or two stops, they can get a win against anyone. This offense is SCARY good. The ways that Raiola can move the ball down the field with any number of different players forces defenses into a situation where they can't key on any one particular receiver. Yes, the ability to run the ball is important, but even if the Wolves don't find much success, their ability to score at any given moment through the air against anyone tells me that Buford is hitting their stride at the right time. Again, I think that if they can get one or two stops, the Buford offense is going to score enough to get the win. I'm not sure that Grayson has the ability to slow Raiola and company down consistently. The only loss on the Wolves' schedule to Mill Creek was where Buford beat Buford with dropped passes everywhere. This will be a shootout.”
BO WILSON: “I don’t want to answer this one. Why? Because I have no clue, but since you asked, I’ll try to sound like I know what I’m talking about. The Rams lost to top-10 Class 7A powers Walton and Newton earlier this year, scoring just 27 points in each of those games. If Buford is a top-2 team, toss the Rams' 52.4 ppg average out the window. This game could be a slugfest in the trenches and come down to the game's last drive. However, don’t sleep on either offense. We know they both have the potential to score. But in the end, this one comes down to defense. Defense wins championships, and the Wolves have 13 of them. This one will be an epic showdown between two powerhouse Gwinnett County programs. I’m doubling down on my pick. Go Wolves!”
Class 3A 3rd round
Savannah Christian at Lumpkin County
It figures to be an offensive showcase. The Indians have shown they can win shootouts, scoring 30 or more points in every game this season. The Raiders (10-2) are 3rd (507, 42.25 ppg) in Class 3A in scoring.
But the Raiders defense may be the best they have faced all season. Savannah Christian is 10th in defense allowing just 19.8 ppg. But they have given up 77 points (25.6 ppg) over their last three games.
After being in the top 5 in defense in 3A most of the season, Lumpkin County (12-0) has slipped to 16th. The Indians allowed just 11.7 ppg over their first seven games. They have surrendered 133 points (26.6 ppg) over their past five games.
QUESTIONS: Will this game come down to Mason Sullens (288 car., 2,000 yards, 11 100-yard games, 31 TD) and the Indians rushing attack, which is averaging over 350 yards/game?
Or does the Lumpkin defense hold the key to the Indians continuing their playoff run?
JEFF HART: “First of all, I see another shootout in the Gold City. Both offenses can score virtually at-will. I think this game absolutely hinges on Sullens and the Indians’ run game, which means the real key may be Cal Faulkner and the passing game. The Raiders are good enough on defense to slow down Sullens so Faulkner will need to open things up with the passing game and some designed QB runs. I think the pressure will be on both defenses to produce one stop or a turnover. Whichever defense can flip a possession could hand their team the keys to the semifinals.
CALEB HUTCHINS: "This one is all about the Lumpkin County running game to me. Nobody has stopped it this season, so we really don't know what happens to this football team if it is stopped. We've seen Cal Faulkner do some special things through the air at critical moments this year, but almost none of those have come in situations where the Indians were throwing the ball because they had to. If Mason Sullens can't get things going between the tackles, it could allow that athletic Savannah Christian defensive line to pin their ears back and create some pass rush against Faulkner. And it would really put the pressure on the Lumpkin County defense. I think we're about to see another high-scoring battle in Dahlonega.
WALKER McCRARY: “For Lumpkin County, it's always going to come down to the rushing attack. What the Indians do on offense is all based around their ability to run the football. Most of the passing success comes from opposing defenses selling out to stop the run game of Sullens and Cal Faulkner. I mean, there is a reason they were named (Region) 7-3A Offensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year, respectively. For the Indians to host the semifinal round next week, Sullens and Faulkner have to have some success on the ground. I don't think the defense holds the key solely. Let me explain. The defense is going to have to make plays. Arguably the two biggest plays in last week's win over Oconee County were defensive stops. For me, this game boils down to who makes the fewest mistakes. This is a weird week of preparation for both teams. No school, Thanksgiving meals, potentially weird practice times. They all make this week much different than any regular season week and the first two rounds. Whichever team comes out and makes the fewest mistakes and penalties will have the upper hand. This means the Lumpkin defense needs to be looking for chances to be opportunistic and force some mistakes from the Raiders, and the Lumpkin offense has to be solid and keep their poise.”
BO WILSON: “Savannah Christian is fast and athletic and loves to run the ball. I think this game comes down to defense for the Indians. They were able to withstand the rush of Oconee County last week. Can they do it again this week against a team with two outstanding backs that can scoot? Containing the edge will be crucial for the Indians’ defense this week, and they can’t sleep on the Raiders’ passing game. They can throw when needed. As for the Indians' offense, they will have their hands full against a Raider defense that has forced 26 turnovers – 16 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. They’ve also racked up 41 sacks. They’ll key on quarterback Cal Faulkner, and you better believe they’ll have all eyes on running back Mason Sullens, who leads Class 3A in rushing. The Indians must play their best game all year to get past the Raiders, but I think they can.”
Class A Division 1 3rd round
Rabun County at Brooks County
Brooks County was the 2021 Class A Public state champions and are back into their 11th quarterfinals since 2008. The Wildcats have advanced to the Elite 8 for a 9th straight season. Brooks has won 6 straight. All 5 of the Trojans losses were to higher classification teams that made the playoffs. After averaging just 18.6 ppg during the regular season, Brooks is averaging 39.0 ppg in the playoffs. Rabun County has allowed just 14.0 ppg in the playoffs.
However, the Rabun County offense is averaging 34.08 ppg. They have picked it up in the playoffs scoring 91 points in the first two rounds. The Trojans are giving up just 18.0 ppg and just 33 total points during their win streak (5.5 ppg) and none have scored more than 7 in that span.
QUESTIONS: The Wildcats have struggled over the years with fast, athletic south Georgia teams at this point in the playoffs. Can the Rabun defense slow down a Trojans offense that has found its groove?
Or, is the offense, behind Ty Truelove and Willie Goodwyn, the key in being able to put some early pressure on the Trojans?
JEFF HART: While I agree the Wildcats’ Achilles heel has been speedy south Georgia teams, this Brooks County team is not the same makeup as the one that won the 2021 Class A Public state title. The win streak for the Trojans came against the bottom of Region 1 and they have not faced an offense as good as Rabun County. The Wildcats defense may be the most underrated unit left in the Class A D1 playoffs and have shown they can hold down good offenses. If Truelove, Goodwyn and the Wildcats passing game can get a rhythm going, they should be able advance to just their second-ever semifinal.
CALEB HUTCHINS: "Rabun County has been playing the role of the underdog this postseason, which is not one we're used to seeing them in. So far the results have been great. I was very impressed with the Wildcats' defense against an option attack at Commerce that has the ability to bash you in the middle with Tysean Wiggins or blow by you on the perimeter with Jaiden Daniels. Commerce only scored 17 on Rabun County in regulation. If the Wildcats can handle the long bus ride and bring that kind of defensive performance down to Quitman, anything is possible. While Ty Truelove and the offense have been good, I'm not sure they're ready to get into a full-blown shootout on the road with the pressure of a game this deep in the postseason on them. Rabun County's defense is the unit to watch to me.
WALKER McCRARY: “This game feels a lot like I think most games will be this week: shootouts. I think most defenses will be a step slow this week, especially the road teams making long trips. For Rabun County, I think they just have to slow the Trojans down, not necessarily stop them time and time again. If they can force Brooks County to have to make long, methodical drives and shorten this game, the Wildcats have the ability to win their third straight on the road this season. I think Truelove, Goodwyn and company have to get going quickly. It's going to be tough getting off the bus and being ready to roll after traversing the entire state for this one, but for the Wildcats to allow their defense to settle in, the offense needs to score as much early as they can. This offense is starting to hit its stride, but the question for me is can they continue to put up points early and often as they have in the first two rounds. If they can, we might see Rabun in the semifinals against a familiar foe next week.”
BO WILSON: “But have they really found their groove? Three of Brooks County’s wins over the last four weeks have been against teams with a combined record of 10-23. Is that a groove or just winning the games you're supposed to win? Other than that, they were on the struggle bus for half the season. As for the Rabun County struggle against South Georgia teams, look back at the fast, athletic teams the Wildcats have played this year, mainly Commerce. Sure, they lost to Commerce 23-17 in overtime, but proved they can hang. Does the road trip have more to do with this game than the opponent? Maybe, but I’m sticking with my pick because Rabun County’s offense is clicking right now and will prove just how tough Northeast Georgia football is this week.”
