Class AAAAAA
The Houston Co Bears enter the quarterfinals following a 38-22 road-win over South Paulding in the second round. The team is currently 7-5 overall in 2019. The Bears have one of their most difficult games of the season coming up as they travel to Marietta to take on the undefeated Harrison Hoyas this Friday Night. Harrison is a heavy favorite in this matchup, but they can’t come in and sleep-walk through Houston. The Bears have a solid team and shouldn’t be underestimated. If Houston’s offense is on their A-game, they can work wonders on the gridiron. The Bears will have to bring everything they’ve got to go toe-to-toe with Harrison. Should they win and advance to the semifinals, Houston will next face either Lee Co or Dacula.
Class AAAAA
The Warner Robins Demons are coming off a big 25-17 home win over Rome in the second round, making them now 11-1 overall in 2019. WR will be hosting the Clarke Central Gladiators this upcoming Friday night. The Demons are favored to win this matchup. Clarke Central is a team that can put up a lot of points on offense but loses just as many on D. Should WR advance to the semifinals, they will next face either Dutchtown or Starr’s Mills. The Demons would be the slight favorites against either of these teams and have a good shot at winning it all for 5A.
The Jones Co Greyhounds come into week three following a 17-6 home win over Cedar Shoals and are 11-1 so far in 2019. The Greyhounds will be hosting the Griffin Bears this Friday night. Jones Co is the slight favorite to win this matchup. Griffin has a higher points-per-game percentage but faced much easier competition in region play this season. Griffin will make for a challenging opponent but the Greyhounds should come out on top. Should Jones Co advance to the semifinals, they will next face either Carrolton or Buford. Jones Co has a decent shot at winning it all but it will be an uphill climb.
Class AAAA
The West Laurens Raiders enter the quarterfinals following a 34-17 home win over North Oconee in the second round. The team is 11-1 as of now. The Raiders lost the coin flip and will be traveling to Roswell to take on the Blessed Trinity Titans this Friday night. Blessed Trinity had a harder 2019 schedule in region-play and is favored to win this matchup. However, if WL advances they will next play either Woodward Academy or Cartersville. The Raiders will likely be underdogs in either of those matchups. The team has a hard road to the finals, and it’s quite possible they’ll be eliminated this round.
Class AAA
The Peach County Trojans are coming off a 35-0 shutdown home win over Calhoun in the second round and are currently 11-1 overall. Since Peach Co lost the coin flip, they will be traveling to De Kalb County to take on the Cedar Grove Saints in a big matchup this Friday night. It’ll be a battle between the #1 and #2 team in 3A and should make for a great game. Should Peach advance to the semifinals, they will next play either Pierce Co or Greater ATL Christian, a team that defeated Peach in the 2016 semifinals and lost to them in the semifinals the following year. Peach Co is hungry for a championship and seems to be on a mission to win it all.
For more info on Peach vs Cedar Grove, read our Game of the Week!
The Crisp Co Cougars enter week three following a 41-3 blowout win over North Hall in the second round. The team is currently 9-3 overall in 2019. Since the Cougars won the coin flip, they will be hosting the Jefferson Dragons this Friday night. Crisp is the slight favorite to win but this is a game that could easily go either way. Both teams are solid and have similar scoring averages. If the Cougars advance to the semifinals, they will next take on either Jenkins or North Murray. Crisp Co has a chance at winning it all, but it will be a difficult task to accomplish.
Class AA
The Dublin Fighting Irish enter the quarterfinals following a 45-26 home win over Bremen in the second round. The team is now 11-1 overall in 2019. The Irish won the coin toss and will be hosting the Hapeville Charter Hornets this Friday. Hapeville is slightly favored to win, but this is a game that could easily go down to the buzzer. Both teams have impressive offenses. Hapeville may have a superior defense, but Dublin has the talent to wreak havoc on the Hornets. If the Irish advance to the semifinals, they will likely next play Rabun Co. Dublin is one of if not the favorite to win it all in AA, but they will have to play strong and execute if they want to stay alive.
Author’s Note: Big thanks to Cole Powell, our stats-man, for helping compile this overview!