As was discussed on Saturday in the quarterfinals recap, we are down to four teams. Unranked Fitzgerald will play at No. 3 Heard County, and No. 4 Callaway will play at No. 2 Rockmart.
Looking ahead to the championship game, it’s going to take a 28-3-type collapse on the part of Atlanta United for the GHSA championships not be postponed for the second year in a row. On Sunday, United beat New York 3-0, which means United would have to lose 3-0 or, if United scores a goal, lose by four goals or more to not advance to — and host at Mercedes-Benz — the MLS Cup, which falls on the same date as Day 2 of the GHSA championships, also scheduled to be played at The Benz.
(READ: Atlanta United victory threatens to postpone football championship games)
Last year, the championship games were moved — thanks to weather — to the home field of one of the teams, with the venue determined by a coin flip. This outraged schools and fans, who were denied a chance to have the game played at The Benz.
This year, GHSA officials were determined that, no matter what, this year’s championships would be played at The Benz. With Atlanta United now likely occupying the stadium for the MLS Cup, contingency plans now call for the games to be played the following Tuesday and Wednesday, instead of Friday and Saturday. Now that plan has created outrage.
It seems the GHSA isn't going to win, regardless of the decision. For those wondering, no, the championship games could not have been moved to the next weekend because The Benz hosts the 2018 Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 15. So what was the GHSA to do? There are times when criticism of the GHSA is due, but this case isn't one of them. If the option is a weekday championship game at The Benz, or a Friday championship at an alternate venue, then you take the option that allows teams to pay at The Benz. Period. End of story.
As for the Class AA tournament, let’s take a look at the bracket:
It’s hard not to think the winner of the Rockmart-Callaway game won’t be the favorite to win it all. However, Fitzgerald has played like a ranked team all year long. Yes, they have three losses, but all were to ranked teams — 16-10 to A-public’s No. 2; 28-9 to No. 6 Dodge County; 28-27 to No. 7 Brooks County. They’re in the semifinals for the third time in four seasons, and Heard County is back for the second year in a row.
The Callaway-Rockmart game will be a battle of two of AA’s top teams. Both have powerful offenses and stout defenses and both teams have won their first three playoff games by double digits.
My predictions were blown up last week, so I'm obviously no authority or expert on the matter but if I had to pick, I'd go with Fitzgerald vs. Rockmart in the title game.
Correction: A previous version of this story had Dyquan Bloodshaw playing for Rockmart. He plays for Washington County.
In brief:
- Here are some interesting facts about the Callaway vs. Rockmart matchup.
- Thomasville's Jashawn Thornton is the latest AA player to be invited to the GACA Football All-Star Classic.
- The Rockmart offensive line pulled through again last week.
- Check out this run by Callaway's Qua Hines. Here's a photo collage of the run.
- Callaway's Jacob Freeman also had an impressive touchdown run.
- Here's a touchdown pass from Alijah Huzzie to Lequincey Shepherd for Heard County. Here's another one.
- Rockmart's past met with the present on Thanksgiving.
- Washington County did a lot of traveling this postseason.
- Here's a good read about former Callaway star Terry Godwin.
Follow the AJC’s Class AA coverage on Twitter.
About the Author
