When Crisp County meets Cedar Grove at 1 p.m. Saturday at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta, it will be presented a chance to upset the status quo of the classification by dethroning a sitting champion and introducing itself to the state as a contender for years to come.
On the other side, Cedar Grove is playing for its third state championship in four years and its first under a new head coach, who undoubtedly has won over the program, its players and fans, who want nothing more than a title for the new coach.
Bottom line: There's a ton riding on this matchup. Below are three-ish, or four, or maybe five players from each program who will impact the flow of the championship game.
Cedar Grove Saints
Head Coach: Miguel Patrick (first year)
Record: 12-2 and 6-0 in 5-AAA.
Program Record: 325-198-6 in 48 seasons.
Path through the bracket: Fannin County (36-7), Benedictine (49-13), Peach County (36-3), GAC (28-18).
Running backs Chavon Wright/Rashad Dubinion: OK, so, one player was just too hard to pick, so here's the Saints two-headed rushing monster, which could three-headed if you include sophomore Langston White and his 66 carries, 357 yards and five touchdowns. But Wright, a 5-foot-8, 198-pound senior back, is the most productive of the group. He has 217 carries for 1,736 yards and 20 touchdowns. Dubinion, a sophomore, is a 5-10, 170-pound back with 71 carries for 411 yards and five touchdowns. Each will factor heavily in the championship game.
Quarterback Austin Smith: At 6-2, 180, Smith is can run and has command of the Saints' offense. He flawlessly transitioned into a full-time starter after Kendall Boney's departure last season. Smith, a junior, is 110-of-219 passing for 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has rushed for six touchdowns and 273 yards on 92 carries. And with a healthy Janiran Bonner, who was injured in the first round, likely back at receiver, Smith has a plethora of options.
Linebacker Isaiah Ratcliff: The big man can flat out play. He's a three-star recruit listed at 6-1, 205 pounds and has the speed and strength to break up passes and interrupt rushing lanes. He has made 162 tackles and leads the team in that category by nearly 60 tackles. Ratcliff has added 10 sacks with 26 tackles for losses, two caused fumbles and a fumble recovery. Alvin Williams, a 6-4, 220-pound senior weakside defensive end, has 103 total tackles, the next behind Ratcliff. Williams, a three-star recruit, committed to Colorado.
Crisp County Cougars
Head Coach: Brad Harber (third year)
Record: 11-3 and 3-0 in 1-AAA.
Program Record: 333-337-14 in 63 seasons.
Path through the bracket: Southeast Bulloch (46-0), North Hall (41-3), Jefferson (22-20), Jenkins (14-6).
Quarterback AJ Lofton: The 5-9, 160-pound junior leads a Crisp offense that averages 207 rushing and 116 passing yards per game. He has not been overly productive passing (66-of-103 for 861 yards and six touchdowns), but he can run. Lofton is the second-most productive rusher on the team with 169 carries for 1,043 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the semifinal victory against Jenkins, Lofton scored both Cougars touchdowns with short, crafty runs. He finished with 18 carries for 89 yards. Against Jefferson in the quarterfinals, his stat line was nearly identical with 16 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the 22-20 victory. It's worth noting that sophomore Jack Carter has played in 11 games for Crisp and is 47-of-89 passing for 675 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Marquise Palmer: Crisp County has a gem of a player in running back Marquise Palmer, and the program will enjoy his talents for several more years. The 5-8, 185-pound sophomore leads the Cougars running backs with 233 carries for 1,512 yards and 16 touchdowns. He did not score touchdowns in the last two games, but he had 23 carries for 137 yards against Jefferson and 22 carries for 116 yards against Jenkins. His goal? Move the football, and he's good at it.
Linebacker Christopher Paul Jr.: At 6-1, 217-pounds, Paul, a junior, is a the three-star inside linebacker and is warm on Michigan State and Nebraska, according to 247Sports. He leads Crisp County in tackles with 146 total -- 63 solo, 83 assists. He adds 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles for losses. Behind Paul, senior Jayren Fox is the next threat backing the line. The 6-2 senior has 136 total tackles with seven sacks and 15 tackles for losses. Juniors Preston Lavant (117 tackles, two sacks, six for losses) and Kamron Moate (105 tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for losses) will also factor.
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