The underdog no longer exists in the Class AAAAA playoffs.
The remaining teams are: No. 1 Rome, which has won the last two state championships; No. 3 Warner Robins, one of the state’s most iconic programs that reached the final last year; No. 5 Stockbridge, the signature program in Henry County aching to reach its first championship game; and unranked Bainbridge, which has rolled over No. 8 Jones County, No. 5 Wayne County and No. 2 Buford on the way to the semifinals.
It should make for some interesting contests on Friday night, with the winners earning a date at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the championship.
Here’s a look at the Final Four:
Rome at Warner Robins, Friday, 7:30 p.m., at McConnell-Talbert Stadium, Warner Robins
Rome Wolves
Record: 13-0
Coach: John Reid, 49-6, fifth season; 123-38 overall.
Best players: QB Knox Kadum, Sr. (1,473 yards passing, 20 TDs; 591 yards rushing, 10 TDs); RB Jamious Griffin, Sr. (2,662 yards rushing, 37 TDs); RB Tre Lawrence (560 yards rushing, 14 TDs); WR Xavier Roberts-Donaldson (50 receptions, 1,043 yards, 15 TDs); Nick Burge, Jr. (80 tackles); LB Derricus Smith (100 tackles); DB Jamar Roberts (three interceptions, six passes defended, four fumble recoveries).
The skinny: The Wolves average 58.3 points and bring a 39-game winning streak into the semifinal game, a rematch of last year's championship game that Rome won 38-0. Rome survived early season shootouts with Marietta in the Corky Kell Classic and Carrollton, but has had little trouble since. Last week the Wolves overcame defensive power Dutchtown.
Warner Robins Demons
Record: 11-2 (one of the losses by forfeit for playing an ineligible player in a blowout victory)
Coach: Mike Chastain, 28-11, third season.
Best players: QB Dylan Fromm, Sr., (3,727 yards passing, 40 TDs); RB Jahlen Rutherford, Soph. (949 yards rushing,); RB Deondre Duehart, Jr., (685 yards rushing); WR Marcayll Jones, Jr. (92 catches, 1,744 yards); WR Ty'Jarrious Carr, Jr. (46 catches, 547 yards); LB Demarcus Robinson (98 tackles); LB Malachi Weatherspoon (86 tackles); DB Jatavious Bryant (four interceptions, four passes defended).
The skinny: The Demons won the Region 1 title for the second straight year and have put together another offensive juggernaut. Warner Robins averages 36.3 points. Their only on-field loss is to Class AAAAAAA No. 1 Colquitt County. Warner Robins has wins over Tift County (which reached the third round), Northside Warner Robins (playing in the AAAAAA semifinals) and fellow AAAAA semifinalist Bainbridge. Their only close call was last week's quarterfinal win over Clarke Central, 21-14.
Bainbridge at Stockbridge, Friday, 7:30 p.m., at Tiger Stadium, Stockbridge
Bainbridge Bearcats
Record: 8-5
Coach: Jeff Littleton, 45-27, seventh season.
Best players: QB Quayde Hawkins, Soph. (1,356 yards passing, 11 TDs); RB Caleb McDowell, Soph. (867 yards rushing, 11 TDs); RB Rashad Broadnax, Soph. (640 yards rushing, four TDs); WR/DB Aaron Spivie, Sr. (36 catches, 404 yards; three fumble recoveries, three blocked field goals); WR Adrian Cooper, Sr. (25 catches, 401 yards); LB Bryce Worthy, Sr. (88 tackles, 5.5 sacks); LB Randy Fillingame (98 tackles, four sacks); DL Roman Harrison (83 tackles, 8.5 sacks); Deyon Bouie (five interceptions, 11 passes defended).
The skinny: The Bearcats got off the deck after enduring a difficult non-region schedule and have produced three straight upset wins. Bainbridge will be making its first trip to the Final Four since 2015, when it won its first 13 games. Bainbridge will be playing its third straight playoff game on the road.
Stockbridge Tigers
Record: 12-1
Coach: Keith Whitley, 99-27, 11th season; 160-54 overall.
Best players: QB Jevon McDonald, Jr. (1,455 yards passing; 1,034 yards rushing, 13 TDs); RB Steve Bonner, Sr. (508 yards rushing, five TDs): RB Markell Ramsey, Jr. (414 yards rushing, 10 TDs); WR Isaiah Taylor (39 receptions, 665 yards, seven TDs); DB Chris Parson, Sr. (65 tackles); LB Kerick Reese (119 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss); LB Steve Esan, Sr. (89 tackles, 19 tackles for loss); DL Brice Bass (six sacks); DB Yahsyn McKee (four interceptions, nine passes defended); PK Marco Trejo.
The skinny: The Tigers are one win away from posting the 100th win under Whitley, who has transformed the program into one of the most successful in the state. Stockbridge has been on a hot streak and shocked Carrollton 48-3 to reach the semifinals. The Tigers got the Final Four in 2016 and lost to Rome in a close game. Stockbridge is looking for its first state championship.
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