The Class AAAAA quarterfinals promises some intriguing matchups. The top four teams in the state rankings are among the participants, with two unranked teams still in the mix. Here is a look at the teams in Friday’s Elite Eight games.
No. 1 Rome at No. 4 Dutchtown: Two-time defending state champion and top-ranked Rome puts its 29-game winning streak on the line when it travels to play at No. 4 Dutchtown.
Rome (12-0) brings a high-powered offense that hasn’t been stopped all season. And the Wolves have an excellent defense that’s overshadowed by the other side of the ball. The Wolves feature running back Jamious Griffin, who has committed to NC State, four-year starting quarterback Knox Kadum, play-making receiver Xavier Roberts-Donaldson (a Kennesaw State commit) and junior tackle Tic Leslie, who has already received SEC offers.
Dutchtown (12-0) is all about the defense; it has five shutouts and has allowed seven points in the playoffs. The Bulldogs have three big-time players over there, led by junior defensive end Will Anderson, who already has an offer from Georgia Tech. Inside linebacker Kevon Glenn and cornerback Ja’Shaun Poke are seniors who already have college offers. On offense, quarterback Arendez Fedd leads a solid attack that makes few mistakes. Wide receiver Nate McCollum is a junior who is drawing college attention.
It remains to be seen how much home-field advantage Dutchtown will enjoy. A year ago Rome had to go on the road in the third round and beat Region 3 champion Starr’s Mill 59-10, then had to play at Warner Robins in the championship game and won 38-0.
The two teams have never played.
Clarke Central at No. 3 Warner Robins: This game promises a clash of styles between Clarke Central (8-4), which fields a balanced attack that leans toward the ground game, and Warner Robins (10-2), which prefers to attack through the air.
Warner Robins is led by quarterback Tyler Fromm, who has thrown for 3,554 yards and 38 touchdowns. His favorite target in Marcayll Jones, who has 86 catches and last week broke the state record for receiving yards, and Ty’larrious Carr, who has 45 receptions. But, like Rome, the Warner Robins defense has been overshadowed by the high-scoring offense; the defense has blanked four of its last six opponents.
Clarke Central’s O’Brien Barnett is an SEC recruited junior who has rushed for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior Jonathan Sewell has battled through some injuries and has rushed for 479 yards and three touchdowns Quarterback Isaac Ward won the job in summer camp and has made great progress; he’s thrown for 1,414 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The two iconic programs have met 12 times, with Warner Robins winning eight. They haven’t played since 1997. Warner Robins beat Clarke Central in the 1985 state championship game with coach Robert Davis prevailing over Clarke’s Billy Henderson is a match between two of the state’s winningest coaches.
Bainbridge at No. 2 Buford: Bainbridge (7-5) has been rolling in the playoffs, beating No. 8 Jones County in the first round and No. 5 Wayne County in the second round. Now the Bearcats ascend to a different level when they travel to play Buford.
Bainbridge sophomore quarterback Quayde Hawkins has thrown for 1,264 yards and 11 touchdowns, with Aaron Spivie catching 35 balls for a 31.3-yard average. The tandem of running backs Caleb McDowell (773 yards) and Rashad Broadnax (624 yards) give the Bearcats a well-balanced attack.
The Buford offense revolves around tailback Derrian Brown, a Texas commitment who is closing in on 2,000 yards rushing. Brown and quarterback Aaron McLaughlin operate behind one of the state’s most-accomplished offensive line, led by Ohio State commitment Harry Miller.
The two teams have never played.
No. 10 Carrollton at No. 6 Stockbridge: The is another game of contrasting styles – the high-powered offense of Carrollton (10-2) against the point-stuffing defense of Stockbridge (11-1).
Carrollton averages 39 points per game behind a ground-oriented attack. Brandon Marenco (912 yards, 14 TDs) is the top producer on a deep roster of backs that includes Trent Lane (640 yards), Kodee Brewer (615 yards, 11 touchdowns), Keshawn Ridley (319 yards) and Myles Morris (300 yards). Quarterback Kashf Taylor has thrown for 1,292 yards and run for 305.
Stockbridge is best known for its defense, which has three shutouts this season. But the Tigers average 31.1 points on offense against a solid schedule. Junior quarterback Jevon McDonald has thrown for 1,250 yards and rushed for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns. Steve Bonner has run for 504 yards and Markell Ramsey has 404 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The two teams have played twice, both times in the playoffs. Carrollton prevailed in the 2013 quarterfinals and in the second round in 2011.
Semifinal matchups
The GHSA conducted a universal coin flip and it was determined that the team in the bottom half of the bracket will be the home team, should equal seeds be paired. That sets up these scenarios in Class AAAAA.
Bainbridge-Buford winner vs. Carrollton-Stockbridge winner
- If Buford wins, it would be the host team.
- If Bainbridge wins, it would be the host team against Carrollton.
- If Bainbridge wins, it would be the visiting team against Stockbridge.
Rome-Dutchtown winner vs. Clarke Central-Carrollton winner
- If Warner Robins wins, it would be the host team.
- If Clarke Central wins, it would be the visiting team.
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