There are 16 teams remaining that will be fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals this week, and there are intriguing matchups up and down both sides of the bracket. Here’s a look at what each team did in the first round, and what they will be up against this round.
R4#3 Woodward Academy @ R2#1 Mary Persons
Woodward Academy defeated Carver-Columbus 55-40 in the first round. Offensively, the War Eagles can put up points, but they will face a high-powered Mary Persons team that will have no trouble racking up points. Defensively, Mary Persons is also playing outstanding football. The Bulldogs took their first-round matchup with Richmond Academy 59-0. Mary Persons led 52-0 at the half and outgained Richmond Academy 466-to-24 at the break. Quarterback J.T. Hartage completed 9-of-11 pass attempts for 225 yards and four touchdowns
R7#2 Marist @ R8#1 St. Pius
This is a rematch of last year’s semifinals—which went to Marist—and of this season’s meeting which went to St. Pius 17-0. Marist looked great in the first round—cruising past Heritage-Catoosa 61-20, and St. Pius dominated a solid Cedartown team 38-6. This should be one of the premiere second round matchups in any classification this Friday.
R1#3 Columbus @ R3#1 Baldwin
In the first round, Columbus led Salem 14-0 after the first quarter and 21-6 earlier in the third before closing out a narrow 35-32 road victory. Top-seeded Baldwin jumped out to a 21-10 lead early in the third and cruised past Perry 39-22. Baldwin three-star safety Donte Justice iced the game with 3:09 left as he secured the 10th interception of his senior season.
R6#2 Ridgeland @ R5#1 Cartersville
Ridgeland blew open a 10-7 lead with a 24-point fourth quarter effort score a big 34-14 First Round victory over Flowery Branch. Cartersville also finished strong, breaking open a 13-7 halftime lead to get past Stephens County 34-17.
R3#2 Burke County @ R4#1 Eastside
Undefeated Eastside found itself in a battle with fourth-seeded Hardaway, but prevailed 41-23 thanks to a strong closing effort. Eastside’s lead stood at 27-17 at the break, but Hardaway received the ball to open the third quarter and brought it within 27-23 with 8:43 left in the period. Eastside built the lead back up to 34-23 heading into the fourth, and used a gutsy direct snap on a fake punt to keep its game-clinching touchdown drive alive. Burke County outscored Howard 21-0 in the second quarter of its 28-22 victory. The Bears’ lead stood at 28-8 at the half and 28-15 at the end of the third quarter—proving to be just enough to keep the Huskies from completing their valiant rally in the second half.
R8#2 North Oconee @ R7#1 Blessed Trinity
North Oconee has proven itself time and time again, and now they will visit the defending state champs for their biggest, and likely toughest, game of the year. North Oconee scored an impressive 27-8 win over Sandy Creek in the First Round. As for Blessed Trinity, the Titans were all business—jumping to a 39-0 halftime lead and cruising past Northwest Whitfield 55-16.
R3#3 Thomson @ R1#1 Cairo
Thomson led Upson-Lee 27-0 at the half of its 34-28 victory. The Knights trailed 27-7 at the end of the third quarter and outscored Thomson 21-7 in the fourth quarter to shrink the margin. Cairo jumped to a 30-0 halftime lead and cruised past Henry County 44-0. The Syrupmakers outgained Henry County 417-to-180 in total yardage and only one Warhawk drive managed to cross midfield.
R5#2 Troup @ R6#1 Pickens
Troup defeated Oconee County 42-28 last Thursday and completed its first 10-win season since 2003 in the process. Pickens is on its own historic trail and improved to 11-0 a 42-0 win over White County—the first playoff win in school history. Troup’s high-powered passing game, and Pickens’ unstoppable rushing attack makes this one of the most intriguing, and potentially entertaining, games on the slate.
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