State championship game previews

Records, rankings: Marietta is 12-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 3-AAAAAAA and No. 6; Lowndes is 14-0, the No. 1 seed from 1- AAAAAAA and No. 1.

Last meeting: Marietta won 30-27 in the first round of the 2012 Class AAAAAA playoffs.

Things to know: Marietta was the preseason No. 1 team and made the top 10 of several national polls. Lowndes is the current No. 1 and now ranked high nationally, peaking at No. 3 by PrepNation. Marietta has six of Georgia's top 100 senior prospects but no state title appearances since its 1967 Class AAA championship. Lowndes has no top-100 players but five state titles since 1980, the most of any current Class AAAAAAA school. Add the north-south thing - Marietta is metro Atlanta's oldest football program, Lowndes the flag bearer for storied Region 1 - and this game is full of intrigue. Marietta has won seven straight games, four against top-10 teams, since losing to McEachern in October. Only one team this century, Peachtree Ridge in 2006, has won a state title in the highest class after losing a game that late. The Blue Devils' list of blue chips include QB Harrison Bailey (4,000 yards passing, committed to Tennessee), WR Arik Gilbert (1,614 yards receiving, LSU), WR Ricky White (1,246 receiving, Michigan State), RB Kimani Vidal (1,511 rushing, Troy), DE B.J. Ojulari (LSU) and DB Rashad Torrence (Florida). Lowndes' offense is built around sophomore QB Jacurri Brown, who has rushed for 1,508 yards and passed for 1,253 yards. Lowndes allowed more than 21 points for the first time last week in a 49-28 victory over North Gwinnett. Marietta has allowed 21 or more six times. Marietta and Lowndes have four common opponents. Lowndes beat Grayson 28-20 in the quarterfinals. Grayson beat Marietta 28-14 on Sept. 13. They're both 3-0 against the others.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Lowndes by 14

Class AAAAAA

Allatoona vs. Harrison

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Allatoona is 11-2-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 6-AAAAAA and No. 7; Harrison is 14-0, the No. 1 seed from 6-AAAAAA and No. 2.

Last meeting: Harrison won 21-17 on Oct. 11.

Things to know: The winner of this game between Region 6-AAAAAA rivals will become the fourth team from Cobb County to win a state title, joining 1967 Marietta, 2014 Mount Paran Christian and 2015 Allatoona. Harrison beat the Buccaneers in the regular season in a game that ultimately decided the region title. Marcus Bleazard scored the game-winning points in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard run after Allatoona lost a fumble deep in its territory. Bleazard is the leading tackler for a Harrison defense that allows just 10.71 points per game, second-best in Class AAAAAA. Both teams get about 60 percent of their offense from the running game. David Roberts has run for 1,524 yards and 19 touchdowns on 167 carries. Mason Babay has 608 yards rushing and 626 receiving, and Jay Ziglor has 673 yards rushing and 288 receiving. Alex Wilson gets the bulk of the work for Allatoona, rushing for 1,273 yards and eight touchdowns on 251 carries. The quarterbacks have similar numbers. Allatoona's Dante Marshall is 76-of-169 for 1,772 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Harrison's Gavin Hall is 95-of-165 for 1,857 yards and 20 TDs. And both teams have an explosive threat at receiver. Allatoona's Asante Das has 1,084 yards and 15 TDs on 36 catches (30.1 yards per reception), and Harrison's Marques Owens has 727 yards and nine TDs on 24 catches (30.3 yards per reception). Harrison will be moving up to the highest classification next year, into Region 3 along with Class AAAAAAA finalist Marietta.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Harrison by 17

Class AAAAA

Buford vs. Warner Robins

When, where: 4:30 p.m. Friday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Buford is 13-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 8-AAAAA and No. 5; Warner Robins is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from 1-AAAAA and No. 2.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Things to know: Two first-time head coaches promoted from defensive coordinator are guiding these blue-blood programs. Bryant Appling, an assistant for 15 years on Buford's staff, has the Wolves in their 16th final this century. They've won 10 of them. Marquis Westbrook has been on Warner Robins' staff four seasons, and this is the Demons' third consecutive final. Warner Robins is seeking its first title 2004, fifth overall. The '04 Warner Robins team also had a first-time head coach, Bryan Way. Both teams like to control the ball with the run game. Warner Robins' Jahlen Rutherford (1,290 yards rushing) and James Smith (934) each have two 100-yard rushing games in the playoffs. Jalen Addie (2,297 yards passing, 571 rushing) is a dual-threat quarterback. Gabe Ervin (1,155) is Buford's leading rusher, though Victor Venn (709) has run for 255 and 107 yards the past two weeks. Jarvis Evans (73-for-122 passing for 1,376 yards) is accurate but stays in the pocket. Buford's only loss came against Clarke Central 31-28. It cost Buford the Region 8 title. Warner Robins beat Clarke 49-14 in the quarterfinals.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Buford by 1

Class AAAA

Blessed Trinity vs. Oconee County

When, where: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Blessed Trinity is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAAA and No. 3; Oconee County is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from 8-AAAA and No. 6.

Last meeting: Blessed Trinity won 35-0 in the first round of the 2017 Class AAAA playoffs.

Things to know: Blessed Trinity is seeking its third consecutive Class AAAA championship. The Titans' victory over Oconee County in the 2017 first round started their current 14-game winning streak in playoff games. Oconee County, seeking its first state championship since 1999, started the season unranked, lost to Clarke Central in its second game and didn't make its way into the top 10 until a 21-7 victory over St. Pius on Oct. 11. Blessed Trinity avenged its only loss (13-10 vs. Woodward Academy on Sept. 6) with a dominant 46-21 victory in the semifinals. The Titans lean heavily on a running game led by freshman Justice Haynes (187 carries, 1,703 yards, 18 touchdowns) and senior Elijah Green (178-1,442-19, committed to North Carolina), who missed four games early in the season with an injury. James Bryant scored a touchdown on offense (77-yard reception) and defense (12-yard interception return) last week. The Titans attempt about nine passes per game. Oconee County averages 165.1 yards rushing and 146.7 passing. QB Max Johnson (committed to LSU) has passed for 2,046 yards and 28 touchdowns. Jimmy Boswell has rushed for 1,162 yards and nine TDs. The teams have two common opponents this season - Marist lost to Blessed Trinity 33-30 and Oconee County 17-7; St. Pius lost to Blessed Trinity 28-10 and Oconee County 21-7.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Blessed Trinity by 5

Class AAA

Cedar Grove vs. Crisp County

When, where: 1 p.m. Saturday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Cedar Grove is 12-2, the No. 1 seed from Region 5-AAA and No. 2; Crisp County is 11-3, the No. 1 seed from 1-AAA and No. 6.

Last meeting: Cedar Grove won 55-0 in the 2016 Class AAA semifinals.

Things to know: This is Crisp County's first state final, although predecessor school Cordele High won a Class C championship in 1951. Crisp's playoff run is not surprising, though, as the Cougars were a region champion with four home playoff games. Their losses this season have come to larger schools that have been in the top 10, with no losing margin greater than five points. Junior QB A.J. Lofton (861 yards passing, 1,043 rushing) and sophomore RB Marquise Palmer (1,512 rushing) account for most of the team's offense. Crisp hasn't allowed more than 21 points in a game. LB Chris Paul, a Power Five Conference recruit at linebacker, leads the team in solo tackles (63) and has 10 stops for losses. Cedar Grove is the defending champion and can win a third AAA title in four seasons under first-year coach Miguel Patrick. The Saints' losses have come to larger schools Central of Phenix City, Ala., and McEachern. Cedar Grove relies offensively on feature back Chavon Wright, who has 1,736 yards rushing, at least 120 in each of the past three games. Austin Smith has thrown for 1,321 yards. Cedar Grove is best known for its defense. DE Alvin Williams (Colorado), LB Isaiah Ratcliff (Power 5 recruit) and junior DL Demarius Jackson have 77 tackles for losses and 26.5 sacks among them.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Cedar Grove by 11

Class AA

Brooks County vs. Dublin

When, where: 1 p.m. Friday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Brooks County is 10-4, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-AA and No. 7; Dublin is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from 3-AA and No. 5.

Last meeting: Dublin won 49-35 on Sept. 20.

Things to know: This is a rematch of the teams' regular-season meeting, when Dublin handed Brooks County its third of three consecutive losses in September. Brooks County is 9-1 since then, beating four top-10 opponents along the way, including No. 3 Callaway 39-35 last week. Dublin has three backs who have combined for more than 5,000 yards and 70 touchdowns rushing out of the team's wing-T offense - JaQues Evans (200 carries, 2,225 yards, 38 TDs), Marcus Adams (166-1,426-13) and Zion Kemp (124-1,424-19). All three had at least 157 yards against Brooks. Dublin has not completed a pass in its past two playoff games and is 16-of-34 for the season, but eight of the 16 completions went for touchdowns. The Fighting Irish are scoring a Class AA-best 46.5 points per game, and their 651 total points rank among the top 25 in state history. Brooks County averaged 34.8 points in the regular season but is scoring 39.3 in the playoffs. Ni'Tavion Burrus is 122-of-215 passing for 1,970 yards and 21 TDs and has rushed for 658 yards and eight scores. Leading rusher Omari Arnold (195 carries, 1,697 yards, 21 TDs) ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on a season-high 23 carries in the semifinals. Leading receiver Willie Brown (32 catches, 554 yards, nine TDs) had a season-high 122 yards last week.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Dublin by 6

Class A (Private)

Wesleyan vs. Eagle's Landing Christian

When, where: 10 a.m. Friday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Wesleyan is 12-2, the No. 9 seed and No. 5; Eagle's Landing Christian is 12-1, the No. 6 seed and No. 3.

Last meeting: Eagle's Landing Christian won 54-17 on Oct. 4.

Things to know: Eagle's Landing Christian is bidding for a state-record fifth consecutive championship. Wesleyan is after its second overall, first since 2008. In the regular-season meeting between the two, Keaton Mitchell rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries, and Philip Massengale rushed for 107 and two touchdowns on seven carries and caught a 52-yard TD pass. Gabe Wright was 8-of-15 passing for 171 yards and three touchdowns, two to Justin Robinson, the Georgia-committed wide receiver. Mitchell has 1,838 yards rushing for the season and 5,694 for his career with 119 touchdowns. Wesleyan has won eight straight games since the ELCA loss as sophomores QB J.C. French (2,408 yards passing, 28 touchdowns), RB Griffin Caldwell (996 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns) and WR Cooper Blauser (841 yards receiving, six touchdowns) have continued to develop. As ball carriers, they get much of the ink, but the team's best overall player is four-year starter Tanner Bivens, the school's best lineman since David Andrews. LB Josh Aspinwall, DB Trent Bartlett and WR Micah Smith are other integral senior leaders.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Eagle's Landing Christian by 19

Class A (Public)

Irwin County vs. Marion County

When, where: 10 a.m. Saturday, Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Irwin County is 12-0, the No. 1 seed and No. 1; Marion County is 11-2, the No. 2 seed and unranked.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Things to know: Irwin County appears to be a team of destiny this season as it goes for its first state championship since 1975. The Indians have spent a good portion of the season without head coach Buddy Nobles, who is battling cancer that was diagnosed over the summer; D.J. Lundy, the 2018 Class A public offensive player of the year, who missed time early in the season with an injury; and Garland Benyard, who has been out for the playoffs after being wounded in an accidental shooting. Through it all, they have rolled their 12 opponents by an average score of 41-5. And Irwin finally got past its playoff tormentor, Region 2 rival Clinch County, which had beaten the Indians in the state final three times in the past four years despite losing to Irwin in the regular season each time. Irwin beat Clinch 36-0 last week. The Indians are doing it with the state's top defense, which has scored 62 points of its own while giving up just 56. Marion County, a semifinalist last season and a state champ in 2013, will try to solve Irwin's defense with an offense led by QB Trice McCannon, who has passed for 2,185 yards and 30 touchdowns and run for 974 yards and 18 TDs. Brandon Thomas has rushed for 991 yards and six touchdowns. Marion County has won eight consecutive games since back-to-back losses to Bleckley County (43-28) and Manchester (43-14) in September. The Eagles are averaging 34.6 points per game and allowing 18.7.

Maxwell Ratings' projection: Irwin County by 31

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