Two weeks into the playoffs and there still hasn’t been a real upset in the Class AAAAA playoffs.
All eight of the teams that reached the quarterfinals are ranked among the top 10, which means the last three weeks has the potential to produce some terrific games.
The team to beat remains No. 1 Buford (11-1), but none of the remaining teams should be discounted.
The semifinal matchups are Carrollton at Buford, Kell at Woodland, Griffin at Stockbridge and Ware County at Rome. The only game that required a coin flip to determine the site was Ware County-Rome, which Rome won.
Buford ousts Jones County: The Wolves prevailed 56-26 behind a running game that produced 342 yards. Christian Turner gained 110 yards and scored four touchdowns and Anthony Grant rushed for 106 yards and one touchdown. Jones County quarterback threw for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
No. 2 Stockbridge ends Clarke’s dream: The Tigers (12-0) returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to get the ball rolling. Quarterback Kenderick Duncan returned from an injury to run for two touchdowns. Gabriel McKenzie scored on a 6-yard run and Ryan Massey Jr. returned a pick-six for 72-yard score.
No. 3 Carrollton sets up match with Buford: Quarterback Mark Wright threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to help the Trojans (11-1) to a 41-14 win over Thomas County Central.
No. 4 Rome continues its roll: The Wolves (11-1) posted their second straight shutout in a 45-0 win over Bainbridge. Jamious Griffin rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown and Nick Burge ran for two touchdowns. Knox Kadum threw for 128 yards and one touchdown.
No. 5 Kell eliminates Starr’s Mill: The Longhorns (10-2) got two scores on special teams and defense and added touchdown runs from Josiah Futral and Dre Houston.
No. 6 Ware County outdoes No. 9 Loganville: Quarterback Jemar Lincoln ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to lead the Gators (8-3) into the third round
No. 8 Woodland topples No. 7 Grady: Woodland’s Tommy Herman kicked a 34-yard field goal with three seconds left to complete a 17-point comeback and score a 24-21 win. Grady scored on a 5-yard run by Caylin Newton, a 15-yard run by Jeffrey Black and a pass from Newton to Jacquez Sloan. Woodland (10-2) got a touchdown run from Allen, who intercepted a pass to set up the score. Allen added a 1-yard touchdown and a 7-yard run from Christ Charles.
No. 10 Griffin beats Arabia Mountain in OT: Griffin (11-1) blocked an extra point attempt with six minutes left and scored in overtime to prevail 27-20. Arabia Mountain scored first on a 100-yard interception return from Joshua Cook.
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