Peach County vs. Cedar Grove (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
History: Cedar Grove is trying to win its second title, first since 2016. Peach County is looking for its fourth title, first since 2009 and second under Chad Campbell.
How they got here: Cedar Grove defeated Pierce County 30-6 in the semis. Peach County earned its title berth with a 22-7 victory against Calhoun on the road.
The scouting report:
Quarterbacks: Peach County will rely on Jaydon Gibson, who has completed 167 of 232 passes for 2,197 yards and 19 touchdowns, with six interceptions. Cedar Grove lists Austin Smith as the starter and Kendall Boney as a backup. Both could factor. Smith is 89-of-134 passing for 1,452 yards and 18 touchdowns; Boney has completed 57 of 91 passes for 911 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Running back: Cedar Grove's Robert Jones III leads a backfield that is excited to take advantage of any weaknesses on defense. Jones has 103 carries for 1,162 yards and 12 touchdowns. Chavon Wright has 48 carries for 422 yards and nine touchdowns. Boney factors in with 69 carries for 330 yards and eight touchdowns. Mehki Gilstrap has had 36 carries for 406 yards and seven touchdowns. Rashad Dubinion has rushed 58 times for 496 yards and five touchdowns. Smith has 39 carries for 162 yards and five touchdowns. Peach also has numerous options in the running game. Gibson has 371 yards on 111 carries with nine touchdowns. Kapien Everett has 98 carries for 577 yards and 12 touchdowns. You may remember WR/RB Noah Whittington from last year's title game, when he was immortalized in photos of his outstretched arm reaching for the goal line. Whittington has 459 yards on 68 carries and 10 touchdowns. Tijah Woolfolk has run the ball 106 times for 728 yards and seven touchdowns.
Wide receiver/tight end: Cedar Grove's two-way starter Jadon Haselwood is rated as the best receiver in the nation. He has 41 catches for 621 yards and 11 touchdowns. Haselwood is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior who will wear No. 11 instead of No. 2 in the state final game in honor of the passing of a teammate. His prowess for drawing double-teams could free up another Cedar Grove receiver or allow for an easier running game. The other starters will should factor. Rashad Jordan has 41 catches for 621 yards and 11 touchdowns. Montre Monfort has 13 catches for 210 yards and five touchdowns, and Janiran Bonner has 16 catches for 263 yards and three touchdowns. Whittington leads Peach with 23 receptions for 225 yards and four touchdowns. Terkel Jefferson has 38 catches for 550 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Harris, who made the interception and game-clinching touchdown return against Calhoun in the semifinals, has 15 catches for 213 and two touchdowns. Another option is Millard Thomas, who has 32 catches for 409 yards and one touchdown.
Offensive line: Both programs have players who will be fun to watch throughout the game. Cedar Grove's offensive line huge, and they know it. Left tackle Chris Stinson is a 6-2, 240-pounder. Brandon Hall, the left guard, is 6-3, 325 pounds. Michael Brook is 6-3, 282 pounds. Keon Watson is 6-3 and 315 pounds. Chris Carter holds down the line at right tackle. The Peach County line is not little. Terrence Ferguson, a 6-4, 265-pound tackle/defensive tackle is only a sophomore. Dylan Perry is the senior center for Peach County. He will have tall task weathering the powerful Cedar Grove defensive line throughout the game. Perry is a talented center who can accurately snap in the shotgun and team-lead the blocking. Cameron Perry, a 6-5, 250-pound tackle, will be joined by Marium Harris, Jamarian Lockhart and Octavious King.
Defensive line: Cedar Grove features two big-time defensive linemen -- Rashad Cheney Jr. and Dante Walker. Cheney, the defensive tackle, and Walker, defensive end, are a one-two punch that Peach's Gibson will have to deal with the entire game. Cedar Grove has only given up 39 points (30 to North Hall after the starters were pulled) in the playoffs. Peach County has only given up 25 points in the playoffs and has held each opponent to single digits behind its strong defense, anchored by its line and lock-down secondary. In the semifinals, the defensive line had numerous sacks and pressures against Calhoun. Joshua Dickson, a 5-10, 195-pound nose-guard, had two of the sacks, and Bryson Dent, a 5-11, 225-pound defensive end, also got to Calhoun's Gavin Gray for a sack last week. Jamir Best, a 6-2, 270-pound lineman, added a sack against Calhoun.
Linebackers/secondary: Peach County's linebacker group is anchored by Clemson commitment Sergio Allen, a 6-2, 225-pound junior. Allen, who had a sack against Calhoun in the semis, plays beside Cedric Hillsman and Bonner. Harris, at defensive back, had the huge 52-yard interception return for a touchdown last week. The 5-11 junior is speedy and disguises himself well within the in coverage which allows a sneaky attack on any loose pass. Harris and Talique Allen, will be looking for the answer to the "Haselwood question" throughout the game. The goal? Limit Haselwood's explosive plays and keep him contained. Cedar Grove's Isaiah Ratcliff (WLB), Alvin Williams (MLB) and William Jenkins (Saint backer) are the main players on defense for Cedar Grove. With a ball-hawk like Haselwood at the free safety position and Monfort at the strong safety spot, Peach's Gibson must be in control of his throws. Latrelvin Blackamore and Tennilius Denson hold down the cornerback spots.
Special teams: Cedar Grove sticks with Haselwood for its punt/kick returns and why wouldn't they? The speedy receiver is slippery on returns. Kicker/punter Luis Dominguez, holder Justin Minittee and long snapper Anton Cousins make up Cedar Grove's special teams group. In the semis, Peach County's special teams helped the offense out by providing short fields after quality returns. Gibson, the quarterback, is also the punter for Peach. Rene Galan is the senior kicker for the Trojans.
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