For ten weeks the Washington County Golden Hawks have gone without a defeat and without a challenge. Those easy days may be ready to come to an end, as coach Joel Ingram’s team prepares to enter the Class AAA playoffs as the state’s No. 1-ranked team.
Washington County is one of six teams that will enter the playoffs with a perfect record. In a classification that is top heavy with good teams. Others who will enter the postseason at 10-0 are: No. 2 Calhoun, No. 3 Blessed Trinity, No. 4 Peach County, No. 5 Jefferson and No. 7 Central Carroll.
Despite the presence of the other undefeated teams, Washington County enters the playoffs as the team to beat. The Golden Hawks came close last year, winning 14 straight until running up against mighty Buford in the championship game. With Buford moving up to Class AAA, Washington County entered the season as the team to beat and has not disappointed.
“We came close last year and it whet our appetite and our team is hungry,” Ingram said. “But I’m sure Blessed Trinity is hungry and Calhoun is hungry … everybody is hungry. The thing is, not of what’s happened so far matters any more. Right now everybody is the same.”
Washington County, the Region 3 champion, begins the playoffs with a game against Jackson (7-3), which finished fourth in Region 4. The Golden Hawks have been a scoring machine and have topped 50 points the last six games, partially because of their strength and partially because of a series of weak opponents.
Washington County has perhaps the state’s best player in A.J. Gray, who starts at quarterback and defensive back. The Georgia Tech commitment has held the offense together while the staff searched to develop a deep stable of running backs and depth on both sides of the ball.
While a lot of his fans are looking past Jackson and further down the playoff road, Ingram said his staff and players aren’t taking that approach. This is no time to be overlooking an opponent, he said.
“I’m not shying away from expectations, but I’m realistic enough to know there are some good teams out there,” Ingram said. “The main thing is to focus on the next practice and in creating a great plan and covey it to the kids. We’re coaching with urgency. You never know when the last game of the season is going to be and for most of these kids, that’s the last football game they’ll ever get to play, so we’re going to prepare and we’re going to coach every snap.”
Mini-games determine final Region 5 spots
The Region 5-AAA mini-games determined the final two playoff spots. Cedartown beat Pepperell 17-0 in the first mini-game, then Rockmart beat Pepperell 7-0 in the second game. Based on Cedartown’s head-to-head win over Rockmart in the regular-season finale, the Bulldogs got the No. 3 seed and will play Adairsville in the first round. Rockmart will be the fourth seed and open against Calhoun.
Complete first-round schedule
(R6 #3) Ringgold (8-2) at (R5 #2) Callaway (6-4)
(R4 #4) Jackson, Atlanta (7-3) at (R3 #1) Washington County (10-0)
(R2 #3) Jackson (7-3 ) at (R1 #2) Pierce County (8-2)
(R8 #4) Oconee County (7-3) at (R7 #1) West Hall (9-1)
(R5 #3) Cedartown (3-7) at (R6 #2) Adairsville (9-1)
(R3 #4) Hephzibah (6-4) at (R4 #1) Blessed Trinity (10-0)
(R1 #3) Dodge County (8-2) at (R2 #2) Westside, Macon (9-1)
(R7 #4) Franklin County (4-6) at (R8 #1) Jefferson (10-0)
(R3 #3) Westside, Augusta (4-5-1) at (R4 #2) Cedar Grove (8-2) (Saturday at Panthersville)
(R5 #4) Rockmart (3-7) at (R6 #1) Calhoun (10-0)
(R8 #3) Elbert County (7-3) at (R7 #2) Lumpkin County (5-5)
(R1 #4) Appling County (7-3) at (R2 #1) Peach County (10-0_
(R4 #3) Westminster (9-1) at (R3 #2) Laney (7-3)
(R6 #4) Sonoraville (6-4) at (R5 #1) Central, Carrollton (10-0)
(R7 #3) East Hall (6-4) at (R8 #2) Hart County (9-1)
(R2 #4) Central, Macon (5-5) at (R1 #1) Cook (8-2)
About the Author
