Georgia
Class AA
WASHINGTON-WILKES (10-1)
at Calhoun (11-0), 7:30 p.m.
The key: It’s the second round of Georgia’s Class AA playoffs and already a matchup between teams that rank first and second in victory margin in their classification. Calhoun has averaged winning 47.4-14.7. Washington-Wilkes has averaged outscoring its opponents 41.5-8.9. History is on the side of the host Yellow Jackets, who have won 15 consecutive home playoff games. The Tigers have lost 10 consecutive road playoff games. A more tangible gauge in determining the outcome could be how well Calhoun’s offensive line protects quarterback Taylor Lamb. Lamb’s uncle, head coach Hal Lamb, said the Tigers can be effective with their linemen stunts and blitz packages.
The key players: Washington-Wilkes is coming off a 66-28 first-round victory over Bowdon in which senior quarterback Buck Robinson, son of head coach Robby Robinson, threw for 407 yards and five touchdowns. He has 2,385 passing yards for the year. His main target has been senior Mark White, a first-year transfer. Junior Tomarkus Young is a key contributor in the running game. Brian Hardigree, a four-year starter at strong safety or linebacker, is a defensive leader. Calhoun’s Lamb has completed 208 of 312 passes for 2,601 yards. The senior has thrown 27 touchdown passes and three interceptions. Classmate Josh Barnes has hauled in 73 passes for 897 yards. Junior Tydus Curtis, who leads with eight TD catches, has 677 yards on 46 receptions. Junior Alex Urbano spearheads the ground attack with 855 yards and 18 touchdowns on 124 runs. Junior Fields Chapman has nine tackles for loss and senior Donnell Anthony has intercepted four passes. Senior kicker Jonah Gallman has made five of six field-goal tries and 50 of 51 extra-point attempts.
The next step: The winner plays the winner between Brooks County and McIntosh County.
CLASS AAAA
LaGRANGE (6-5) at RIDGELAND (10-1)
The key: If there is one weakness in the host Panthers, it’s their defensive play against spread offenses. They’ll see another one tonight, as LaGrange scored 55 points and passed for more than 300 yards in last week’s opening-round win against Chestatee. The Grangers will move the ball, but keeping them out of the end zone will be the key.
The key players: LaGrange quarterback Zach Giddens doesn’t have a big arm, but he’s very accurate on the team’s variety of screens and option routes. Receivers Dee Smith and Demonton Boyd are the top threats, and when the team runs it gets good yardage from Benny Gray, who had 167 yards and three touchdowns last week. Lineman Joe Sanders, a Tennessee commitment, will draw double-teaming. Ridgeland’s wing-T attack revolves around the inside running of fullback Darrell Bridges, who had 202 yards and five touchdowns last week, and wingback Vonn Bell and his explosive speed. Safety Bell will be a key defensively tonight and will be in charge of limiting big plays, while linebackers Daniel Johnson and DeAngelo Smith will have to tackle well.