GHSA CLASS AAA FINAL
CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (13-1) vs. PEACH COUNTY TROJANS (13-1) at MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM, ATLANTA
Storyline: The Jackets eliminated a very young group of Trojans with an overtime victory in the second round of the 2015 playoffs, and at the time Calhoun coach Hal Lamb noted Peach County would only get better. This year's Trojans have overcome the loss of two key players, leading rusher Chris Gibson and standout WR Kearis Jackson, to injury. Senior QB Antonio Gilbert has shined in the postseason, passing for 309 yards in last week's 28-23 win over Greater Atlanta Christian. Gilbert has completed 70 percent of his passes for 3,031 yards and 23 touchdowns against just one interception this season. Trevon Woolfork, a 6-foot, 210-pound RB, has stepped up to contribute 1,152 yards and 20 touchdowns, including 800 yards and 14 scores since Gibson went down in late October. Jaylon Dickey has taken up some of the receiving slack and has 600 yards on 37 catches, including 200 yards in the past three games. Peach County's defense is quick, led by LB Jaquez Jackson, a Georgia Tech recruit who has 124 tackles, including 25 for loss, and five sacks, with S Shamarcus Redding adding 107 tackles and four interceptions and LB Sergio Allen coming in with 101 tackles, including 15 for loss. Jackson was a double loss for the Trojans because he also handled punting duties. Calhoun shocked the state last week with a 14-6 victory at 2016 state champion Cedar Grove, which had won 23 games in a row. The Jackets, despite producing only 64 rushing yards, controlled most of the action as QB Gavin Gray had 209 yards and two touchdowns, one on a 60-yard pass to Brannon Spector. Calhoun's defense has been dominant in the postseason and held Cedar Grove to 170 total yards. LBs Davis Allen and Bailey Lester have more than 250 tackles and 30 tackles for loss, while linemen Brice Craig, C.J. Fuller and Zeke Nance have nearly 40 tackles for loss and could have a size edge today. DB Bralin Barton had three interceptions last week and helps anchor a secondary that will have to tackle well again today against Gilbert and the Trojan's other athletic playmakers.