Semifinal preview: Classes A Division II and 3A-A private
Class A Division II
Irwin County at Bowdon
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dwight Hochstetler Stadium/Warren P. Sewell Field, Bowdon
Records, rankings: Irwin County is 12-1, the No. 3 seed from Region 2-A Division II and No. 3; Bowdon is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 7-A Division II and No. 2.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Things to know: Bowdon is the defending champion, but Irwin County, a quarterfinal team in Class A Division I last season, is probably the most consistently successful program its size the past 12 seasons with seven state championship appearances and two titles (2019-20). Irwin County was in the quarterfinals for the 12th straight season, the longest active streak in the state in any class. Irwin beat Trion 40-30 in the quarterfinals. (Bowdon beat Trion 42-16 last month in region play.) Irwin had as many completed passes as interceptions (one) but rushed for 443 yards. Shane Marshall ran for 200 yards, giving him 1,817 rushing yards on the season. Jason Jackson rushed for 186, giving him 1,030. Bowdon beat Clinch County 31-13 in the quarterfinals after trailing 13-7 at halftime. Jonah Wilson scored on a 45-yard pass from WR Kaiden Prothro in the first half and on a 64-yard fumble return in the second half. Bowdon’s top offensive players are Charles Maxell (2,348 yards passing, 34 touchdowns), Nathan Bhony (1,156 rushing yards) and Prothro (1,096 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns). Prothro, who is 6 feet, 6 inches, is an uncommitted top-50 national junior prospect.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Bowdon 30, Irwin County 26
Brooks County at Manchester
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Manchester
Records, rankings: Brooks County is 9-4, the No. 1 seed from Region 2-A Division II and No. 4; Manchester is 10-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 7-A Division II and No. 1.
Last meeting: Brooks County won 41-26 in the second round of the 2015 Class 2A playoffs.
Things to know: Manchester was the Class A Division II runner-up to Bowdon last season and is chasing its first state championship since 1997. Brooks County won a state title in 2021, the last time the Trojans were in the lowest classification. Manchester beat Lincoln County 20-17 in the quarterfinals last week. Manchester didn’t attempt a pass and won the game when Lincoln County threw incomplete in the end zone on a flea-flicker play from Manchester’s 28-yard line. Darrius Favors rushed for 186 yards, giving him 1,704 on the season. Qua Cooper ran for 84, giving him 917. Manchester is 10-of-32 passing this season. Brooks County beat Jenkins County 28-7 in the quarterfinals. Chris Cole rushed for 118 yards on 28 carries. He has rushed for 1,725 yards this season. Junior Burrus was limited to 85 yards passing, about half his season average. George Lamons had four receptions for 43 yards. He has 1,196 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Burrus has thrown for 2,207 yards. Brooks County is 4-0 all-time against Manchester. That includes Brooks County’s 20-0 victory in the Class A championship game in 1994. A star of that Brooks team was Chris Cole Sr., father of Brooks County’s current leading rusher. Brooks County is 5-5 against No. 1-ranked teams since 2015.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Manchester 21, Brooks County 9
WRITTEN BY CHIP SAYEClass 3A-A private
North Cobb Christian at Prince Avenue Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Brad Akins Field, Bogart
Records, rankings: North Cobb Christian is 11-1, the No. 8 seed and No. 7; Prince Avenue Christian is 9-3, the No. 5 seed and No. 2.
Last meeting: Prince Avenue Christian won 48-20 in the 2018 Class A Private quarterfinals.
Things to know: North Cobb Christian pulled off the biggest upset of the quarterfinals when it defeated top-ranked Savannah Christian 30-27 to reach the semifinals for the first time in program history. Teddy Jarrard was 31-of-51 passing for 327 yards and three touchdowns on a night when the Eagles had just 10 rushes for minus-2 yards, including sacks. The sophomore has passed for 2,647 yards this year and 4,712 in two seasons. D.J. Huggins had 10 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown and completed a 20-yard pass. Brody Archie had five receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Rivera kicked three 23-yard field goals, including one with 5:02 remaining that gave the Eagles a 30-20 lead and turned out to be the winning points. Savannah Christian’s loss ended the high school career of defensive lineman Elijah Griffin (signed with Georgia), the consensus No. 1 player in Georgia and No. 3 player nationally. Prince Avenue Christian is seeking its third consecutive state championship and fourth in five seasons. The Wolverines are in the semifinals for the 11th time in 14 seasons after beating Calvary Day 61-39 last week. Sophomore Andrew Beard rushed for career highs in yards (361), touchdowns (five) and carries (34), putting him at 1,868 yards for the season with 21 touchdowns. Jake Bobo and Ben Musser, sharing time at quarterback, were a combined 15-of-23 passing for 157 yards and a touchdown. The Wolverines’ three losses, all in the first five games, came against Class 4A No. Blessed Trinity and out-of-state powers Mallard Creek, N.C., and Westside, S.C.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Prince Avenue Christian 40, North Cobb Christian 19
Hebron Christian at Fellowship Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bob Lord Field, Roswell
Records, rankings: Hebron Christian is 10-2, the No. 6 seed and No. 3; Fellowship Christian is 10-2, the No. 2 seed and No. 5.
Last meeting: Hebron Christian won 38-18 on Aug. 23.
Things to know: This is a rematch of their non-region game in Week 2. Devon Caldwell rushed for 157 yards and four touchdowns in Hebron’s victory, and Jarvis Mathurin ran for 106 yards and had seven receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Lions advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history with a 63-13 victory over Aquinas last week. Thomas Stallworth passed for 227 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a season-high 171 yards (his previous best was 68 yards in a victory over Lovett the previous week) and two TDs on six carries. Stallworth has 2,061 yards passing and 547 rushing for the season. Caldwell is the leading rusher with 1,213 yards and 19 touchdowns. Fellowship Christian reached the semifinals for the fourth time in six seasons with a 28-14 victory over Wesleyan last week. C.J. Givers ran for 137 yards, and Jonathan Granby passed for 104 yards and ran for 75 yards. They are the team’s offensive leaders. Givers has rushed for 1,403 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, and Granby has passed for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Paladins typically get about 71% of their offense from the running game. Sophomore Synir Fields leads the defense with 82 total tackles. The teams’ only other previous meeting was a 35-28 Fellowship Christian victory in the 2019 quarterfinals.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Hebron Christian 28, Fellowship Christian 18