Only four combined state championships are shared within the remaining field in Class AAAAA and five of the eight teams are in search of first-ever state titles. Jones County and Mays are among the title hopefuls and each sit a win away from the semifinals after defeated the odds the first two rounds. Mays has never reached the final four and Jones County’s last trip came in 1961.
Mays and Jones County both beat undefeated and highly-favorited teams on the road last week. Jones County topped Kell 33-31 and Mays stunned Ware County 21-18. Chandler Ramage rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns in Jones County’s upset over Kell. Mays built a 21-3 lead before cruising to its second round victory over Ware County. Quarterback Asahnia Aderhold was 11-of-14 passing for 178 yards and threw touchdown passes to Tyshawn Brown and Randrecous Davis in the second half.
The winner of Mays and Jones County will meet with Houston County or Stockbridge in the semis. Houston County visits Stockbridge tonight for the first time in 11 years. The Bears beat Stockbridge 42-14 during the 2003 meeting and come into tonight’s matchup off a 43-12 victory over Sequoyah. Houston County sophomore Jake Fromm is the leading passer in Class AAAAA with 3,316 yards and 30 touchdowns and he threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns last Friday. Stockbridge is led by junior quarterback Malachi Brown. In Stockbridge’s 27-7 victory over Stephenson last week, Brown ran for two touchdowns and threw two scores.
Glynn Academy was another Class AAAAA team that pulled off a massive road upset last week as the Red Terrors topped defending champion Creekside one week after a comeback victory over Drew in the first round. Glynn Academy is led by running back Garrison Hurd, who has five touchdowns this postseason. Northside-Warner Robins cruised to a 42-16 victory in its 2011 playoff matchup with Glynn Academy and beat Dalton 31-21 last Friday. Quarterback Tobias Oliver is a dangerous run threat and rushed for three scores in Northside’s win over Dalton last week.
The winner of Glynn Academy and Northside-WR will face either Gainesville or Allatoona. Gainesville is the most recent state champion remaining Class AAAAA schools, having captured the state title in 2012 with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson under center. The Red Elephants are led by quarterback Mikey Gonzalez this season and saw the dynamic quarterback complete 25-of-32 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns in their 49-40 victory over Harris County last Friday. Gonzalez and the Gainesville offense will have to keep pace with Allatoona’s high scoring rushing attack. The undefeated Buccaneers gashed a stout Coffee defense 45-14 last week and Josh Bettistea and Russell Halimon could be the best backfield duo in the state.
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