The GHSA football playoffs reach their climax this weekend.
Ten teams across five classifications will play for state titles. Some of them are trying to cement dynasties, while others are just getting their first taste of glory.
Win or lose, making it this far in a state rich with football talent is no small feat. Five different metro Atlanta teams have indeed come all this way, and now they want to take the next step, and be crowned state champs. And right now, that’s all that matters.
“Certainly, two months from now, I know I will be very pleased with this team,” said Chattahoochee head coach Terry Crowder. “But our goal wasn’t to get to the dome it was to win at the Georgia Dome. I want finish this job out and just win.”
Here’s a look at the five metro teams looking to finish the job this weekend.
COUGARS AND PANTHERS …
If you ask Crowder about his Chattahoochee team, he’ll tell you this season his players are having the success they always deserved. A part of the gauntlet that is Region 6-5A, they were a competitive team that probably could have made it to state relatively easily in other regions, but hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2007 because of the tough competition. This year the Cougars made the move down to Class 4A. Now they’re 14-0 and enjoying their best year in school history.
Crowder thinks all the frustration of year’s past was one of the keys for this season’s success.
“I think that prepared us for this year, just playing competition like that every week,” he said. “Four or five teams that we played last year are as good as anyone we faced this year.”
Crowder’s squad was basically untouchable during the regular season. They aren’t necessarily your most talented team, but they’re an experienced bunch that knows how to win. That showed in the playoffs, when they overcame second half deficits against Marist and Statesboro, winning both on last-second field goals from Ammon Lakip.
‘Hooch will be looking to throw the ball whenever possible. Any coach would do the same with Timmy Byerly. The senior quarterback has accounted for an incredible 3,496 yards and 50 touchdowns. He’s got a solid duo to throw to on the outside as well with the speedy Kane Whitehurst and Hunter Thomas, who had 84 yards and a touchdown receiving in the quarterfinal win over Statesboro.
Standing in their way is Starr’s Mill and first-year head coach Chad Phillips. It’s been a remarkable season for Phillips and company. Like Chattahoochee, they have yet to lose. And also like their opponents, they overcame a late deficit to win in the semifinals.
The Panthers trailed Tucker by five with 2:30 to play and were on defense. But Tiger running back Basheer Coles fumbled and SMHS recovered at their own 41, giving quarterback Adam Holley one last chance. He made the most of it, hitting Jeffrey Greene to get to the Tucker 26. Two plays later, Holley shocked the home crowd, hitting Alex Riddle in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
The defense is also a strong unit that has notched five shutouts this season.
“Defensively they are just so good,” Crowder said. “Somehow we have to move the ball and get the opportunity to score.”
Both teams meet Saturday with a first-ever state title on the line for both schools. Both coaches know what they are up against.
“Byerly is a great player, we have to get stops and limit our turnovers,” Philips, said. “We’ve got to keep doing what we’ve done all along, playing hard and preparing hard.”
The coach is also hoping to reward a solid senior class.
“What’s most special is they mostly played together since sixth grade,” he said. “Most of them are two or three-year starters, and they started their high school careers at the Dome in the Corky Kell Classic. Now they’re finishing it there.”
REPPIN’ GWINNETT …
The Brookwood Broncos will play in their fifth state title game, and their first since 2005 when they face Colquitt Co. on Saturday.
This year was especially important for the program after the past two seasons, when Brookwood won only 12 games, the lowest over a two-year period since 1985-86.
“We’re not used to winning six games, especially two years in a row,” head coach Mark Crews told the AJC. “Those were difficult for us. I knew we had kids who were awfully hard-working kids and determined to change around the poor attitudes we’d experienced.”
The Broncos handled a strong Collins Hill team in the semis, winning 26-7. Their offense was great as usual, with consistent quarterback Ben McClane pulling the strings in the passing game. Jamaal Cole had 94 yards rushing and two scores, while Nick Tompkins also had 102 yards on 21 carries. The duo will go down as one of the best in Brookwood history, and are the first pair of rushers to top 1,000 yards for the school since 2002.
Brookwood is also a force defensively. They held Collins Hill and vaunted quarterback Taylor Heinicke to just seven points, giving up yards but not points. A big reason for that was Nick Moore, who had his eight and ninth interceptions of the season.
“What a phenomenal year he’s had,” Crews told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “I’m proud of the way he’s played the last five or six games. As he goes, our defense goes.”
PACK OF CHAMPS …
The seniors at Buford have the opportunity to do something many would call inconceivable in today’s game: win a state championship in all four of their years at the school.
In order to do that, they’ll have to go through the team that gave them fits at the Georgia Dome last year: Calhoun. In fact, it will be the third straight year the two will hook up in the state championship game.
“It is special,” Buford coach Jess Simpson told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “Calhoun is a great football town. They’ll fill up their side of the Dome, and we’ve had a great rivalry with them with two unbelievable games. Friday should be no exception.”
The Yellow Jackets lost just 13-10 last year. Such a close final score is a rarity for Buford. They have beaten their opponents by four touchdowns on average this season.
PATRIOT PARTY …
Sandy Creek won their first state title in 2009. The 14-0 Fighting Patriots will go for No. 2 against Carrollton on Saturday.
Quarterback Ronnie Bell has thrown for over 2,000 yards this season, and has star Alex Chisum on the outside to throw to. That combo just may be the best the state has to offer.
““Ronnie Bell, like I said, is the best quarterback there is in the state,” head coach Chip Walker told the Times-Georgian. “And Alex Chisum is the best wideout. The combination is pretty deadly.”
The defense is as good as any with a fearless linebacking core that features Chad Johnston, Stefan Austin and Mike Hilton, who leads the team in interceptions.
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