We are deep into the football playoffs in both Georgia and South Carolina, and we still have eight area teams battling for state titles. Seven of those teams will be in action this weekend (Thomas Jefferson Academy gets a week off before playing the GISA Class AA state title game Dec. 3 in Macon).
I also came back down to earth on my picks. After going 22-1 two weeks ago, I was just 11-4 this past weekend, bringing my season total to 153-37, good for 80.5%.
Here is a look at this week’s games involving area teams.
South Carolina
Class A Semi-Finals
Bamberg-Ehrhardt (13-0) vs. C.E. Murray (7-1)
Last Week: Bamberg crushed Baptist Hill 33-7. C.E. Murray rolled past Whale Branch 47-0
C.E. Murray boasts a great running duo in seniors Quentarius Grant and Tyree Prunes. The two have combined for 24 touchdowns in just eight games. However, they will be running against one of the state’s top defenders in Jerome Simmons. Simmons has 72 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble Recoveries, and a pair of defensive TDs.
Prediction: Bamberg-Ehrhardt 34, C.E. Murray 17
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Class AA Semi-Finals
Silver Bluff (11-0) vs. Barnwell (9-4)
Last Week: Silver Bluff hammered Cheraw 56-14. Barnwell topped Philip Simmons 42-27
This matchup features two of the best running backs in South Carolina in Barnwell junior Tyler Smith and Silver Bluff sophomore Traveon Dunbar. Smith piled up over 300 yards last week in the Warhorses’ quarterfinal win and for the season has amassed 2,007 yards and 27 TDs on 254 carries. Dunbar raced his way to 265 yards last week and, in just 17 varsity games, already has over 40 rushing touchdowns.
The two teams met in the regular season and Barnwell led 20-14 at the half. However, Silver Bluff scored 41 unanswered points in the second half to pick up the 55-20 victory. Also, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 475-55 on the season and appear destined for a state crown.
Prediction: Silver Bluff 47, Barnwell 21
Georgia
Class A (Public) Quarterfinals
Warren Co. (9-3) vs. Brooks Co. (9-2)
Last Week: Warren Co. topped Pelham 26-7 / Brooks Co. beat Wash-Wilkes 61-28
Warren Co. is enjoying a fantastic season and has rushed for over 3,200 yards and 38 rushing TDs. However, Brooks Co.’s offense is just different. They average 47.5 points per game with junior QB Jamal Sanders at the helm. Sanders has thrown for 24 touchdowns and rushed for another 11. Running back Omari Arnold has racked up 1,822 yards and 29 touchdowns on 157 carries and the receiving duo of Willie Brown (41 catches, 922 yards and eight TDs) and Tramaine Demps (23 catches, 51 yards and 12 touchdowns) has been unstoppable.
Prediction: Brooks Co. 54, Warren Co. 27
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Class AAA Quarterfinals
Burke Co. (9-2) vs. Carver-Atlanta (10-2)
Carver features a pair of 1,000 yard running backs in Jarveous Brown (135 carries, 1,403 yards and eight TDs) and Quintavious Lockett (85 carries, 1,146 yards and 13 TDs). As a team, they average over 11 yards per carry. They will face off with Burke Co. stud defensive lineman Ivan Arroyo. Arroyo, a transfer from Hephzibah, has 99 tackles, 10 sacks and an incredible nine forced fumbles this season.
Prediction: Carver-Atlanta 38, Burke Co. 32
Thomson (11-0) vs. Appling Co.
Last Week: Thomson edged a very good Ringgold team 14-7. Appling Co. beat Cherokee Bluff 34-20
This is an excellent matchup. Appling County Averages 35.6 points per game and yields only 9.3. Thomson averages 36.1 points per contest while allowing only 7.4. The Bulldogs have not had a breakout game in the post-season… I think they do this week.
Prediction: Thomson 27, Appling Co. 19
GISA Class AA – Semi-Finals
Edmund Burke (4-7) vs. Terrell Academy (10-1)
Last Week: Edmund Burke edged Briarwood 21-20. Terrell Academy beat Augusta Prep 37-7
Edmund Burke has made a great run but beating Terrell Academy would be a tall order. Terrell has a high-powered offense that produces 43 points per game.
Prediction: Terrell Academy 38, Edmund Burke 20
Ashley Brown covers sports for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Ashley.brown@theaugustapress.com
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