GHSA Playoffs Round 2 Predictions: Fannin, Haralson, Dawson and more…
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports November 15, 2021
Last week, our local areas teams had some tough matchups in the first round of the GHSA Playoffs, and we only have 3 teams left standing.
Fannin, Haralson and Dawson County all made it through to the second round.
In this article, we are going to take an inside look and preview these teams second round matchups, as well as take a look at some matchups that are outside of our coverage area.
Round 2 AA Matchups
Fannin vs Fitzgerald
If you recall, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes were the team that bounced Fannin County from the third round of the State Playoffs last year in a 48-14 route. Fitzgerald would eventually go on to the State Championship and lose to Callaway.
This year things should be different for the boys from Blue Ridge. They caught the Purple Hurricanes at the wrong time last year, as they were injury ridden and just couldn’t seem to catch a break. This year, the Rebels are as healthy as a team can be at this point in the season and things seem to be coming together at the right time. Even though Fannin County has only lost one game all season and is riding a 9 game winning streak, they still can’t get any love in the rankings. MaxPreps has them ranked as the thirteenth best team in the AA classification, and the Rebels seem to have a chip on their shoulder this year as they’ve set out to prove everyone wrong. Heck, the weren’t even picked to win their Region yet here they are.
As far as Fitzgerald is concerned, they will come into Friday nights game hailed as the 3rd ranked team in AA. They are 9-2 on the year, and their lone region loss came against Thomasville who is the top ranked AA football team in Georgia. Some names to watch out for on the Purple Hurricanes: Daniel James and EJ Lightsey. James is a 6 foot 1 defensive end and linebacker who can reek havoc in the backfield, as can his counterpart Lightsey, who is a 6 foot 2, 220 pound linebacker who is committed to play college fotball at the University of Florida.
This game is going to be decided by who’s defense breaks first. Both teams strengths are in their defense, and whichever one gives up the big play, we could see that costing their team the game. I do not think this will be a high scoring affair, and if Fannin can keep it close up into the fourth quarter, they just might be able to pull off the upset. The fact that this is a home game for the Rebels will also play heavily in their favor.
CalPreps Prediction: Fitzgerald 31 Fannin 7
Haralson vs Northeast
This could be the best game in all of GHSA AA football on Friday night. CalPreps has this game projected as a 21-20 Haralson County win, and that is in large part to the way that Rebels QB Clay Hyatt has been playing lately. In games against Bowdon, Model and Banks County, Hyatt has rushed for 534 yards and 6 touchdowns. In those games however, Hyatt only threw the football 8 times total, which could hurt the Rebels offensively against Northeast if they become one dimensional.
As for Northeast, they come into this matchup at 8-3 on the year. They are currently ranked 7th in AA, and will be looking to pull off the upset over 5th ranked Haralson. Northeast has a pretty solid senior QB in Travion Solomon. Solomon has thrown for over 5,000 yards in his high school career (1,339 this year), and he is very careful with the football as he has thrown for 9 TDs this year while only turning the ball over twice.
This one could go either way, and if you’re a high school football fan, you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes on this game.
CalPreps Prediction: Haralson 21 Northeast 20
Lovett vs Putnam County
The winner of this one will face the winner of Fannin-Fitzgerald which we previewed earlier. Lovett had a big win last week over Union County, and Putnam kept their undefeated season alive with a 62-7 win over East Laurens. This should be another close game, and we should really get to see whether Putnams undefeated regular season was due all to their weaker strength of schedule, or because they are the real deal.
CalPreps Prediction: Putnam 28 Lovett 19
Rabun County vs Jeff Davis
The Rabun County Wildcats will look to prove to everyone they are worthy of the number 2 ranking that they hold when they face off against Jeff Davis on Friday night.
CalPreps Prediction: Rabun 39 Jeff Davis 18
Round 2 AAA Matchups
Dawson County vs Pierce County
The Dawson County Tigers got it done in the first round with a 36-27 victory over Sandy Creek. They have a very tall task ahead of them this week in the second round against Pierce County, the fourth ranked team in triple A. Pierce County is a 20 point favorite in this one, but who knows, maybe Sid Maxwell and his Tigers have something up their sleeves and can pull off an incredible upset.
CalPreps Predictions: Pierce County 33 Dawson County 13
Rebels Advance- Host State Quarterfinals on 12/11
FCHS Football, Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports December 5, 2020
Blue Ridge, Ga- The Fannin County Rebels played in a Sweet 16, second round state playoff game Friday night for the first time since 1995.
They played host to the Region 5 number 2 seed Heard County Braves. The Braves came into the contest boasting an 8-4 record. Two of their losses came against bigger schools in Cedartown and Central. One came in overtime against Temple, and the other in their last regular season game against number 8 AJC ranked Callaway.
The Braves also have one of the best defensive players in the state of Georgia at the Linebacker position. Chief Borders is a 6-foot-4, 240 pound, University of Florida commit that some thought would help the Braves shut down the Rebels offense.
That was not the case.
The Rebels were able to best the Braves, 21-14 and advance to the quarterfinals next week. The Rebels will host the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes in a battle of unbeatens next Friday night in Blue Ridge.
Game Notes- Junior do-it-all athlete Seth Reece had a huge night once again for the Rebels scoring 2 touchdowns, including a 48 yard game winner.
Seth Reece scampers into the endzone for the game winning TD
-Senior Quarterback Luke Holloway was able to find Andre Bivens in the third quarter to tie the game up at 14 all.
Luke Holloway fires off a pass
-The Rebels were plagued with a few injuries Friday night, which is why we didn’t get to see a lot of number 4 Cohutta Hyde on the field. Cohutta not being on the field meant that Carson Collis and Andrew Bivens were going to see a lot of action, and boy did they come through big for the Rebels when their team needed them to. A couple of big pass breakups and deflections by both of those guys forced Heard County into some long third down situations and ultimately won the football game for Fannin.
Carson Collis catches a pass in pregame warm-ups
-Cason Owensby and the entire Rebel D stopped the Braves at the 20 yard line on their last drive of the game and sealed the deal, allowing Fannin to come away with the victory in regulation.
Rebel D looks to make a stand
-Jalen Ingram had a pretty good night receiving, but he made arguably his biggest impact punting the football. Luke Holloway has been the Rebels punter all year, but because of some nagging injuries Ingram took over and did an amazing job. He flipped the field more than a few times for the Rebs.
Ingram punts the ball away
#TeamFYNsports invites all Rebel fans and surrounding area football fans to show up and show out next Friday night in Fannin County! It will be a huge game for the Rebels as the undefeated, Number 1 ranked Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes come to town!