NORCROSS - Despite putting up big numbers on offense, it's the defense that will decide whether Wesleyan can get by Charlton County in the Class AA quarterfinals Friday night.
The winner advances to next week's semifinals at the Georgia Dome.
Wesleyan coach Will Jackson said his defensive unit has played very well. Over the last three games the Wolves (10-2) have given up just 14 points, including a 28-0 beating of Calhoun last week in the second round of the playoffs.
"We've been very pleased overall with our defensive play," Jackson said. "We've given up some points late in games but that's because we were giving a lot of our younger players some experience."
The task will be a tough one for the Wolves defense this week, however. Not since a 43-3 loss to Buford in October have they faced this explosive of an offense.
The Indians (10-2) feature a shot-gun spread passing attack and have scored 40 or more points six times, 50 or more three times and 60-plus points twice. They have won eight straight and their only losses came to Class AAAAA Camden County (34-7) and Valdosta (38-14).
"They can really throw the ball and move it down field. They have five good receivers that are all over the field and their quarterback knows how to find them. This is a huge test for us," Jackson said.
But the Charlton defense could be just as dominant as the offense. They held a Mitchell -Baker team that came in averaging over 36 points a game to just over 150 yards offense in a 20-0 win.
"It's a very tough unit. They're fast and hit hard," Jackson said.
The Wolves have been efficient on offense in the playoffs scoring 29.5 points a game but they came in averaging nearly 43 points in the three previous games, 37.5 over the last five games.
"We're going to have to find a way to move the ball and keep it away from them," Jackson said. "If the offense can't hold on to the ball for long stretches our defense will eventually crack. That's the key to us winning."
Saturday
July 5th, 2025
10:01AM
