FLOWERY BRANCH - Usually high school football coaches don't want their teams thinking ahead, especially when it comes to something like playing in the Georgia Dome. Not Flowery Branch coach Lee Shaw.
The Falcons coach not only mentioned the D-word this week, but he's told his team, which will play Dougherty Friday night in Albany for a shot at the Class AAA semifinals next week in the Dome, to embrace the thought of playing at the home of the Atlanta Falcons next week.
"To play in the Dome is a great motivating factor and I want them thinking about it," Shaw said. "That's what is the driving force that could possibly get us through the next round. The reality is that we are playing in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and the motivation is to get to the next round, which is the Dome."
Every game since the end of the regular season has been uncharted territory for the Falcons (11-1) who are making the most so far of their first-ever trip to the state playoffs in their brief four-year history.
Home has been nice for the Falcons, where they have won their first two playoff games, including a 30-7 win over Central-Carroll last week. Now they face their first-ever road game.
Flowery Branch has been just as tough on the road this season going 5-1 with its only loss coming to Gainesville. But Dougherty has won eight straight at home and is 10-2 at home over the past two seasons.
But Dougherty coach Carror Wright said where they play doesn't matter.
"I don't think there's any real home field advantage because everyone at this stage is an excellent team," he said. "If you want to win championships you have to win on the road at some point. Flowery Branch is an outstanding team so we'll have to play our best game of the season to win, no matter that we're at home."
Dougherty (11-1) got to the quarterfinals beating Thomson 28-7 last week in the second round. The Trojans are looking for their first trip to the Dome since 1998 when they came away with the state title.
It should be a great matchup on the field no matter which team has the ball.
The Flowery Branch offense has been trying to catch up to its defense scoring 30 or more points in four of the last five games.
Sophomore quarterback Jaybo Shaw leads the attack with 866 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. He's thrown for another 869 yards and seven touchdowns.
Aaron Shaw leads the ground attack with 954 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Devin Reed leads the team in receptions with 463 yards and four touchdowns.
The Dougherty defense, however, has allowed just 62 points over its last seven games.
On the other side, the Falcons defense has allowed just 89 points the entire season while Dougherty is averaging 34 points a game for the season.
Ty Schnepper, Reed, Kevin McConnell and David Mendez lead the Falcons defense.
Shaw, whose team practices across the street from the Atlanta Falcons, said they could see Dougherty's version of Michael Vick in senior quarterback Ronnye Nelson.
"He's very Vick-ish in that he has tremendous speed, can throw the ball accurately and a long way and can break down any defense on any play with his ability to make plays out of nothing," Shaw said. "It was scary to watch on film and that will be the key. We have to contain him."
Wright said the Falcons offense may hold the key to the game.
"They do a great job with that option and the quarterback doesn't make mistakes and makes good decisions. They are a very well-coached team," he said. "If they're able to hold the ball for long drives and get points, we'll be in trouble."
Shaw said they will have to get points when they get into Trojans' territory.
"They are so explosive that when we have a chance to put points on the board we have to execute," he said. "They have the ability to score on any play so we can't waste any opportunity we get. This will be our biggest challenge this season."
But, if the Falcons can slow the Trojans' version of Michael Vick, then they'll get a chance to play at the home of the real Vick next week.
(By Jeff Hart)
Sunday
March 9th, 2025
2:43PM
