Two years ago Region 7-AAA was unceremoniously swept out of the state playoffs in the first round.
One big reason for the shutout was a lack of offensive punch. In fact, three of 7-AAA's four playoff representatives teams scored 18 or fewer points in the postseason.
If regular season form holds, however, that should most definitely not be the case in 2016, as the region boasts an impressive offensive turnaround from that nadir. Let's start with these numbers: 71, 69, 68, 63, 63, 61.
Those were the top six scoring games by teams in 7-AAA this season -- by five different teams. Four different teams produced single-game tallies of 50 or more. And there were 11 40-point totals or more by all seven teams and 17 games of 30 or more. There are 57 total teams in Class AAA. Six of the top 23 offenses, in terms of points scored, now reside in 7-AAA -- the most of any one region. And all four of the playoff-bound teams are among that grouping.
While matchups often prove the crucial element in the playoffs, the rest of Class AAA should avoid bringing field goals to the touchdown battle when they take on any of the 7-AAA teams in this year’s bracket.
Consider that the No. 3 seed out of 7-AAA, Union County, is third in all of Class AAA with 406 points (40.6 points per game) and has topped 35 or more eight times, 40 or more five times, 50 or more three times, and 60 or more twice.
“I think the players are better and teams are playing fast and no-huddle,” Union County coach Brian Allison said. “It may be also that the defenses (in 7-AAA) may not be where they should be. But, when you can run over 90 plays a game, which we’ve done a few times, it really puts a lot of pressure on the defense. The defenses get tired.”
No. 1-ranked and 7-AAA No. 1 seed Greater Atlanta Christian is fourth in points (393, 39.3 ppg) and has hit 50 or more twice and 60 or more once. Second-seeded Dawson County is 11th (352, 39.1 ppg) and has scored 40 or more five times and 50 or more three times. And No. 4 seed North Hall is 21st in scoring (292, 29.2 ppg) and is the lone wing-T offense in the bunch. But the Trojans are not afraid of a shootout either, scoring 28 points or more seven times, including posting 68 in a win over East Hall.
East Hall finished 14th in AAA, Fannin County 23rd, and Lumpkin County 34th. That’s all seven teams in the top 34. No other region comes close to those kinds of numbers.
Dawson County coach Sid Maxwell, just in his second season in Dawsonville, said the quality of quarterbacks in the region may be another factor.
From Brad Davis at Fannin County to Austin Parker at East Hall, Cole Wright at Union County, Coey Watson at Dawson County, and arguably the nation’s No. 1 QB prospect in Davis Mills at Greater Atlanta Christian, there has been no rest for any of the region's defenses.
“There is a good group of quarterbacks in this region. Every team has a solid guy taking snaps that can throw,” Maxwell said. “Sometimes your best defense is an offense that can consistently score. I think that’s what we saw this year in this region.”
North Hall's power running, wing-T offense may not run 90 plays a game like its fellow 7-AAA playoff comrades -- but is also no less potent.
Kyle Bacus (1,554 yards) was fourth in the state in rushing before Friday’s season finales, and the Trojans average nearly 300 yards a game on the ground. They routed East Hall 68-42 in their finale two weeks ago, the third-highest scoring game by any team in the region.
“For us it’s a little different,” North Hall coach David Bishop said. “We try to slow the game down but when we execute our offense right, we have the ability to break one at any time. If we can make stops against a team that likes to go fast then we can get more plays and wear down their defense.”
However, 7-AAA matches up with Region 5-AAA in the the first round -- which also may be the only region that can match offenses with 7-AAA.
North Hall drew a tough task against defending Class AAA champion Westminster. Union County travels to Cedar Grove out of Dekalb County; Dawson County plays host to Lovett; and GAC plays host to Pace Academy, the defending Class AA champion, in the first round.
But you won’t hear any of the coaches complaining, or feeling they are outgunned this time around.
“(Region) 5-AAA is loaded,” Bishop said. “But, I don’t think 7-AAA is going to get swept this time, and not just because of GAC. We see some things on (Westminster’s) defense we feel we can take advantage of. But we’re going to have to execute and not make mistakes or have turnovers. But I think we’ll be able to put some points on the board.”
“I think all of us are going to be very competitive,” Maxwell added. “When you can score first and consistently you can sow those seeds of doubt in the other team. It may be the two best regions in the first round playing each other but I think (7-AAA) will have some success.”
Allison said they may have the toughest matchup of all but also thinks they will have some opportunities. The Saints feature five Division I prospects on their offense alone. Their only region loss came to Westminster (42-21), and they have averaged 53.7 points in their last four games.
“Cedar Grove may be the most athletic team in Class AAA,” Allison said. “They have a bunch of talent on their offense. But I also see some areas where I think we can have some success (against their defense). The key will be stopping their run game and our (offensive) line opening up our run game.
“But as good as that region is I also don’t think they have an easy matchup with our region. I think (7-AAA) is better this time around. We’ll find out on Friday.”
