Here's a look at five things we learned from the state quarterfinal round of the high school football playoffs...
1. Regions 7-AAAA, 8-A make cases for best in the state
We already had an idea how strong these two leagues were during the regular season, and they only confirmed it this week, as two teams from each region reached the state semifinals. Unfortunately none of the teams that made it -- Blessed Trinity and Marist in Class AAAA and Athens Academy and Prince Avenue Christian in Class A Private -- are teams in our coverage area. But it says what a task the teams in 7-AAAA and 8-A that are in our coverage area face. And if teams like Chestatee, West Hall and White County in 7-AAAA and Commerce, Lakeview, Riverside Military and Towns County in 8-A can progress through their regions you know that big things are on the way for those programs. In fact, the teams we cover in those regions will be made better by even facing consistent competition of that caliber. By the way only Regions 2-A and 1-AAAAAA can make the same boast of making up half of their respective classifications Final Four. Clinch County and Irwin County each made the Class A Public semifinals, and Coffee County and Lee County reached the Class AAAAAA semis.
2. Pace proves Rabun County's biggest weapon
In the days leading up to their third straight state quarterfinal contest, Wildcats coaches felt they had an edge -- and not just because of standout players like Bailey Fisher, Austin Jones and Braxton Hicks (to name but a few). No it was more down to their collective abilities and the method in which they put those abilities to use that gave the entire program an added confidence -- namely pace. The fact that Rabun County routinely plays fast -- tries to cram as many offensive snaps as possible into the game, and does so without allowing the defense precious extra seconds -- produces a cumulative effect on most opponents. We saw that in spades on Friday, as the Wildcats blitzed Screven County in the second half, pulling away from a 21-14 halftime advantage with 35 unanswered points. Rabun's defense is also built to play with and withstand pace, so it won't be caught with its collective tongue hanging out at key moments. Not every team does or even can play like that, but it's that ability that has helped Rabun to make history and make its first ever state semifinal.
3. Buford in a perfect place psychologically
There were moments on Friday when it looked as if Buford's dream of a rematch with Rome was slipping away. Down 14-0 in the first half and 7-0 almost immediately (on the Wolves' first offensive play from scrimmage), a weak-willed team would have collapsed. Instead, Buford rolled up its sleeves and stuck to the the principals that have served the Wolves so well over the past two-plus decades -- namely dominate the line of scrimmage. Despite a slow start, Buford never allowed Stockbridge to control the game, as they bottled the Tigers previously dominant rushing attack (aside from one 74-yard scamper in the first half). In fact, those 74 yards accounted for all but 24 of the Tigers total rushing numbers. Meanwhile, the Wolves continued to pound the ball offensively, mixing the pass to keep a stout Stockbridge defense honest as they rushed for 200 yards. The success of that plan against a team ranked No. 2 in the state (one above Buford's No. 3), while also surviving a brutal road test, will have Buford champing at the bit for another showdown with Rome -- the team that knocked out the Wolves in the Georgia Dome last season.
4. North Gwinnett running back Tyler Goodson exploding into stardom
The Bulldogs do not possess the kind of highly-recruited talent -- other than mammoth offensive lineman Warren Ericson (Georgia-commit) and injured Texas A&M-commit Cade Fortin (quarterback) -- like a Gryason or Archer or even Marietta, which featured four Division I prospects on offense alone. But they do have junior running back in Tyler Goodson that must have drawn the attention of scouts and Class 7A coaches alike after torching the Blue Devils for 260 yards and three touchdowns in last week's wild, 51-41 Bulldogs win in the quarterfinals. That effort followed a 132-yard, 3 TD game in a second round win over Grayson. In today's fast tempo, high-scoring football, most teams look to their passing game for the big plays. Not necessarily so for North Gwinnett. When the Bulldogs need a big play, they give it to Goodson. He had seven runs of 15 yards or more last week, including a 37-yarder and a 16-yarder on consecutive plays to fuel what turned out to be a game-saving drive late in the fourth quarter. Every time the Bulldogs needed something, Goodson delivered. The Bulldogs play host to McEachern this week and another effort like that from Goodson and the Bulldogs could yield the program's first state title game appearance since 2013.
5. Jefferson bids adieu to special senior class
No the Dragons did not make the postseason trek they so longed for in reaching the state quarterfinals before being knocked out. But, once the pain of defeat subsides, Jefferson can look back with pride on its accomplishments -- most especially the Dragons' senior class. The group inherited a strong program and only made it stronger. The class of 2017 exits with a career record of 44-8, including one state semifinal and two quarterfinal appearances, along with two region titles. Their "worst" season was a 10-2, Sweet 16 performance in 2015. By comparison, the immortal 2012 senior class that captured the program's first state crown, graduated with a career mark of 39-9. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the legacy that the current seniors leave. When they entered high school, Jefferson was a good program on the rise with a truly great season (2012). Now the Dragons are one of the power programs in all of the state, one that expects to make deep playoff runs and win region titles with regularity. This senior class also includes some great players, including the top rusher in program history. Colby Wood, who rushed for 5,786 yards and 79 TDs (15th most in state history) at Jefferson, has terrorized opposing defenses (as well as opposing receivers -- because he's a really good defensive back too) for years now, and plenty of people outside the Jefferson program won't be sad to see him go. We're going to miss watching him and his fellow seniors, however.
STATE QUARTERFINAL SCORES, NOV. 24
CLASS AAAAAAA
North Gwinnett 51, Marietta 41
CLASS AAAAA
Buford 20, Stockbridge 17
CLASS AAAA
Mary Persons 51, Jefferson 32
CLASS AA
Rabun County 56, Screven County 14
STATE SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE, DEC. 1
CLASS AAAAAAA
McEachern at North Gwinnett
CLASS AAAAA
Buford at Rome
CLASS AA
Brooks County at Rabun County
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/11/609283/5-things-what-we-learned-from-the-state-football-quarterfinals