Playoff BREAKDOWN: Massive 3A Matchups This Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're finally in the elite 8 in the Georgia high school playoffs, and in today's story we break down the final four games in 3A for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Calvary Dat at Wesleyan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calvary Day is a top program in Savannah that has dominated just about everyone in their path so far in 2023. Led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='165716' first='Jake' last='Merklinger'], this talented Calvary Day squad is 12-0 and might be the favorite to win 3A right now after a comfortable 49-0 win over Thomasville. They can light up the score board, but they also have one of the toughest and most dominant defenses in the Savannah area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wesleyan is a program in metro-Atlanta that just knows how to win. At 9-3, they may not scare anyone the rest of the way, but they are a well-coached group that has won six games in a row. It's not always easy, but Wesleyan is a team that finds a way to get the job done. They'll have their hands full with Calvary Day, but no matter what happens, this will be a season to remember for the Wolves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mary Persons vs. Cedar Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mary Persons Bulldogs are currently 11-1 and have run on just about everyone this year thanks to outstanding senior tailback, [player_tooltip player_id='325154' first='Duke' last='Watson']. The big-time back has carries the load for Mary Persons this fall with his 1,627 rushing yards and an eye-opening 29 touchdowns. They're stout defensively, holding opponents to 7 or less points five times this year. This is a team on a mission and one that's won 10 straight games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints of Cedar Grove are always playing this time of the year. They had a tough, reliable junior running back in [player_tooltip player_id='338654' first='Bo' last='Walker'] who has the ability to take over games, but they've given up big points defensively at times. They're starting to play better, and there's still lots of talent on the roster, but they know they need to bring their "A" game to come out with a win over a tough, physical Mary Persons team. The Saints know how to play well this time of the year, and they can light up the score board on offense. We'll see if the defense can make enough stops with the game on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lumpkin County vs Savannah Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A breakout team in 3A this season, Lumpkin County has been terrific offensively all season long and it's a big reason why they head into the third round with an undefeated 12-0 record. Senior Mason Sullens has run wild this season for 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='670311' first='Cal' last='Faulkner'] making plenty of plays with both his arms and legs. They've scored at least 30 points in every game this season and don't appear to be slowing down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Savannah Christian is loaded with talent, especially on defense, and have one of the top running backs in the Savannah area on the roster. Zo Smalls is a tough, physical back who runs hard and breaks tackles. He carries them on offense, and the talented defense does the rest. They're sitting at 10-2 heading into this game and have won their last seven. They've scored at least 40 points in six of their last seven games and are playing great football right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monroe Area vs. Carver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Purple Hurricanes have scratched and crawled their way to the third round and are finally playing their best football of the season. It's been an up and down year at times, but they're fought hard and find themselves knocking on the door of a possible 3A state title game. They'll need to play their best game of the season if they want to make it happen. They know how to win tight, close games, and they deserve a lot of credit for that. They run the ball effectively and know how to make ket stops on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carver is another team that can run the football at will, rushing for over 220 yards per game so far in the 2023 season. At 9-3, they know how to win some tough, tight, gritty games, which is exactly what they did last weekend when they took down Upson-Lee 8-7. They lose three consecutive games earlier in the season, but they've been locked in and have played really good football over the last several weeks. They're a team on the rise, and they're hoping they can close strong with a special season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->