Playoff 2nd Rd: Class A Div 1 Matchups/Players to Watch (Pt 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We take a look at the matchups on the right side of the bracket, which includes a lot of the favorites to win the Class A Div 1 Title. I have included a player to watch on each team that could be a game changer on Friday Night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#19 Elbert County at #3 Heard County</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elbert County (6-5) erased a 13-0 deficit last week, scoring 28 unanswered points , to beat Gordon Lee to advance. Heard County (9-2) is on a roll after dropping 2 of their 1st 4 games (Murphy (NC) and Bowdon) and won the Region 6-1A Region Title handedly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1637234' first='Jacari' last='Barnett']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Elbert County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b64b5ab3c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnett has been a workhorse for the Blue Devils this season and eclipsed the 1000 -yd mark for the 2nd consecutive year. He rushed for close to 1200 yards and averaged 6.6 ypc, scoring 16 TDs during the regular season. The Senior back had a season high 198 yards with 4 TDs in a win over Prince Ave Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has outstanding footwork and is able to change direction on a dime in traffic. Great vision and explodes through holes with breakaway speed at the 2nd level. Does the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet, good pass blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1st Team All Region selection that is a good student off the field in the classroom. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["315480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b64b5ab42d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tisdale has had a breakout Sophomore season and will find himself in the next Prep Redzone rankings this Spring. The 6'1 174 QB is one of the top dual threat QBs in the 2027 in any class. He combined for over 3000 total yards this season with 40 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good game manager with a high football IQ. Was very efficient this season throwing only 4 INTs in 166 attempts. He averaged over 8 ypc when he tucked and ran, scoring 21 rushing TDs. Completed 13 of 15 passes with a season high 247 yards passing in their 1st Round win over McNair. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tisdale has seen his recruiting pick up, catching the attention of major P4 programs. Stock Riser. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#11 Commerce at #6 Toombs County</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Commerce (8-3) survived a 1st Round shootout defeating Bremen 35-28 to advance. Toombs County (9-1) is the #1 Ranked team by AJC and if not for a late season loss to Savannah Christian they would have the overall #1 seed in the tournament. They defeated SW Macon 62-8 in the 1st Round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jacari Huff","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Commerce ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b64b5ab4b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'11 170 RB is one of 3 1000-yd rushers on the Tigers this season. Tough, physical back that has great vision at the line of scrimmage. He churns his legs and keeps his feet moving and has break away speed when he gets in the open field. He returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD in last weeks playoff opening win over Bremen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huff received an offer from Point University back over the Summer and is worth a look for a program looking for a physical back with speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340536"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b64b5ab4fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The University of Tennessee commit is the #2 Ranked DB prospect and a Top 20 overall prospect by Prep Redzone. Sure handed receiver and the top target for [player_tooltip player_id='1198739' first='TJ' last='Stanley'] this season, catching 39 passes for 473 yards with 7 TDs. Opposing teams tend to shy away from throwing his direction but he did lead the team with 5 pass deflections and had a INT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A natural athlete that has high football IQ. He will fit in nicely in Knoxville no matter what side of the ball he ends up playing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#10 Temple at #7 Thomasville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Temple Tigers (9-2) are riding the momentum of having only their 2nd playoff win in program history, and 1st at home, with a 40-27 win over Putnam County. They will make the trip South to Thomasville (9-2) who are the #4 ranked team by AJC and advanced with a 48-6 win over Bacon County. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1637224' first='CJ' last='Gray']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Temple","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b64b5ab57d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'10 190 Senior is one of the most overlooked RB in our Area. He eclipsed the 1000-yd mark for the 2nd consecutive year rushing for 1249 yards with 17 TDs and averaged close to 8 ypc. He had a season high 217 yards with 3 TDs in a win over Pepperell. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coachable player who is a great teammate on and off the field. Tough North South runner that keeps his balance well after contact and can run people over. Has the speed to get free in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has 4 offers to this point and is worth an evaluation for a program looking for a physical back with a big upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Geremiah Humbert","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"5926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Thomasville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b64b5ab5ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Outstanding Edge rusher for the Bulldogs that i believe projects to a LB at the next level. Good size and length at 6'2 205, Humbert had 44 TT with 7 TFL and 4 sacks this season for Thomasville. He had a season high 2 sacks with 7 QB hurries in the 1st Rd win over Bacon Co. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quick and athletic, gets out of his stance fast and blows by bigger OL. 2x 1st Team All Region selection, gets it done in the classroom and in multiple sports. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has received 4 offers so far with Berry College and Shorter University being the latest to extend an offer. A steal this signing period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#15 Jasper County at #2 Dublin</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jasper County Hurricanes (8-3) qualified for the 2nd Rd for the first time since 1992 with a 41-31 win over ACE Charter. Dublin (11-0), the #2 ranked team by the AJC, made a statement in the 1st Rd with a 63-9 win over Gordon Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jalen Stewart","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Jasper County ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b8df95cb9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The old statement "Its not the size of the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog" is so true with Stewart. The 5'6 170 RB had a breakout Senior season rushing for 1253 yards, averaging 7.7 ypc, and scored 13 TDs. Ran for 147 yards on 12 carries in the 1st Rd win over ACE. For Jasper County to pull the upset Friday they will have to rely on the legs of Stewart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You would assume at his size he was a end around runner but Stewart does a great job running between the tackles. Great balance and maintains his balance well after contact. Has breakaway speed when he gets to the 2nd level. Good patience and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Xavier Bostic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dublin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b8df95cc2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The one thing you know is the Irish are going to run the ball. They have 3 RB's right around the 1000-yard mark and each averaging close to 10 yards a carry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bostic led the way in '24 with 1121 yards with 19 TDs and averaged over 11 yards per carry. He had an outstanding 1st Rd game rushing 8 times for 173 yards and 4 TDs in the win over Gordon Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong, physical guy that squats over 400 pounds and has the quickness and good footwork to make defenders miss in space. Bostic has the advantage of running behind a big and skilled OL and does a good job accelerating through the open holes. The running back trio will be well know if the Irish continue on their expected long playoff run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->