Playoffs: Class 4A 1st Round Upset Alerts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1st Round of the GHSA playoffs begin this Friday after taking a Bye Week this last Friday. Below are 3 teams in Class 4A that I think have a chance to pull an "upset", a lower seed beating a higher seed, during this 1st Round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Region 1 Team 3) Ware County at (Region 8 Team 2) Flowery Branch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ware County is one of the surprising 3-Seed teams in the bracket. Their only loss prior to Week 9 was a 3 point loss to Benedictine and were sitting comfortable in the Top 10. The upset loss to Warner Robins in Week 9 (48-44) put the Gators on the road in the 1st Rd as a 3 seed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performers </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866705"],"_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-691216f24e59d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1 185 WR had an outstanding Senior Season with 51 receptions for 844 yards with 7 TDs. Rice is dangerous as a kick returner for the Gators, adding nearly 200 return yards on the year. He can stretch the field and is good with the ball in his hands creating YAC. If Ware Co pulls the upset on Friday, Rice will have to be big part of the game plan keeping the Falcon defense honest and not crowing the LOS. Savannah State extended an offer recently and Rice is just starting to get some traction in the recruiting world. A good playoff run will go a long way in increasing his exposure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212309"],"_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-691216f24e684"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1 210 RB has size, speed and power and is a tough guy to bring down for 4 quarters. A good runner between the tackles for who isn't afraid to put his head down and get a few yards but posses the speed to break away and take the ball to the house. A strong kid, solid, that takes a toll on the defense hit after hit. Franklin rushed for close to 900 yds this season with 17 TDs while splitting carries with fellow Senior Jamir Boyd and has recently received his latest offer from Fort Valley State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Region 6- 3) Blessed Trinity at (Region 2-2) Stockbridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-4 record may be a little shocking to see for us that are used to seeing BT 10-0 at the end of season. Their losses have come in close contest over highly ranked competition. Milton (21-10), Hebron (22-17), Kell (3-0) and Cambridge (31-28) all Championship hopeful teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283775"],"_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-691216f24e766"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'11 195 RB has back to back 1000 yd rushing seasons for BT. Pitts has a good combination of speed, quickness in space, and toughness and is a dangerous return man. Pitts proved in the final game of the season that he could step up and carry the load if asked. He carried the ball a season high 37 times for 227 yards and scored 3 TDs in the 31-28 loss to Cambridge. Prep Redzone has Pitts ranked as the #39 RB in the 2026 Class and a good post season run will go along way in creating some traction in the recruiting world. </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":"Quinn Davis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blessed Trinity","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-691216f24e968"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blessed Trinity spreads the ball around to a lot of different receivers but Davis was the leader this season with 32 catches for 480 yards with 3 TDs. Davis is gritty and an outstanding route runner that doesn't hesitate catching the ball in traffic. He is physical with ball in his hands and can run through and around defenders. A standout on the Diamond and has started to pick up some interest on the Gridiron taking a recruiting visit to Georgia Tech last week. If Stockbridge is able to slow the BT run game, Davis will be the X factor if they are to pull the upset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Region 8-3) Eastside at (Region 1-2) Warner Robins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one maybe the toughest one to call because Warner Robins, no matter their record, is a tough place to play. Eastside kind of flew under the radar after a slow start. They lost 3 of their 1st 5 games but went 4-1 down the stretch with their only lose coming to #1 North Oconee. This game maybe one of the best #3 v #2 games Statewide on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1612941"],"_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-691216f24ea54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mims has great vision at the LOS and explodes when he finds an opening. He rushed for 1080 yards on 153 carries with 11 TDs and eclipsed the 100 yd mark 7 times this season. Proved earlier this season that he could compete against top level competition by rushing for 75 yds on 17 carries against #1 ranked North Oconee. A 4.3 GPA in the classroom and the coaches rave over this Senior work ethic on and off the field. Rated as a Top 50 Senior RB in the 2026 Class, a good playoff run by give Mims some traction in the recruiting circles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1854793"],"_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-691216f24eb35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'2 Senior has had an outstanding season running the offense. The 3-yr starter has led Eastside to the playoffs every year and has notched a playoff win in each of the last 2 years. He completed 112 of 170 attempts this year for 1466 yards with 16 TDs to 5 INTs. A quick decision maker that has a confident presence in the pocket and can make all the throws. He shows good arm strength and can beat the defense over the top with the deep ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->