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The spotlight game this week on GPB’s Football Friday’s in Georgia features Lowndes at North Cobb in a Class 7A showdown. Click here for a preview.

Here are other top second-round games in the other classifications:

Class 6A: No. 8 Hughes (10-1) at Glynn Academy (8-3)

This has all the makings of a defensive masterpiece. Hughes, the No. 2 team from Region 4, is coming off a 27-0 win over Northside Warner Robins and has held five opponents to a touchdown or less. Glynn Academy, the Region 2 champion, trounced Grovetown 42-3 in the first round. The Red Terrors have two shutouts and have allowed a total of 11 points over the last five games.  This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

 

Class 5A: No. 5 Coffee (8-2) at No. 6 Starr’s Mill (9-1)

Normally you would find a game of this quality in the semifinals. Coffee is the No. 3 team from Region 1, considered the best league in Class 5A. The Trojans used a big second half to defeat Ola 31-7 in the opening round. Starr’s Mill, the Region 2 champion, blasted Mundy’s Mill 63-6 in the opener. Both have dual-threat quarterbacks – Coffee’s A.J. Wilkerson directs a spread attack and Starr’s Mill’s William Yarbrough operates the option-oriented Panthers. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

 

Class 4A: No. 6 Flowery Branch (9-2) at No. 1 Marist (10-0)

Flowery Branch, the No. 2 team from Region 8, has a powerful offense led by quarterback David Renard (2,159 yards, 18 TDs). But the Falcons will have their prowess tested by a Marist defense that has shutout six opponents and allowed only 27 points all season. Marist, the No. 1 team from Region 6, opened the playoffs by defeating Central Carroll 49-0. Flowery Branch has won six straight and defeated Luella 40-7 in their playoff opener. The teams were in the same region for the previous two years and Marist won both times, 20-0 in 2018 and 27-0 in 2019.

 

Class 3A: No. 3 Crisp County (9-1) at No. 8 Richmond Academy (10-1)

Crisp County, the No. 2 team from Region 2, has thrived on defense all season The Cougars have four shutouts and have allowed no opponent to score more than 14 points. Nick Mercer leads the team with 79 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Richmond Academy, the champion from Region 4, is riding a seven-game winning streak and reached the second round for the first time since 2009. Richmond Academy blanked Brantley County 28-0 and Crisp County defeated Windsor Forest 35-0 in the first round. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

 

Class 2A: No. 5 Lovett (7-2) at No. 6 Callaway (8-1)

Callaway, the Region 5 champion, will make its playoff debut. The Cavaliers won their first-round game against Banks County on a COVID cancellation. Lovett, the No. 3 seed from Region 6, opened with a 38-17 win over Pepperell. Lovett features freshman quarterback Preston Lusink, who has thrown for 1,049 yards and 17 touchdowns. The two teams played in the same region from 2008-2011 and Lovett leads the series 3-1. Lovett won the last meeting 19-7 in 2011.

 

Class A Private: No. 4 Athens Academy (9-1) at No. 3 Fellowship Christian (9-0)

This one shapes up to showcase the firepower of Athens Academy against the defense of Fellowship Christian. Athens Academy, the runner-up in Region 8, opened the playoffs by outslugging Mount Vernon Presbyterian 49-42. The Spartans’ only loss came against top-rated Prince Avenue Christian. Fellowship Christian, the Region 6 champion, won its playoff opener 49-7 over Mount Paran Christian and has three shutouts. Fellowship Christian running back Murphy Reeves has rushed for 1,350 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.  Athens Academy leads the series 2-1, but the teams haven’t played since 2007.

 

Class A Public: No. 2 Brooks County (10-1) at No. 3 Dublin (10-1)

This is a rematch of last year’s state championship game won 42-32 by Dublin. Since losing to Irwin County 21-13 on Oct. 9, Brooks County has won six straight and outscored the opposition 288-27. The Trojans defeated Claxton 36-0 in the playoff opener. Brooks County quarterback Nitavion Burns has thrown for 1,563 yards and 20 touchdowns and running back Omari Arnold has run for 1,098 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dublin, the champion from Region 4, lost its season opener to Dodge County and had only one close game during the regular season. But the Fighting Irish had to turn away upset-minded Terrell County 14-12 in the first round. Dublin leads the series 2-1. Dublin is almost an all-run team; it did not throw a pass in last year’s title game.