“I don’t believe what I just saw.” That was the famous line uttered by longtime sports broadcaster Jack Buck following Kirk Gibson’s memorable walkoff home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. It’s also exactly what I thought after last Friday night’s incredible slate of quarterfinal games. I truly could not believe what I was witnessing, which was so many favorites going down. Before we begin our 2023 Georgia high school semifinal predictions, let’s recap some of the biggest surprises of the third round:
- Buford lost to Grayson
- Defending Class 7A state champion Mill Creek was upset by Camden County
- No. 2-ranked Colquitt County fell to Milton
- Gainesville lost its 6A matchup with Woodward Academy in College Park
On one hand, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, because we have been talking about the 2023 season giving high school football fans one of the most entertaining and unpredictable seasons that I can remember, and I think I speak on behalf of fans across the state of Georgia.
Bryan County may be the best feel-good story of all the teams still alive, having battled back from a 23-game losing streak to reach this moment, preparing to play for a chance at a state title. Some may think they are just happy to be here. You can bet coach Greg Vandagriff at Prince Avenue Christian isn’t letting his team think that. We start with that contest in this week’s 2023 Georgia high school semifinal Pick 6.
Class 1A-DI
Bryan County at Prince Avenue Christian
In a season with multiple great stories comes Bryan County. The Redskins suffered through a 23-game losing streak that stretched over their 2020 and 2021 seasons; now here they are making their deepest postseason run in program history with a first-round win over East Laurens, then stunning victories over Pelham and, last week, a favored Commerce team.
Prince Avenue Christian, with Georgia Tech commit Aaron Philo at quarterback, loves to throw it, and why not when you have the state’s leading passer? For the 2023 Wolverines, this marks their 10th trip to the Georgia high school semifinal round in the last 12 seasons, while Bryan County makes its first-ever trip to the Final Four. Yes, these two programs are about as opposite as you can get, yet here they are, one step away from advancing to the state championship game. Who gets there?
Phil’s Pick: Prince Avenue Christian 35, Bryan County 23
Class 4A
Perry at Starrs Mill
This is pick one of two in the 4A state semifinals. Perry is here after defeating Stephenson last week, and they too have a solid quarterback in Colter Ginn, who played at Peach County prior to transferring to Perry this year. If Ginn isn’t lighting it up, there ball is likely in the hands of Perry’s all-time single-season rushing leader, Ahmad Gordon, who set the record two weeks ago in a win over Bainbridge.
Starrs Mill is another team that came away as a surprise winner last week, when they survived with a last-minute score to defeat Central of Carrollton, handing the Lions their first loss of the season. Starrs Mill has one of the best defensive units in the state, allowing an average of just over 7 points per game. Their offense is led by QB Logan Inagawa, a 1,000 yards-plus passer this season. I’ll admit that I didn’t see Starrs Mill coming, but here they are – and I see clearly now.
Phil’s Pick: Perry 22, Starrs Mill 20
Class 4A
Benedictine at Stockbridge
In this corner, you have two-time Class 4A defending state champion Benedictine Cadets, led by head coach Danny Britt. In the opposite corner is your challenger, Stockbridge. While the Cadets are seeking a third consecutive state title, Stockbridge is no stranger to the playoffs, either. In fact, the Tigers have advanced to at least the quarterfinal round nine times out of the last 12 seasons, including the past two.
Both teams are led by outstanding playmakers, with Luke Kromenhoek directing the Benedictine offense, while RB Jayden Scott likes to put the Stockbridge offense on his back and carry the load. Look for the Cadets to key on stopping the player they call “The Bull” and force the Tigers to go to their passing game. Either way, let’s get ready to rumble …
Phil’s Pick: Benedictine 27, Stockbridge 21
Class 5A
Creekside at Jefferson
Jefferson, which has won one state title and four region titles over the last 10 years, is the 8-5A region champion. The Dragons are undefeated coming into this 2023 Georgia high school semifinal matchup, having rolled through their schedule with 13 straight wins, including last week’s quarterfinal victory over Harris County. They’re led by five-star two-way standout Sammy Brown at linebacker and running back.
Creekside has been almost as perfect, but a 62-0 loss to California’s Maiter Dei put the Seminoles somewhat on the defensive. However, they silenced many critics last week with a 35-14 win over Warner Robins, snapping the Demons’ consecutive streak of state title game appearances at six. Grab your popcorn for the Sammy Brown vs. Rod McCrary matchup, as two of the best players in the state will go at it in this one.
Phil’s Pick: Jefferson 28, Creekside 26
Class 6A
Thomas County Central at Marist
The Yellow Jackets are hoping to get past the 2023 Georgia high school semifinal round after falling at home in the Final Four last year, costing them a trip to the state championship game in new coach Justin Rogers’ first season. TCC won its toughest test of the season last week over Rome after traveling literally from one end of the state to the other to hand the homestanding Wolves their first loss of the year.
Under Alan Chadwick, Marist has won three state championships, with its last one coming in 2020. The veteran coach has been at Marist since 1985, and while high school offenses have mostly gone to variations of the spread, Chadwick and Marist wins games by using a legion of running backs to wear down defensive fronts, as they have done throughout these state playoffs, including last week against Roswell. Thomas County Central is more of an explosive offense, scoring in bunches. They are 25-1 over the last two seasons under Rogers. This one will be fun to watch.
Phil’s Pick: Thomas County Central 31, Marist 17
Class 7A
Camden County at Walton
How good is Walton’s offense right now? “I don’t know if this offense can be stopped,” said head coach Daniel Brunner. “If we don’t get in our own way, we can score on every possession.” The Raiders offense racked up 56 points on the Carrollton Trojans; the 21-point win avenged last year’s loss to Carrollton in the quarterfinals.
Their next opponent is Camden County, which surprised everyone with its 39-20 win over Mill Creek. While Walton’s potent offense is built around quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski’s arm, Camden County is the polar opposite with coach Jeff Herron’s run-heavy version of the triple option. That clock-eating offense kept the Mill Creek offense from getting loose last week; can the Wildcats do it again against Walton?
Phil’s Pick: Walton 35, Camden County 28
