1A Private…*Disclaimer: I will be on the play-by-play call for some of the playoff coverage; therefore I will stop just shy of laying out a game by game prediction; that leads to a conflict of interest and breaks an unwritten broadcaster code. Just the same, here are some of the storylines we should expect to see unfold in the 2014 GHSA football playoffs…

Use the pictures as a point of reference and let’s begin in the bottom right corner of the bracket.

Top Half:
Calvary Day, as the #1 seed, is an interesting case. In the season finale, in the final quarter and up by a score of 42-7, Cavaliers quarterback Sal Calderon broke his fibula and damaged ligaments in his ankle. This has changed the chances of the 2013 state runner-up. As of publication of this article, head coach Mark Stroud has not decided on a replacement. The majority of their offense comes from the run game; and more precisely senior Robert Heyward. Last year, Heyward went for 1,300-yards and was 1st team AP all-state.

Most likely, even without Calderon, the Cavs will be able to get past Christian Heritage in round one. In round two, they will be more challenged. Whoever wins between Landmark Christian and Mt Pisgah will have enough playmakers on both sides of the ball to knock out the top seed.

Landmark has the ball control ground game to dictate pacing and play keep away. Plus, they are one of the most physical teams in all of 1A football. In a win over Rockmart, Lofton Tidwell put together an amazing 395-yard three touchdown performance. And the connection of Stockton McGuire to Sam Dobbs is almost an automatic.

Mt Pisgah could take down Calvary Day with explosive offense and relentless big play capability. Senior Aaron Winchester, a Georgia State commit, has become one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state. Last season, he passed for 2,272 yards and 31 touchdowns with just five interceptions; and rushed for a team-leading 982 yards.

Then, there is Eagles Landing Christian Academy. Their season was one of the main storylines of high school football across the state. The championship level program began the season with a brutal slate of opponents, and with very few experienced players coming back, they found themselves at 0-6. Since, the Chargers have won four straight and by virtue of winning a region championship, they earned a home game in the first round.

Prince Avenue is in search of its fourth consecutive double-digit win season. Can they match ELCA physically and then the three some of Calvary/Pisgah/Landmark. Not sure.

Bottom half:
This group of eight is definitely deeper, and more arduous to move through, than the top half.
Most would agree: in the 1A Private championship tournament, there are four teams that make up the first line of championship contenders; three are on the bottom half of the draw.

Mount Paran may touch more of the “three keys to winning a title” than anyone else. First, they are top three talent wise; Dorian Walker (1,577 yards) leads the club as one of the top running backs in the state. Secondly, they are on a roll. The Eagles have defeated five playoff teams while scoring 31-points in every game this year; outscoring opponents by a gaudy 454-120 total. Finally, they are experienced. The north Cobb program lost only four seniors from a 2013 team that won a school record nine games, and lost to the eventual state champion in Aquinas.

Savannah Christian is not quite as star studded, yet they have tremendous depth. Plus, they are playing well as of late. However, the big question is: how much has their schedule tested them? Coach Chumley’s bunch has played only three playoff teams this season.
The Raiders have seven young men with over a hundred yards on the ground, and as a team they average 212 rushing yards per game. Their top player, junior Demetrious Robertson, is an Alabama commit. He will impact the game in every facet, literally. The entire offense, and its execution through decision making, is on the shoulders of senior quarterback Josh Chamblee.

Then there is the defending state champion, Aquinas. The Fighting Irish are sitting on the second longest winning streak in the state, now at 24 games. I spoke of the “three keys” earlier, they certainly touch all categories. They are THE most talented, star and depth wise, in the classification. Luther Welch has an incredible 143.6 QB rating with 1541-yards through the air. Oh, and he has 18 touchdown passes with just one interception. Senior Daniel Lindsay has rushed for 531 yards and six scores; while making 28 catches for 415 yards and three touchdowns. Their big guy, however, is one of the best backs in the state, Ruben Garnett. Duke University is hot on the trail of the man who went for nearly 2,000 yards in 2013 and has put 1,700 on the turf this year. Finally, junior defensive lineman William Evans is the state’s best kept secret; with 89 tackles, 17 sacks and 28 tackles for a loss.
Obviously, they have the experience. The Kelly Green and Gold return 13 starters from last year’s title team.

Most likely scenario? The winner of Savannah Christian and Mt Paran faces Aquinas; and THAT winner will be the state champion. The Irish are the number one choice; followed by Mt Paran, Savannah Christian, and now, Calvary Day.