Chris Mooneyham

Finally!! The MP previews the Georgia high school football, 1A Public state tournament…

1A Public……*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.
Like 1A Private, there is a short list of title favorites; three in fact. Two of the three are in the top of the bracket.

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Top bracket:
Marion County, the defending state champions, is the over-whelming favorite to repeat. The Eagles tout a dynamic duo that impacts the game on both sides of the ball as much as anyone in the class. In 2013, Lorenzo Smothers had 594 yards rushing, 475 receiving and 793 yards in returns of punts, kickoffs and interceptions. He scored 17 touchdowns and made 39 tackles on defense. Johnny Royal, as the number one running back, pushed past the 1,000-yard mark last year and should reach that mark in the first round of state. Kadarrius Hartage has wrecked opposing offensive lines with 11 sacks on the season.

The boys from Buena Vista, with a lot of youth, not only have a chance to repeat; they have a shot at the three-peat.

Most likely, Hawkinsville will meet the champs in the Elite Eight. These two met this year, in what was the Red Devils only loss of the season. Also, it was their only one possession game of the season. In other words, the Dev’s were dominant. And Hawkinsville was 6-1 versus teams that either made the playoffs or were in the top 20 of the points, playoff rating. They win with defense (63 points allowed all season) and the run game (80% of offensive yardage).

Charlton County versus Lincoln County is a mouthwatering moment for the historians; with 18 total state championships for the two programs.

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Bottom bracket:
It feels like Irwin County. Let me say first; they play Atkinson County in round one. These teams met on Halloween Night, and the Rebels are the only 1A team to be within one possession of the Indians this season.

The Ocilla men have scored 40+ points in a game seven times; while giving up 13.5 points per game. The tandem of Jakyron Young and Robert Moore has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game, together, five times.

Clinch County or Commerce could be sleepers. These two clubs are pretty even. Calhoun County, as far as seeding is concerning, is an upset favorite over Mitchell County. So, Commerce or Clinch should be a Final Four team.

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Published by Chris Mooneyham

Chris Mooneyham is a twenty-year broadcast veteran employed or freelancing for multiple companies across America. Currently he is a co-host, play-by-play person and guest anchor for Atlanta’s sports leader, The Fan 680AM/ 93.7FM; and its sister stations on The Sports X. In the Fall, Chris serves as the Sideline Reporter for Kennesaw State University football. He also works as studio host, play-by-play announcer and content producer for The Fan’s coverage of Georgia High School football. Come the Wintertime, the focus shifts to the National Lacrosse League 2017 World Champions, the Georgia Swarm (play-by-play). When Spring rolls around, the Atlanta native delivers the play-by-play for the Emory University baseball team, a two-time national finalist. All throughout the year, Mooneyham is a lead play-by-play person for the NFHS Network’s high school sports coverage and over the last decade was honored to call state championships in nearly every sport. A Kennesaw State graduate, Chris holds a Communication degree in Media Studies and a Minor degree in Film Studies. He is also a two-time graduate of broadcasting school (Connecticut School of Broadcasting-1998/ Atlanta Broadcast Institute-2008).

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