Good to Be Home for the Playoffs for 'Hooch, Glads

High School Football Predictions

Habersham Central (6-4) at (9-1)

Habersham, which is making its first playoff in four seasons, knows points — scoring ‘em and giving ‘em up.

The Raiders, who were fourth in Region 8-AAAA, has scored more than 40 points five times this season, but they’ve also given up more than 40 four times, and 34 or more seven times.

Being able to score gives the Raiders a puncher’s chance in this game, but defense, as they say, wins championships. The defending state champion Chattahoochee Cougars haven’t given up more than 24 points in a single game and have allowed only 25 points in their last four.

Quarterback Travis Marshall has had a steady hand running the ‘Hooch offense, which has a number of talented weapons in running backs Chase Nelson and C.J. Leggett and receivers Marcus Sayles and Will Johnson.

Cougars state-title defense begins with a win. Chattahoochee 35, Habersham Central 24.

Flowery Branch (9-1) at (9-1)

Two 9-1 teams and neither one won their respective region championship — Johns Creek was second in 7-AAAA; Flowery Branch, which was the odd team out in a three-way tie for first place, was third in 8-AAAA.

Let’s be honest here. This will be a big challenge for Johns Creek, which is playing in only its second full varsity season and first playoffs.

Flowery Branch is arguably the best team in 8-AAAA, with eight games of scoring 42 or more points. The Falcons, who lost in the 2008 AAA final to Cairo, are playing for their sixth 10-win season.

But the Gladiators have put together an impressive resume, too. Only an overtime loss to Chattahoochee has kept them from an undefeated regular season and eight of their wins have been by 15 or more points.

The Glads offense, led by quarterback Skye Overton, has been balanced. The D has been downright dominant.

Glads gotta believe. Johns Creek 35, Flowery Branch 34.

Click here to see the Georgia High School Association football playoff brackets.