Quarterfinal Team of the Week: Pepperell

Dominating good teams such as Rabun County and making deep playoff runs were parts of the plan when Brandon Haywood became Pepperell's coach in 2024. He just didn't know it would be so soon.

So last week’s 34-0 victory in the quarterfinals and the resulting advancement to the semifinals – the Dragons' first final four since 1998 – almost caught him by surprise.

Pepperell head coach Brandon Haywood and the team’s captains and seniors accept the GHSF Daily Team of the Week award after their 34-0 victory over Rabun County in the Class A Division I quarterfinals.

“I didn’t even know what to say after the game Friday night because it was such a surreal feeling,” Haywood told GHSF Daily on Monday. “We were 2-8 last year. To be in this position is a testament to the staff and the kids doing what was demanded.”

Pepperell is 9-4 in Haywood's second season and traveling Friday to Worth County, Class A Division I's No. 1-ranked team.

Pepperell is GHSF Daily’s Team of the Week. The award is sponsored by BSN Sports and Siemens.