Quarterfinal previews: Classes 4A, 3A and 2A
Class 4A
Lithonia (10-2) at Creekside (12-0)
Seeding: Lithonia is the No. 3 seed from Region 5. Creekside is the No. 1 seed from Region 4.
Rankings: Lithonia is unranked. Creekside is ranked No. 1.
Last week: Lithonia beat Centennial 38-7. Albert Gooding rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Lithonia held Centennial to 169 total yards. Creekside beat Ware County 49-0. Cayden Benson was 9-of-13 passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 221 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries. Creekside led 609-125 in total yards.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is Lithonia's first quarterfinal appearance since 1994. Lithonia is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1969. Lithonia is 1-5 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Creekside's fifth straight quarterfinal appearance. Creekside is trying to reach the semifinals for the third straight time. Creekside is 5-3 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Lithonia's average score is 36-11 against the 56th-hardest schedule in Class 4A. Creekside's average score is 61-6 against the 50th-hardest schedule in Class 4A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Creekside 44, Lithonia 0
Cartersville (12-0) at Kell (10-2)
Seeding: Cartersville is the No. 1 seed from Region 7. Kell is the No. 1 seed from Region 6.
Rankings: Cartersville is ranked No. 2. Kell is ranked No. 5.
Last week: Cartersville beat Warner Robins 64-0. Cartersville led 50-0 at halftime. Nate Russell was 10-of-12 passing for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Brady Marchese had four receptions for 118 yards. Kell beat Southwest DeKalb 17-10. Kaleb Narcisse threw a 23-yard TD pass to Brock Burruss with 1:17 left to break a 10-10 tie. Moonie Gipson rushed for 171 yards on 18 carries. Kell held Southwest DeKalb to 139 total yards.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is Cartersville's fourth straight quarterfinal appearance. Cartersville is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2023. Cartersville is 14-6 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Kell's first quarterfinal appearance since 2016. Kell is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2016. Kell is 2-2 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Cartersville's average score is 48-11 against the 26th-hardest schedule in Class 4A. Kell's average score is 32-16 against the sixth-hardest schedule in Class 4A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Cartersville 33, Kell 21
Central-Carrollton (12-0) at Benedictine (9-2)
Seeding: Central is the No. 1 seed from Region 3. Benedictine is the No. 1 seed from Region 1.
Rankings: Central is ranked No. 7. Benedictine is ranked No. 4.
Last week: Central beat Cambridge 64-29. J.R. Harris passed for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Jonaz Walton rushed for 180 yards and had 101 yard receiving. Benedictine beat Cass 21-7. Stanley Smart rushed for 101 yards and Stephen Cannon rushed for 102 and passed for 91 yards. Benedictine intercepted four passes.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is Central's first quarterfinal appearance since 2023. Central is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1987. Central is 2-2 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Benedictine's sixth straight quarterfinal appearance. Benedictine is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2023. Benedictine is 8-8 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Central's average score is 46-15 against the 30th-hardest schedule in Class 4A. Benedictine's average score is 41-14 against the second-hardest schedule in Class 4A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Benedictine 28, Central 24
Marist (11-1) at North Oconee (12-0)
Seeding: Marist is the No. 1 seed from Region 5. North Oconee is the No. 1 seed from Region 8.
Rankings: Marist is ranked No. 6. North Oconee is ranked No. 3.
Last week: Marist beat Blessed Trinity 28-10. Marist was outgained 262-193 and trailed 10-7 at halftime but won with no-break defense and long scoring strikes (66 run by Hudson Kalb, 41 run by James Lasco, 69 interception return by Owen Hare). Kalb rushed for 80 yards and caught a 21-yard touchdown pass. North Oconee beat M.L. King 42-21. Harrison Faulkner was 13-of-20 passing for 157 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Last meeting/series: North Oconee won 14-7 in the 2024 finals. North Oconee leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is Marist's ninth straight quarterfinal appearance. Marist is trying to reach the semifinals for the third straight time. Marist is 22-11 all-time in quarterfinals. This is North Oconee's fifth straight quarterfinal appearance. North Oconee is trying to reach the semifinals for the second straight time. North Oconee is 3-2 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Marist's average score is 35-8 against the 42nd-hardest schedule in Class 4A. North Oconee's average score is 37-8 against the 16th-hardest schedule in Class 4A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: North Oconee 21, Marist 19
Class 3A
Cairo (10-2) at Jefferson (11-1)
Seeding: Cairo is the No. 8 seed. Jefferson is the No. 1 seed.
Rankings: Cairo is ranked No. 9. Jefferson is ranked No. 3.
Last week: Cairo beat Troup 28-20. Bryce Puckett passed for 353 yards and three touchdowns, all to Bryian Duncan, who had five receptions for 157 yards. Their 53-yard hookup gave Cairo a 28-20 lead entering the scoreless fourth quarter. Jefferson beat Harlem 49-14. Jefferson rushed for 260 yards and six touchdowns and outgained Harlem 367-234. Darren Pinkard rushed for 63 yards and four touchdowns.
Last meeting/series: Jefferson won 17-13 in the 2016 quarterfinals. Jefferson leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is Cairo's first quarterfinal appearance since 2018. Cairo is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2011. Cairo is 7-7 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Jefferson's third straight quarterfinal appearance. Jefferson is trying to reach the semifinals for the third straight time. Jefferson is 7-5 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Cairo’s average score is 32-19 against the sixth-hardest schedule in Class 3A. Jefferson's average score is 33-11 against the seventh-hardest schedule in Class 3A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Jefferson 25, Cairo 14
Jenkins (11-1) at West Laurens (12-0)
Seeding: Jenkins is the No. 5 seed. West Laurens is the No. 4 seed.
Rankings: Jenkins is ranked No. 6. West Laurens is ranked No. 7.
Last week: Jenkins beat Peach County 38-28. Jenkins trailed 21-17 entering the fourth quarter but scored the clinching touchdown with 1:49 left. Ryan Scott rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown. Dominique Johnson had 206 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, one on a punt return. West Laurens beat Oconee County 32-7. Ty Cummings returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 113 yards, putting him at 2,355 this season. West Laurens intercepted two passes.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is Jenkins' first quarterfinal appearance since 2023. Jenkins is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2019. Jenkins is 1-3 all-time in quarterfinals. This is West Laurens' first quarterfinal appearance since 2019. West Laurens is 0-5 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Jenkins’ average score is 47-19 against the 43rd-hardest schedule in Class 3A. West Laurens' average score is 41-15 against the 46th-hardest schedule in Class 3A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Jenkins 28, West Laurens 26
Douglass (9-3) at Sandy Creek (12-0)
Seeding: Douglass is the No. 11 seed. Sandy Creek is the No. 3 seed.
Rankings: Douglass is unranked. Sandy Creek is ranked No. 1.
Last week: Douglass beat Calhoun 12-0. Douglass scored a defensive touchdown, a field goal and a safety led 179-177 in total yards and became the first team this season to hold the defending Class 3A champion below 325 total yards. Jaiveon Jackson returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown and a 12-0 lead. Sandy Creek beat Monroe Area 42-14. Amari Latimer rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Caleb Hill passed for 169 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 68 yards.
Last meeting/series: Sandy Creek won 22-21 in 2023. Sandy Creek leads the series 4-0.
Playoff history: This is Douglass' first quarterfinal appearance since 2019. Douglass is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1975. Douglass is 1-3 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Sandy Creek's first quarterfinal appearance since 2022. Sandy Creek is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2022. Sandy Creek is 5-3 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Douglass' average score is 25-9 against the 13th-hardest schedule in Class 3A. Sandy Creek's average score is 41-10 against the 10th-hardest schedule in Class 3A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Sandy Creek 28, Douglass 0
LaGrange (10-2) at Stephenson (11-1)
Seeding: LaGrange is the No. 15 seed. Stephenson is the No. 7 seed.
Rankings: LaGrange is ranked No. 8. Stephenson is unranked.
Last week: LaGrange beat North Hall 52-28. Dylan Barber passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Caydin Thomas rushed for 139 yards, caught two passes for 51 yards and scored two touchdowns. Stephenson beat Westside of Augusta 37-35. Stephenson stopped a conversion try up the middle in the fourth overtime, and Anthony Booker ran in Stephenson's conversion for the victory. Booker rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns, and Jayden Johnson rushed for 148 yards and one score, each with 24 carries. Stephenson led 527-291 in total yards.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is LaGrange's second straight quarterfinal appearance. LaGrange is trying to reach the semifinals for the second straight time. LaGrange is 11-2 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Stephenson's third straight quarterfinal appearance. Stephenson is trying to reach the semifinals for the second straight time. Stephenson is 2-7 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: LaGrange's average score is 35-19 against the fifth-hardest schedule in Class 3A. Stephenson's average score is 38-18 against the 23rd-hardest schedule in Class 3A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: LaGrange 28, Stephenson 21
Class 2A
Sumter County (11-1) at Carver-Atlanta (12-0)
Seeding: Sumter County is the No. 9 seed. Carver is the No. 1 seed.
Rankings: Sumter County is ranked No. 5. Carver is ranked No. 2.
Last week: Sumter County beat North Murray 28-11. Ishmael Jones passed for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Carver beat Pierce County 48-28. Terrious Favors rushed for 265 yards and a touchdown, caught three passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns and returned a punt 60 yards. Lataious Stepp rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is Sumter County's first quarterfinal appearance. This is Carver's first quarterfinal appearance since 2022. Carver is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2022. Carver is 5-3 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Sumter County's average score is 43-7 against the 39th-hardest schedule in Class 2A. Carver's average score is 40-9 against the 19th-hardest schedule in Class 2A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Carver 21, Sumter County 20
Hapeville Charter (8-4) at Morgan County (12-0)
Seeding: Hapeville Charter is the No. 12 seed. Morgan County is the No. 4 seed.
Rankings: Hapeville Charter is ranked No. 7. Morgan County is ranked No. 3.
Last week: Hapeville Charter beat Appling County 35-27. Keylan Pope passed for 302 yards. Damond Stiggers rushed for 130 yards. Cedric Walker had 138 receiving yards. Morgan County beat Miller Grove 49-28. Davis Strickland passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns. Christian Monfort rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is Hapeville Charter's first quarterfinal appearance since 2019. Hapeville Charter is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2017. Hapeville Charter is 2-1 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Morgan County's second straight quarterfinal appearance. Morgan County is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1962. Morgan County is 0-3 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Hapeville Charter's average score is 24-14 against the fifth-hardest schedule in Class 2A. Morgan County's average score is 47-17 against the 29th-hardest schedule in Class 2A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Morgan County 28, Hapeville Charter 23
Thomson (9-3) at Carver-Columbus (12-0)
Seeding: Thomson is the No. 6 seed. Carver is the No. 3 seed.
Rankings: Thomson is ranked No. 8. Carver is ranked No. 1.
Last week: Thomson beat Callaway 28-19. Markevion Jones was 12-of-15 passing for 202 yards. Jaris Sinkfield had 87 yards rushing and 97 yards receiving on 21 touches and scored two touchdowns. Carver beat Stephens County 56-0. Carver rushed for 354 yards. Kelston Tarver rushed for 178, and Zach Watts rushed for 110. T.J. Woodson had four receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Last meeting/series: Carver won 8-0 in the 2006 first round. Carver leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is Thomson's second straight quarterfinal appearance. Thomson is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2022. Thomson is 7-9 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Carver's sixth straight quarterfinal appearance. Carver is trying to reach the semifinals for the third straight time. Carver is 9-7 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Thomson's average score is 34-16 against the 30th-hardest schedule in Class 2A. Carver's average score is 49-4 against the 40th-hardest schedule in Class 2A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Carver 31, Thomson 7
Burke County (10-2) at Rockmart (11-1)
Seeding: Burke County is the No. 10 seed. Rockmart is the No. 2 seed.
Rankings: Burke County is ranked No. 9. Rockmart is ranked No. 4.
Last week: Burke County beat Columbia 48-22. Burke County outrushed Columbia 350-36. Landen Wright rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 30 yards. Sean Vandiver rushed for 92 yards and passed for 51. Rockmart beat Laney 48-18. Nate Davis rushed for 192 yards on 20 carries. Tucker Parson was 14-of-16 passing for 188 yards and four touchdowns. Gavin Green had five receptions for 118 yards.
Last meeting/series: Burke County won 35-22 in the 2024 semifinals. Burke County leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is Burke County's second straight quarterfinal appearance. Burke County is trying to reach the semifinals for the second straight time. Burke County is 4-4 all-time in quarterfinals. This is Rockmart's fourth straight quarterfinal appearance. Rockmart is trying to reach the semifinals for the third straight time. Rockmart is 4-2 all-time in quarterfinals.
Score vs. schedule: Burke County’s average score is 37-16 against the 34th-hardest schedule in Class 2A. Rockmart's average score is 44-16 against the 22nd-hardest schedule in Class 2A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Rockmart 28, Burke County 26