Semifinal previews: Classes 4A and 3A
Class 4A
Kell (11-2) at Creekside (13-0)
Seeding: Kell is the No. 1 seed from Region 6. Creekside is the No. 1 seed from Region 4.
Rankings: Kell is ranked No. 5. Creekside is ranked No. 1.
Last week: Kell beat Cartersville 48-21. Moonie Gipson rushed for 158 yards (fifth straight over 150 and 1,915 for the season) and two touchdowns on 30 carries and caught three passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Kaleb Narcisse passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 53 yards. Kell had 575 total yards. Creekside beat Lithonia 35-7. Gary Walker rushed for 129 yards. Ced Kelley rushed for 103. Creekside led 28-0 at halftime and held Lithonia to 82 total yards.
Last meeting/series: Creekside won 42-35 in the 2024 second round. Creekside leads the series 2-1.
Playoff history: This is Kell's first semifinal appearance since 2016. Kell is trying to reach the finals for the first time. Kell is 0-2 all-time in semifinals. This is Creekside's third straight semifinal appearance. Creekside is trying to reach the finals for the first time since 2023. Creekside is 2-3 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: Kell's average score is 34-16 against the second-hardest schedule in Class 4A. Creekside's average score is 59-6 against the 48th-hardest schedule in Class 4A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Creekside 37, Kell 7
Marist (12-1) at Benedictine (10-2)
Seeding: Marist is the No. 1 seed from Region 5. Benedictine is the No. 1 seed from Region 1.
Rankings: Marist is ranked No. 6. Benedictine is ranked No. 4.
Last week: Marist beat North Oconee 23-20. Tyler Baradel kicked a 34-yard field goal on the final play to end North Oconee's 27-game winning streak. He also made field goals of 35 and 37 yards. Owen Rice threw a 57-yard halfback pass to Hamilton Feldman for a fourth-quarter touchdown. James Lasco rushed for 61 yards and passed for 80. Benedictine beat Central of Carrollton 80-32. Benedictine rushed for 561 yards and set a school records for points in a game (previous high 77 vs. Groves in 2019). The rushing leaders were Eron Mallard (98), Josh Washington (93), Stanley Smart (88) and Stephen Cannon (85).
Last meeting/series: Benedictine won 24-21 in the 2021 quarterfinals. Marist leads the series 9-2-1.
Playoff history: This is Marist's third straight semifinal appearance. Marist is trying to reach the finals for the second season in a row and was the 2024 runner-up. Marist is 13-11 all-time in semifinals. This is Benedictine's first semifinal appearance since 2023. Benedictine is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 3A in 2022. Benedictine is 4-5 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: Marist's average score is 34-9 against the 31st-hardest schedule in Class 4A. Benedictine's average score is 45-16 against the hardest schedule in Class 4A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Marist 21, Benedictine 21
Class 3A
West Laurens (13-0) at Jefferson (12-1)
Seeding: West Laurens is the No. 4 seed. Jefferson is the No. 1 seed.
Rankings: West Laurens is ranked No. 7. Jefferson is ranked No. 3.
Last week: West Laurens beat Jenkins 21-16. Jenkins got within 21-16 in the final minute, but West Laurens never trailed in the game. Ty Cummings rushed for 195 yards, putting him at 2,557 for the season. Jefferson beat Cairo 47-28. Jefferson trailed 21-0 in the first quarter but led 23-21 at halftime and never trailed again. Darren Pinkard rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Last meeting/series: Jefferson won 21-0 in the 2016 second round. Jefferson leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is West Laurens' first semifinal appearance. This is Jefferson’s third straight semifinal appearance. Jefferson is trying to reach the finals for the second season in a row and was the 2024 runner-up. Jefferson is 5-2 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: West Laurens' average score is 39-15 against the 42nd-hardest schedule in Class 3A. Jefferson's average score is 34-12 against the seventh-hardest schedule in Class 3A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Jefferson 24, West Laurens 17
LaGrange (11-2) at Sandy Creek (13-0)
Seeding: LaGrange is the No. 15 seed. Sandy Creek is the No. 3 seed.
Rankings: LaGrange is ranked No. 8. Sandy Creek is ranked No. 1.
Last week: LaGrange beat Stephenson 24-7. LaGrange held Stephenson to 170 total yards and intercepted two passes. Caydin Thomas rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Sandy Creek beat Douglass 34-0. Amari Latimer rushed for 155 yards (13th straight game over 100 and 2,171 on the season) and two touchdowns. Sandy Creek held Douglas to 161 total yards.
Last meeting/series: Sandy Creek won 23-7 in the regular season. Sandy Creek leads the series 8-1.
Playoff history: This is LaGrange's second straight semifinal appearance. LaGrange is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 3A in 2004. LaGrange is 9-6 all-time in semifinals. This is Sandy Creek's first semifinal appearance since 2022. Sandy Creek is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 3A in 2022. Sandy Creek is 4-1 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: LaGrange's average score is 34-18 against the fifth-hardest schedule in Class 3A. Sandy Creek's average score is 41-9 against the ninth-hardest schedule in Class 3A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Sandy Creek 28, LaGrange 14