Friday Football Preview: South Cobb Rivals Face Off Friday Night

Despite a decisive loss last week,can still make the state playoffs. The Falcons are third in Region 4-AAAAA. is right behind them in fourth. The top four teams make the playoffs at the end of the regular season, so if both teams can string together a few more wins, they will both earn postseason berths. 

On the other end of the spectrum, Whitefield Academy is out of the playoff race in Region 5-A. The Wolfpack have a couple more chances to earn back some pride, but it won't be easy. 

Pebblebrook at Hillgrove 

The three-game winning streak ended with a resoundning loss to McEachern 52-14 last week. The game was over at halftime with the Indians leading 45-7.

The Falcons seemed to have momentum after quarterback C.J. Goodman ran for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. However, it was called back on an illegal shift penalty. Things went downhill in a hurry from there. Pebblebrook went down 17-0 at the end of the first quarter and were then outscored 28-7 in the second. 

Goodman was able to get the Falcons on the board with a 61-yard touchdown pass to Justin Simms just before the half. The junior quarterback scored a second touchdown on a 1-yard plunge to the endzone. 

Pebblebrook currently sits a 3-4 (3-1) and still have hopes at making the playoffs. The only undefeated team in the region awaits them this week in Hillgrove. Any questions of making the postseason will be answered against the Hawks on Friday. 

Prediction: Hillgrove 38, Pebblebrook 14

South Cobb at Campbell 

The Eagles played their best overall game last week in a 40-3 rout of Kennesaw Mountain. Offense, defense and special teams all made key contributions to the victory. 

Jamal Thomas started the game by returning the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 7-0. Running back Chris Beck gained 106 total yards (90 rushing, 16 receiving) and scored two first half touchdowns on the ground. He also caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stephon Masha in the third quarter. 

Masha completed six of nine passes in the first half for 135 and two touchdowns. Both of his touchdown passes were caught by Gary Jones. 

The defense forced four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles), which helped towards six total touchdowns in the game. The Eagles punted only twice the entire night. 

South Cobb is in a great position to make the postseason with a 5-2 overall record to go along with a 2-2 region mark. They will face a struggling Campbell team this week in hopes of improving on that record. 

Prediction: South Cobb 28, Campbell 10

Whitefield Academy at Strong Rock Christian

It's been a long year for Whitefield. The Wolfpack have lost three straight games and have a 2-5 record. This week's opponent, Strong Rock Christian offers an opportunity to pick up a win. The Patriots have been even worse than the Wolpack, losing four straight games. 

Something will have to give in this match-up. The most important player for Whitefield will be quarterback Max Kemether. He has been the leader of the team througout most of the losses. In the last loss to First Presbyterian, he managed to throw for 182 yards. He will have to do even more this week if the Wolfpack want to win. 

The defense has to play more like they did when they shut out Southwest Atlanta Christian in the last win for Whitefield. Since then, the Wolfpack have given up an average of 41 points per game. If the defense can play like they did four weeks ago, then Whitefield will win. 

Prediction: Whitefield Academy 21 Strong Rock Christian 7