The second round of the GHSA state playoffs has arrived, and Greater Rome has two teams remaining in the hunt.

The local representatives are Adairsville and Calhoun, who have each advanced to the Class AA Sweet 16 — and who both will be facing tough foes tonight. Undefeated Calhoun is hosting Brooks County, and Adairsville is traveling to Fitzgerald.

Greater Rome started the playoffs with seven teams in the mix, but the first round did not go well for Floyd County or for the local teams. Rome High lost a nail-biter in double-overtime on the road, and Gordon Central and Cedartown both saw their seasons end on the road as well. In Lindale, the Pepperell Dragons lost to Elbert County, and across town at Chris Hunter Stadium, top-seeded Darlington fell to Landmark Christian.

However, Calhoun and Adairsville were each victorious, and moved one step closer to reaching the Dome. Calhoun hosted Jefferson, and emphatically sent them home with 39-6 loss. The Tigers traveled all the way to Banks County, and came home with 21-3 first-round victory.

Now, one week and one round later, both teams find themselves in the same scenarios: Calhoun will again be at home, and Adairsville will again be loading the bus.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know for both of these game:

 

CALHOUN vs. BROOKS COUNTY

The second-ranked Jackets (11-0) will welcome the No. 7-ranked Brooks County Trojans (9-2), from  Region 1-AA.

As soon as both teams won last week, many fans started reminiscing about the classic battle between Calhoun and Brooks County in the 2008 semifinals.

Calhoun posted a 38-35 road victory that night, which sent the Jackets to Dome for the state finals.

That was the first of Calhoun’s three straight trips to the Dome.

This year, Brooks County will be coming to Calhoun, as the teams clash for their second-ever meeting.

Led by the passing attack of quarterback Taylor Lamb, the Jackets are averaging 44 points game. And the Jackets’ defense has been just as impressive, allowing an average of only eight points per game.

Last week, Lamb completed 18-of-23 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. Darius Washington led Calhoun in rushing with 89 yards on 15 carries. Jefferson was able to move the ball against Calhoun, and the reached the red zone several times. But the Jackets defense allowed only one touchdown, by forcing turnovers and making key plays. Linebacker Hunter Knight recorded five and a half sacks, and Alex Kirby had two fumble recoveries, one of which he took back for a touchdown. Trent Frix also forced two fumbles.

Brooks County enters tonight’s game with two losses, one to region foe Fitzgerald, who is 10-1 and ranked third in state. The Trojans other loss came to Valdosta, an AAAAA school, in the first game of the season. Brooks County is averaging 27 points per game, and allowing only 15 points per contest.

Last week, Brooks County hosted Tattnall County and won 28-10. Quarterback Malcolm Parrish was the difference maker. He ran for 127 yards and threw for 136. Parrish is a do it all player that Calhoun will have to worry about on both sides of the ball. He is a dual-threat quarterback, and also plays cornerback, linebacker and defensive end.

OUTLOOK

Tonight’s game has all the makings to be another classic like the ‘08 semifinal game. Playing at home will be a nice advantage for the Jackets. If Lamb continues his strong play, and Calhoun doesn’t let Parrish run wild (on offense and defense), we think the Jackets will move on to the Elite 8. Calhoun wins, 35-28.

ADAIRSVILLE vs. FITZGERALD

The Tigers will have to be “road warriors” again if they don’t want to see their season come to an end. Adairsville (10-1) has a long road ahead of them as the Tigers travel 291 miles to face the No. 3-ranked and 10-1 Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes. This will be the first time the teams have ever played.

In last week’s first-round match-up with Banks County, Adairsville rushed for 217 yards, with Mike Upshaw having 100 yards and a touchdown.

The Tigers had some turnovers, made a few penalties, but the defense stepped up and stood out. Adairsville forced turnovers of their own, and limited Banks County to only a first-half field goal in the win.

 Adairsville’s only loss of the season was a 34-14 setback against Pepperell. Since that defeat, the Tigers have won four straight. On the season, the Tigers are scoring 24 points a game, and allowing only 12.

Fitzgerald comes into tonight winners of 10 straight games. Its only loss came to Tift County, an AAAAA school, in the first game if the season. Fitzgerald can score with the best of them, and their speedy, balanced-attack offense is averaging 35 points game. The Purple Hurricanes defense has been steady, allowing 17 points game.

In its first round game, Fitzgerald hosted McIntosh County Academy, and rolled to a 41-14 win. The balanced Purple Hurricane put up 358 yards of offense, with 171 yards in the air, and 187 on the ground.

OUTLOOK

In order to pull the upset tonight, Adairsville will have to keep doing what its done all season: Run the ball effectively, control the time of possession, and play steady defense. Upshaw will have to have another productive week, and Adairsville will have to limit its mistakes.

This one has the makings of being a close one, and maybe even an upset. Unfortunately for the Tigers, we think they will fall just a little short. Fitzgerald wins, 24-17.