Class 2A Blog: Semifinalists prepare to battle with finals berth on the line

The 2A playoffs are coming to a close, with only two games left before a champion is crowned. And the four finalists are no strangers to the spotlight.

On the left side of the bracket, Sumter County and Hapeville Charter are looking for their first championship appearance in a while. Sumter County is the successor of Americus, Sumter County, and Americus-Sumter County. The program has seven championships, but none since the two schools combined in 2004. However, this season has been their best since then, their 12 wins are the most in program history, and this semifinal appearance is two rounds further than they had reached previously.

Hapeville, on the other hand, is only 15 years old but already has a state championship, which came in 2017. This is the team’s deepest playoff run since that title. The matchup will be an interesting one. Hapeville has won eight straight games since a 14-7 loss to Carver-Atlanta in Week Five. Sumter County defeated that same Carver-Atlanta team last week, shocking the top seed 39-20. Hapeville has grown since its last loss, however, the question remains: is it enough to overcome the Panthers and keep them from reaching the finals?

On the right side of the bracket, Carver-Columbus and Burke County will face off in a rematch of last year’s championship game. The Tigers are the defending state champions and have been the top team in the class since the preseason. The playoffs have been smooth sailing for Carver, as they have won every game by at least 28 points. In Round One, they beat Redan 56-0. In Round Two, Stephens County fell 56-0. In the quarterfinals, Burke County’s region rival Thomson fell to the Tigers 38-10.

Last week’s quarterfinal was Carver’s third-closest game of the season, with the only two closer victories being a 31-12 win over Northside-Columbus and an 8-7 win over Sumter County. Burke County, on the other hand, has come on strong in the playoffs. The Bears have scored no fewer than 41 points in any playoff game. However, their defense has struggled, allowing 27.7 points per game, including 40 against Rockmart in a game they won by just one point, 41-40.

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