The Maxwell Ratings has defending champion Cedar Grove listed as an 11-point favorite entering its second consecutive state title. But don't tell that to the Crisp County hopefuls because the Cougars enter the game with absolutely nothing to lose.
What else can be said? The Saints vs. the Cougars. Let's run it.
Cedar Grove is competing for a state title for the third time in four years after Jadon Haselwood's game-winning touchdown reception last season which handed Peach County its second title loss in as many years.
Crisp County, on the other hand, is in the championship game for the first time since the school opened in 1957 and looking to make history for the city of Cordele. Cedar Grove enters the title game with a new coach, Miguel Patrick, who replaced Jimmy Smith, who left a job on Georgia State's staff. Coach Brad Harber has been at Crisp County since 2017, replacing Shelton Felton, who chose to leave the program. Crisp and Cedar Grove have met once, in the semifinals in 2016 when a Felton-led Crisp program lost 55-0.
Cedar Grove is the favorite on paper. But both teams are very similar in offensive production and defensive efforts. Cedar Grove is averaging a bit more -- 37 points per game-- in the playoffs, while allowing just 10.25 points. Crisp County is averaging 30 points, while allowing just 7.25 points.
The Saints enter the playoffs with two losses – to Central-Phoenix (Ala.) 24-20 and Class AAAAAAA McEachern 29-7 – but is flawless against AAA competitors. Crisp County has three losses – to West Laurens 16-13, Dutchtown 19-17 and Bainbridge 14-9 – but has had little trouble with its AAA competition.
What makes Cedar Grove tick?
Cedar Grove Saints
Head Coach: Miguel Patrick
Asst Coaches: Michael Martin, Lawrence Smith, John Adams, Craig Kyros, Henry Mabry, Patrick Prioleau, Kendrick Callier, TJ Hill, Frederick Sippial, Matt Dry.
Quarterback: Junior QB Austin Smith (219-110-5, 1,459 yards, 18 touchdowns)
Rushing leaders: Senior RB Chavon Wright (217 carries, 1736 yards, 20 TDs); sophomore RB Rashad Dubinion (71 carries, 411 yards, five TDs); sophomore RB Langston White (66 carries, 357 yards, five TDs); junior QB Austin Smith (92 carries, 273 yards, six TDs).
Receivers: Sophomore WR Janiran Bonner (29 receptions, 499 yards, nine TDs); senior WR Coreyon Cone (17 receptions, 248 yards, three TDs); junior WR Samuel Pittman (19 receptions, 219 yards, one TD); freshman WR Bernard Mack (16 receptions, 193 yards, three TDs).
Defense: Senior LB Isaiah Ratcliff (162 total tackles, 10.0 sacks, 26 tackles for losses, one interception, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery); senior DE Alvin Williams (103 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 29 TFL, two caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries); senior LB N'Korian Newsom (68 total tackles, one sack, six TFL, two fumble recoveries); junior DL Demarius Jackson (59 total tackles, three sacks, 24 TFL, one interception, thee caused fumbles); junior DB Jordan Grier (58 total tackles, five caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries); junior DB Antonio Taylor (55 total tackles, five interceptions, one caused fumble, one fumble recovery); senior DB Tee Denson (52 total tackles, seven TFL, four intercetions (one TD), two caused fumble, one fumble recovery).
Notable: Cedar Grove has continued where it left off after Smith's departure with the promotion of Miguel Patrick to head coach, and the Saints are in good hands. Patrick led the Saints to another region title this year after Smith won 5-AAA in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Cedar Grove's path to the final went through Fannin County (36-7) and Benedictine (49-13) before it the rematch against Peach County (36-3). In its 28-18 semifinal victory against GAC, Cedar Grove never trailed but relied on a touchdown run from Chavon Wright in the fourth quarter to extend its lead and secure the championship berth. Against GAC, quarterback Austin Smith was 8-of-10 passing for 138 yards and a touchdown pass to Langston White. Wright and Rashod Dubinion will prove a test for Crisp County's defense. Linebacker Isaiah Ratcliff and defensive end Alvin Williams anchor the Saints defense. Sophomore Janiran Bonner and senior Coreyon Cone have been productive wideouts.
What makes Crisp County tick?
Crisp County Cougars
Head Coach: Brad Harber
Asst Coaches: Jeff Wilson, Jason Slimp, Ronald Steinhelfer, Jim Hughes, Tony Alexander, Will Conner, Pat Jordan, Horace Clark, Scooter Houston, Elijah Barnes
Quarterback: Junior QB AJ Lofton (103-66-3, 861 yards, six TDs); sophomore QB Jack Carter (89-47-5, 675 yards, three TDs).
Rushing Leaders: Sophomore RB Marquise Palmer (233 carries, 1,512 yards, 16 TDs); junior QB AJ Lofton (169 carries, 1,043 yards, 13 TDs).
Receiving Leaders: Junior WR Sirad Bryant (28 receptions, 537 yards, two TDs); senior WR Katorian Raines (17 receptions, 244 yards, one TD); Lofton (11 receptions, 213 yards).
Defense: Junior MLB Christopher Paul Jr. (146 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 10 TFL); senior OLB Jayren Fox (136 total tackles, seven sacks, 15.0 TFL); junior OLB Preston Lavant (117 total tackles, two sacks, six TFL); junior DL Kamron Moate (105 total tackles, five sacks, 12 TFL).
Notable: Crisp advanced to the finals after a smothering defensive effort against Jenkins in the semis. Jenkins entered the game averaging 40 points per game, but the Cougars won 14-6. Harber is the 17th coach in Crisp County history and the first to find a path to the championship game. Crisp is relatively balanced, but favors the run, averaging 207 rushing and 116 passing yards per game. Sophomore running back Marquise Palmer anchors the run game. Lofton has hurt opponents running and passing.
Here are the numbers behind the matchup.
Program Records: Cedar Grove 325-198-6 (48 seasons); Crisp County 333-337-14 (63 seasons)
State Playoff Record – Cedar Grove, 17 Appearances (33-17); Crisp County 21 Appearances (14-19)
Consecutive State Playoff Appearances – Cedar Grove 10 (2010-2019); Crisp County 4 (2016-2019)
Consecutive State First Round Victories – Cedar Grove 7 (2013-2019) def. Fannin Co. 36-7; Crisp County 1 (2019) def. Southeast Bulloch 46-0.
Consecutive State Sweet 16 Appearances – Cedar Grove 7 (2013-2019) def. Benedictine 49-13; Crisp County 1 (2019) def. North Hall 41-3.
Consecutive State Elite 8 Appearances – Cedar Grove 5 (2015-2019) def. #1 Peach County 36-3; Crisp County 1 (2019) def. Jefferson 22-20.
Consecutive State Semifinal Appearances – Cedar Grove 5 (2015-2019) def. No. 5 Greater Atlanta Christian 28-18; Crisp County 1 (2019) def. Jenkins 14-6.
Consecutive State Championship Appearances – Cedar Grove 2 (last was 2018 def. Peach Co. 14-13), three appearances overall (28-19 loss to Cartersville 1991); Crisp Co. 1 (2019, first ever state final)
State titles – Cedar Grove 2, def. Greater Atlanta Christian 30-19 (2016) def. Peach Co. 14-13 (2018); Crisp County 0
Cedar Grove's Season
Hapeville Charter 26-16 W
Central-Phenix (AL) 20-24 L
Valor Christian (CO) 27-17 W
McEachern 7-29 L
Lovett 41-17 W
Redan 57-0 W
Towers 60-0 W
Westminster 21-0 W
Pace Academy 41-10 W
Stone Mountain 31-0 W
Playoffs
Rnd 1. Fannin County 36-7 W
Rnd. 2 Benedictine 49-13 W
Qtrs. Peach County 36-3 W
Semis GAC 28-18 W
Crisp County's season
Americus-Sumter 29-14 W
West Laurens 13-16 L
Dutchtown 17-19 L
Tift County 27-14 W
South Gwinnett 24-21 W
Bainbridge 9-14 L
Thomasville 31-14 W
Monroe 33-6 W
Worth County 43-0 W
Cook 35-7 W
Playoffs
Rnd 1. Southeast Bulloch 46-0 W
Rnd 2. North Hall 41-3 W
Qtrs. Jefferson 22-20 W
Semis. Jenkins 14-6 W
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