GPB PREVIEW: Grayson To Host Packers Again

If it feels as though we've seen this before, we have: Grayson hosting Colquitt County with a shot at the state finals on the line and Georgia Public Broadcasting in the house. Colquitt County won 31-24 last season in the exact same conditions as tonight. This season Robert Nkemdiche and Nick Schuessler are back, but for Colquitt County, the faces on offense are much different. Cole Seagraves is under center for Packers head coach Rush Propst and he is tossing to Ty Smith and Bobby Hill this year. Willie Woodyard is also new to the Packers offensive backfield. Colquitt County knocked off North Gwinnett and Camden the last two weeks and is eyeing yet another road upset of a top ten team before the Class AAAAA title game. Grayson meanwhile enters the game with a stout defense and a powerful running game for Coach Mickey Conn. Grayson is No. 5 in the latest USA Today national poll.

The Red Elephants of Gainesville have won two straight coin tosses and this week welcome in the Bears of Burke County after dismissing Sandy Creek one week ago. Gainesville is led by sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has accounted for 53 touchdowns this season and nearly 4000 yards. He has five different receivers to work with, and the sophomore makes it look easy. Fred Payne leads the defense from his spot in the secondary. Burke County meanwhile needed a late score to bounce Allatoona from the postseason, and coach Eric Parker turned to his do-it-all quarter Corey Mayton. This season the senior quarterback has racked up over 2100 yards. Donquell Green can also take over a game for Burke County. This is Burke County's third ever trip to the semifinals but second consecutive season at this stage.