The Metter Tigers (9-1) will face off against the Hawkinsville Red Devils (7-3) in an exciting home playoff game today at 4:30 p.m. at Metter High School. This game is a part of the 2024 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA – Class A Division II tournament.

Team Records and Key Stats

• Hawkinsville comes into the game with a solid 7-3 overall record, finishing 4-2 in their region. The Red Devils have shown strong offensive performances this season, averaging 26.5 points per game. They have a balanced attack, with 208.5 rushing yards per game and 112.0 passing yards per game. Their defense has allowed 199 points across the season, keeping them competitive in most of their games.
• Metter, on the other hand, has had a dominant season with a 9-1 record. They went undefeated in region play, finishing 8-0. The Tigers are averaging 28.1 points per game, and their defense has been stout, allowing only 83 points all season. Metter’s offensive stats are impressive, with 207.8 rushing yards per game and 98.2 passing yards per game, while their defense holds opponents to just 53 tackles per game.

Key Players to Watch

• Hawkinsville:
  • Zernard Smith, the Red Devils’ leading rusher, has accumulated 75.9 rushing yards per game, providing a consistent ground game for his team.
  • Malek Brown leads the passing attack with 105.0 passing yards per game, and his connection with Bryson Singletary (40.6 receiving yards per game) has been pivotal in their offensive schemes.
  • Nieem Blair is a key playmaker, scoring 8.8 points per game.
• Metter:
  • Michael Ricks has been the standout player for Metter, rushing for 94.1 yards per game and also contributing as a receiver with 86.1 receiving yards per game. His all-around game has made him one of the top offensive threats in the region.
  • Elijah Dickerson has been another key target in the passing game, contributing 53.0 receiving yards per game.
  • Allen Williams is a strong defensive presence, with 8.9 tackles per game, and the Tigers’ defense as a whole has been a big part of their success.

Comparison and Keys to Victory

Both teams have shown they can score, with Hawkinsville averaging 26.5 points per game and Metter averaging 28.1 points per game. The Red Devils will look to exploit Metter’s defense with their ground game led by Smith and Brown, while Metter’s offense will look to continue their high-scoring ways behind Ricks.

A major difference in the teams’ performance is on defense. While Hawkinsville has allowed 199 points this season, Metter has been virtually impenetrable, allowing just 83 points all year. This discrepancy suggests that Metter’s defense may play a major role in determining the outcome.

With Metter’s strong home performance this season (5-0), and Hawkinsville’s mixed record on the road (3-2), the Tigers enter as favorites, but Hawkinsville’s explosive offense could surprise.

The Bottom Line

Today’s playoff matchup promises to be an exciting and hard-fought contest between two teams with very different styles. Metter will look to defend their home field and continue their dominant season, while Hawkinsville will aim to prove that their potent offense can overcome Metter’s stellar defense. This game will be a thrilling clash of strength and strategy in the 2024 GHSA – Class A Division II playoffs.