PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Panthers to host Hornets

If the Union County Panthers want to earn the first state playoff victory in school history this Friday night, Nov. 15, they’re going to have their work cut out for them.

This is the second-straight season the Panthers have lost the region title game to Rabun County with both teams coming into the game undefeated.

Union County is the No. 2 seed from Region 8-AA and will have to get over the 49-7 loss to the Wildcats quickly to make it into the second round of the playoff bracket.

South Atlanta (7-3) comes to town as the No. 3 seed from Region 6-AA. The Hornets bring with them a whole lot of speed and athleticism.

The South Atlanta offense is putting up 29.3 points per game this season, while giving up just 16.5.

The Hornets are led by a dynamic running attack that features strong athletes all over the field.

On offense, senior swing back Pete Boyd (5-foot-5, 160 pounds) will show the Panthers a little more than they’ve seen so far this season coming out of the backfield. Boyd had a 53-yard run last Friday in a 20-6 win against KIPP Atlanta Collegiate.

On the outside, the Hornets have freshman wideout Ricky Lee, who stands just 5-foot-9, but runs the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds.

Freshman Jontez Adams, always a threat to take off out of the backfield, will run the quarterback position for the Hornets.

Starting running back, junior Quintavious Frazier, also plays middle linebacker and is also an excellent athlete.

On defense, South Atlanta is led by senior cornerback Duane Russell, whose 6-foot, 155-pound frame holds a whole lot of speed and an ability to bawl-hawk.

But the Panthers (9-1) have weapons of their own.

Senior quarterback Pierson Allison has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. He leads an offense that has put up 40.9 points per game so far.

Allison has great options at the wide receiver position, including senior Sawyer Drake. Drake surpassed 1,000 yards receiving on the season last week and has caught nine touchdowns.

Fellow senior Kyle Morlock was leading the team in receiving yards before going out on the first offensive play from scrimmage in the team’s sixth game.

While he dressed for the region championship game against Rabun County last week, Morlock never stepped onto the field.

Head coach Brian Allison said Morlock will be a game-time decision against South Atlanta.

Seeing the bulk of the carries for Union County will be junior Jonah Daniel.

Daniel has 1,375 yards rushing on 140 carries this season to go along with 14 touchdowns. He’s also proven to be a threat out of the backfield with 211 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions.

On defense, the Panthers are led by senior defensive back John Mancuso (108 total tackles) and senior linebacker Sloan Sutton (90 total tackles). Juniors Noah Underwood (73 tackles, three sacks) and Kaston Hemphill (71 tackles, three interceptions) also figure in on a defense that is allowing just 18.3 points per game.

Both Allison and Drake will also see time in the secondary for the Panthers’ defense.

South Atlanta is coached by WB Stephens, who is in his second season at the helm.

The Panthers and Hornets are set to kick off the first round of the Class AA state playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in Blairsville.