Two traditional playoff participants will meet here Friday night at Memorial Stadium when Ware County and Tucker clash in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs.
The Region 1-AAAA runner-up Gators (5-5), who have their fewest wins in a season since finishing 5-6 in 2017 and are coming off a wild 48-41 setback to New Hampstead, are making their 23rd consecutive state playoff appearance and are participating for the 25th time in 26 years.
Ware County has tasted a first round victory in each of the last 17 years since exiting early in 2006.
The Region 5-AAAA third-seed Tigers (7-3) have also appeared in 25 of the last 26 playoff brackets with this year moving their streak to 18 consecutive years of post-season appearance.
Tucker, however, has lost six consecutive first round games since a semifinal appearance in 2017. It was the last of seven semis in an 11-year stretch for the program.
Friday’s matchup is the third between the two programs — all in the state tournament. The Tigers administered a 42-3 shellacking in the 2010 Class 4A quarterfinals as the No. 3 ranked school and a 29-0 shutout in the Class 5A quarterfinals in 2013 as the top-ranked team.
“They are big and athletic,” head coach Jason Strickland said of the Tigers. “This is a really, really good football team.”
Former Ware County head coach Franklin Stephens was the Tucker head man during those early matchups.
In other Region 1 vs. Region 5 matchups, seventh-ranked defending champion Perry will host fourth-seed St. Pius X, eighth-ranked third-seed Benedictine travels to region runner-up Southwest DeKalb and ninth-ranked fourth-seed Warner Robins gets topranked and unbeaten region champ Marist.
The Tigers, who lost their last game to No. 1 Marist 60-22 (53-14 at halftime), reached seven wins for the first time since 2018 under third-year head coach Wayne Jones (17-15).
Over the last seven years, the once dominate program has struggled to a 3538 won-loss mark with no region crowns after going 204-33 with 11 region championships and two state titles from 2000-2017.
Tucker brings a high-powered spread attack into the matchup. The Tigers are averaging 35.5 points per game scoring 33 points or more seven consecutive times from Game 2 through Game 8. Sophomore Jace German (6-foot, 175 lbs.) directs the balanced attack. Tucker averages 161.9 yards rushing (20 touchdowns) and 168.4 yards passing (20 touchdowns).
“This offense is different than what we saw last week (New Hampstead),” Strickland said. “Last week the quarterback wanted to stay in the pocket and this week the quarterback will run. The passing game concept is totally different as well. It’s more half the field concepts and if it isn’t there he (German) will scramble.” German is completing 60 percent of his passes (135-of-223) for 1,684 yards with 21 touchdowns against two interceptions behind a huge offensive line. He’s also rushed for 487 yards (one 100-yard night) and six scores. He has lost three of his five fumbles for turnovers.
“He is an explosive athlete,” said Strickland. “They are built to run and then you throw in the RPO (runs/pass option) with German and they are tough.
Senior Izayah Horshman (5-10, 180) is the leading rusher with 578 yards (two 100-yard games) and 11 touchdowns.
The Tigers have 11 receivers with at least one catch, six with over 100 yards in receptions and eight with at least one touchdown.
Senior Elijah Grant French (6-1, 185) leads the team in receptions (28), yards (390) and touchdowns (nine). Sophomore Jayden Joyner (6-foot, 175) is second in receptions (26), third in yards (270) and one of five receivers with two scores. Classmate Joziah Horne (5-10, 175) has 24 catches for 325 yards and two scores.
“The running back is very good and the receivers are very athletic,” said Strickland. “French will be the best athlete on the field. He lines up everywhere on both sides of the ball and handles all of the kicking duties. He’s special.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Tucker is allowing 21.8 points per game inflated by the 65 points Valdosta scored in the opener, the 42 Southwest DeKalb posted and the 60 by Marist in the regular season finale. The other seven opponents averaged 7.6 points with six scoring nine points or less.
The Tigers use an odd-man front anchored by a pair of 280-pounders and a 300-pounder. They play a Cover 2 shell on the back end.
Sophomore linebacker Ja’Mare Tolliver (5-10, 215) leads the team in tackles with 75 and tackles for loss with five. Junior defensive back D.J. McLendon (61, 175) is second with 64 tackles.
Sophomore linebacker Thaddeous Tillman (5-10, 190) and French, who plays in the defensive backfield, each have 39 stops. Tillman has four TFLs. Sophomore defensive end Izaiah Williams (6-foot, 185) leads the team in sacks with two.
“The key for us is being able to get to those two linebackers,” Strickland said. “Their (Tigers) defensive front is gigantic. Teams who have had success were able to get to the backers. They are not a high blitzing team.
“We’ve got to be able to establish the run and not commit turnovers. We made some mistakes last week and then had to chase points. Overall, I thought we left points on the field.”
