Class 2A Area Duals Preview

IT'S REGION/AREA DUALS WEEK!!!!!!!!

CLASS 2A AREA 1 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 1: Hosted by Jeff Davis
Berrien, Cook Co, Dodge Co, Fitzgerald, Jeff Davis, Sumter Co

Two tiers of teams here, with Berrien, Cook, and Jeff Davis pulling away from the other teams in this Area.  Heading into the season we gave the nod to Cook Co, however Berrien defeated Cook 51-30 at the Hornet Duals in early December.  Jeff Davis has picked up a few nice wins along the way and should have a great semifinal matchup with the Hornets.  The 2nd tier of teams gives us Dodge Co, Fitzgerald, and Sumter Co fighting it out for the Area's final spot in the playoffs.  Dodge Co qualified for the State Duals last year, and that experience could be the difference this year against Sumter Co.

Prediction:
1. Berrien
2. Jeff Davis
3. Cook Co
4. Dodge Co
5. Sumter Co
6. Fitzgerald

CLASS 2A AREA 2 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 2: Hosted by Central Macon
Central Macon, Jordan, Kendrick, Northeast Macon, Rutland, Southwest, Spencer

The Southwest Patriots seem to have a stranglehold on the Area right now with wins over Central, Rutland (twice), and Northeast.  After that it appears to be a 4 way battle for the final 3 playoff spots.  Both Jordan and Rutland hold Area wins over Kendrick, Jordan has also defeated Spencer this season.  Northeast brought 10 wrestlers to the Smackdown in Mactown and finished ahead of both Central and Rutland.

Prediction:
1. Southwest
2. Jordan
3. Northeast
4. Central Macon
5. Rutland
6. Kendrick

CLASS 2A AREA 3 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 3: Hosted by Brantley Co
Appling Co, Brantley Co, Pierce Co, Toombs Co, Vidalia, Windsor Forest

This is a pretty competitive Area from top to bottom, and it has produced some results to give us an idea of what may transpire this weekend.  Brantley Co, Pierce Co, Toombs Co, and Vidalia are the teams that I believe will qualify for the playoffs, but Appling Co could be a tough out for someone.  Vidalia and Brantley have wrestled 3 duals this year, with Vidalia winning the first two comfortably, and Brantley coming out on top 42-41 on December 20th.  Toombs has been rolling right along, and they have a 45-28 win over Brantley Co under their belt.  While Pierce Co does have a win over Windsor Forest, I haven't seen any results from them going against the other top teams in the Area.  The 4/5 matchup will likely determine the 4th spot in the playoffs, and the semifinals will be 2 hotly contested bouts.

Prediction:
1. Toombs
2. Vidalia
3. Brantley Co
4. Pierce Co
5. Appling Co
6. Windsor Forest

CLASS 2A AREA 4 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 4: Hosted by Putnam Co
Butler, Glenn Hills, Josey, Laney, Putnam Co, Washington Co, Westside Augusta

Butler, Josey, and Laney don't have enough wrestlers in the system to even field half of a lineup, so the other 4 teams will likely be the 4 State Qualifying teams from the Area.  With wins over both Westside and Washington Co, Glenn Hills is in great shape to take the Area Runner-up title behind Putnam Co.  Westside and Washington Co should have a great battle for the 3rd place spot.  Putnam Co is 9-9 in duals this season, and they have notable wins over Houston Co, Lamar, and Walnut Grove.

Predictions
1. Putnam Co
2. Glenn Hills
3. Westside, Augusta
4. Washington Co
5. Laney

CLASS 2A AREA 5 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 5: Hosted by Landmark Christian
Callaway, Columbia, Eagles Landing Christian, Landmark Christian, McNair, Redan, South Atlanta, Towers

South Atlanta and Towers do not have anyone on their rosters in the system, while Columbia, McNair, and Redan have very small rosters.  Those three schools look to be in line to battle it out for the 4th and final playoff spot, if they choose to compete in the Area Duals tournament.  Callaway looks to have a small, but talented roster, and while that will serve them well when the traditional side of things rolls around, it will hurt their chances here, but they do have enough to finish in the top 4 and qualify for the State Duals.  That leaves us with an Area Duals final between ELCA and Landmark.  With Landmark having won the Area Duals last season, and pushing all the way to the Elite 8, I think you have to give them the nod.  However it will be a close dual, as ELCA has more top end talent than Landmark, they just don't have enough of it to spread throughout the lineup.

Predictions:
1. Landmark Christian
2. Eagles Landing Christian
3. Callaway
4. Redan
5. Columbia
6. McNair

CLASS 2A AREA 6 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 6: Hosted by Fellowship Christian
Fellowship Christian, Mt Paran, North Cobb Christian, Therrell, Walker, Washington

Therell doesn't have any wrestlers in the system, and BT Washington only has 8 on their roster.  The other 4 teams can field close to a full lineup, but have been pretty inconsistent with most of their weigh in sheets.  There aren't very many dual results for any of these teams, so the predictions are more like guesses.

Predictions:
1. Fellowship Christian
2. Mt Paran
3. North Cobb Christian
4. The Walker School
5. BT Washington

CLASS 2A AREA 7 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 7: Hosted by Rockmart
Gordon Central, Haralson Co, Model, Murray Co, North Murray, Rockmart

Rockmart has solidified itself as the favorite to win the entire classification, and they should roll through Area Duals this weekend.  After Rockmart, things get a little murky, North Murray has defeated Murray Co three times this year, and they also have 2 wins over Gordon Central.  Haralson Co has a few quality wins this year, but I haven't seen any results for them vs an Area opponent.  Model has had several strong showings at individual tournaments, but I haven't seen many dual results for them.  The seeds for this tournament will be key in determining which 4 teams will advance to the State Playoffs.  Look for their to be a dogfight in the 4/5 matchup in the Area Duals with the loser being in a dogfight against the loser of the 2/3 semifinal match to determine the 4th spot in the playoffs.  

Predictions:
1. Rockmart
2. Haralson Co
3. Model
4. North Murray
5. Murray Co

CLASS 2A AREA 8 DUALS PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Area 8: Hosted by Banks Co
Athens Academy, Banks Co, East Jackson, Fannin Co, Union Co

CLASS 2A SUPER DUAL ALERT:  Banks Co vs Fannin Co

Athens Academy does not have any wrestlers in the system, so the 4 qualifying teams are set.  Banks and Fannin have clearly established themselves as the top 2 teams in the Area.  East Jackson and Union Co will be a great battle for 3rd, but all eyes will be on the Finals match in this Area.  The impact of this dual between Banks and Fannin will have a huge impact on the rest of the 2A Duals postseason.  If the bracket Gods are cruel, the loser of this Dual could end up travelling to Rockmart for the State Sectionals, thus eliminating one of the top three teams in the State before the Elite 8.  Even if the bracket Gods are with us fans, the lose of this dual will more than likely be seeded on the same side as Rockmart in the Elite 8.

Predictions:
1. Fannin Co
2. Banks Co
3. Union Co
4. East Jackson

TOP 8 DUAL TEAMS

1. Rockmart
2. Fannin Co
3. Banks Co
4. Toombs Co
5. Putnam Co
6. Landmark Christian
7. Vidalia
8. Haralson Co

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