Georgia

CFP national title game: Georgia, TCU and a battle of offenses

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2023

CFP national title game: Georgia, TCU and a battle of offenses

After two intently contested and extremely entertaining School Soccer Playoff nationwide semifinal showdowns Saturday, the title conflict is about: defending champion and undefeated Georgia in opposition to this season’s Cinderella program from TCU.

As each groups get set to descend upon Los Angeles later this week for the Jan. 9 recreation at SoFi Stadium, right here is an early take a look at the matchup between the No. 1 Bulldogs (14-0) and No. 3 Horned Frogs (13-1).

Matchup to Watch

TCU WR Quentin Johnston and QB Max Duggan vs. Georgia’s secondary.
Johnston didn’t appear to battle in opposition to Michigan’s stout defensive secondary, catching six passes for 163 yards and a landing within the Fiesta Bowl. The efficiency continued a sensational season for Johnston, the junior from Temple, Texas, who has caught 65 passes for greater than 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns. Duggan and his go-to goal have confirmed that, irrespective of the model and expertise throughout the road of scrimmage, they will ball.

They now face a Georgia secondary that’s coming off its worst two outings of the season—permitting 502 yards passing in opposition to LSU within the SEC championship recreation and one other 348 yards in opposition to Ohio State within the Peach Bowl. The opposing quarterbacks in these video games accomplished a mixed 54 of 86 passes (63%), threw two interceptions and 7 touchdowns in opposition to Kirby Good’s group. The Georgia coach is aware of that pattern must cease in opposition to TCU.—Ross Dellenger

Quentin Johnston had six catches for 163 yards for TCU in Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl.

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports activities

X-Issue

Tight ends aren’t usually X-Components in video games, however that would be the case heading into the championship recreation.
Darnell Washington, Georgia’s 6’7’’, 270-pound Goliath of a person, left Saturday’s semifinal within the first quarter with a left ankle damage and didn’t return. He was seen limping into the locker room with the assistance of two workers members. Good instructed reporters afterward that he was uncertain of the damage, which some have alleged to be an ankle sprain.

“We’ll have to guage and see,” Good stated. “The excellent news is he’s bought greater than a standard week [in between games]. I do know he’ll do every thing he can to get again. He’s headed out west towards the place he’s from [he was born in Las Vegas]. It will likely be necessary to him to attempt to get again.”

Washington is a drive as a blocking tight finish, in addition to a pass-catcher. He’s bought 25 receptions for 403 yards this season. Washington mixed with No. 1 tight finish Brock Bowers offers Georgia one of many fiercest 1-2 combos in school soccer. Georgia’s important benefit in opposition to TCU is on the strains of scrimmage. Washington is a giant piece of that. If he isn’t capable of go in opposition to TCU, it is going to negatively have an effect on Georgia’s energy operating recreation and red-zone passing.—R.D.

What Georgia Must Do to Win

The Bulldogs had been unsparing within the self-criticism of their efficiency in opposition to Ohio State. Their protection was shredded for a lot of the sport, quarterback Stetson Bennett IV stated he performed “about half-hour of unhealthy soccer,” and Georgia missed two subject objectives. So this isn’t a crew that may come floating into the title recreation on a cloud of self-satisfaction and overlook TCU. The Bulldogs noticed their playoff lives move in entrance of their eyes in a 42-41 victory and acknowledge their fragility, even with a 14-0 document.

“If we would like any probability of profitable a nationwide title, we now have to play so much higher,” Good stated within the wee hours of Sunday morning.

When it comes to specifics, Georgia should do a greater job plastering receivers and dashing the passer. Ohio State’s wideouts had their method with Georgia’s secondary and quarterback C.J. Stroud had an excessive amount of time to learn protection and room to scramble. TCU’s Duggan is a greater runner than Stroud, so Georgia shall be challenged with maintaining him contained.

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia. — Georgia had a tougher time in opposition to Ohio State’s passing performs within the Peach Bowl.
Brynn Anderson/AP

Offensively, Georgia will most likely attempt to attain a greater run-pass stability than it had in opposition to Ohio State. The Bulldogs solely ran the ball 26 instances, their lowest quantity because the season-opener in opposition to Oregon, and coordinator Todd Monken’s offense makes use of loads of play-action within the passing recreation. With much less of a operating menace, there may be much less to idiot defenders.

However Georgia can throw and run, and the depth of its receiving corps was on show on an enormous night time within the Peach Bowl. With Adonai Mitchell at full power and Arian Smith flashing his sprinter velocity, Bennett has a deep array of choices to distribute the ball. As Michigan and others have proven, there are many performs to make in opposition to the TCU protection.

Backside line: Georgia’s A-game is sweet sufficient to beat TCU, and maybe handily. If the Bulldogs clear up some errors and play nearer to their season-long customary, they are going to be repeat nationwide champions.—Pat Forde

What TCU Must Do to Win

One factor Georgia has been inclined to in final 12 months’s SEC championship recreation loss and Saturday’s shut shave within the Peach Bowl: going in opposition to a very elite extensive receiver. The Horned Frogs have that in Quentin Johnston, and they don’t seem to be afraid to make use of him both. Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is nice at discovering artistic methods to get Johnston the ball, together with the display pass-type performs that broke for a landing in opposition to Michigan on Saturday. It can probably take a game-breaking efficiency from Johnston to do the trick.

But when the title recreation turns into a monitor meet, taking part in a one-dimensional recreation in opposition to Georgia shall be robust. Which implies TCU may even want extra manufacturing out of its operating recreation, whichever operating again performs (Kendre Miller or Emari Demercado). That’s a lot simpler stated than achieved in opposition to a entrance anchored by Georgia defensive deal with Jalen Carter.

The Horned Frogs’ protection was salty in opposition to Michigan’s run recreation and nonetheless gave up over 40 factors, though it performed extremely complementary soccer with two pick-sixes of its personal. The protection might have to carry up with out getting presents prefer it did from Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, however how holds up is unclear as a result of it’s tough to know what model of the Georgia offense we’re going to see. If the Bulldogs have Washington, TCU might want to bow up in opposition to the run prefer it did in opposition to the Wolverines. If Washington is out, Georgia has the wideout tandem in Mitchell and Smith to play extra extensive open than one would count on.—Richard Johnson

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Georgia

Study: 2 north Georgia cities among 100 best places to live in the U.S.

Published

16 hours ago

April 16, 2025

Press Room

Study: 2 north Georgia cities among 100 best places to live in the U.S.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – For 12 years now, Livability.com has published its Top 100 Best Places to Live list — and in 2025, Roswell and Athens made the cut.

The website combed through data in partnership with Applied Geographic Solutions, a demographics database, to choose the best U.S. cities with a population between 75,000 and 500,000. But the 2025 edition doesn’t list the cities from 1 to 100. Instead, it has an interactive sorting system, so users can pick and choose which features are most important to them.

Livability.com Editor-in-Chief Amanda Ellis said this year’s list celebrates small and midsize cities where Americans can thrive despite record inflation and a turbulent workforce.

“It’s the only list out there truly honing in on affordability, lauding the amazing, accessible cities across the country other than our large U.S. metros which often get more recognition,” she said.

Roswell, which earned an overall LivScore of 838 out of 1000, scored the highest out of any city for its economy, which is flush with jobs in the healthcare, technology and manufacturing sectors. It also ranked high for its hospitals and amenities.

“With a prime location close to the city, a nearby airport and easy access to the Chattahoochee River, Roswell offers a combination of history, charm and modern amenities, including top-notch health care facilities and list-worthy schools, attractive neighborhoods and plenty of outdoor fun,” Livability.com said in its synopsis.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Metro Atlanta city named one of the best places to live in the U.S. by study

This year marks Roswell’s second time making the list. It ranked No. 12 in 2024.

Meanwhile, Athens hopped on the list for the first time in 2025, earning a LivScore of 646. It scored well for its outdoor environment and public transportation options.

“Athens is alive with Southern charm and a lively arts scene,” Livability.com said. “This vibrant college town is brimming with historic architecture, a thriving music scene and a whole lot of school pride.”

Click here to see Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live list for 2025.

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Georgia

As golf basks in historic Masters, Georgia nonprofit aims to advance access to sport

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2025

Press Room

As golf basks in historic Masters, Georgia nonprofit aims to advance access to sport

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – After a historic weekend at the Masters that saw Rory McIlroy become the sixth golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam, golf is enjoying its spot in the limelight.

It’s also learning to adapt to new players of all skill levels and disabilities.

Dan Schlatterer is in the latter group.

“I had a stroke 10 years ago while I was working in a hospital, ironically,” he said.

The former trauma surgeon and diehard Buffalo Bills fan now struggles to use his left hand. He plays golf using only his right.

“Golf has motivated me to work on my leg strength and my balance,” he said. “That’s why I love coming out here.”

“Out here” is the driving range at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, a site used by the nonprofit Georgia State Golf Association’s (GSGA) Adaptive Golf program.

“Anyone with a physical, cognitive, or sensory impairment can learn and enjoy this great game of golf,” said program director David Windsor.

That openness is a hard contrast with what can seem like an impossible sport to access, even as the game furiously promotes its growth.

Tuesday’s program welcomed nearly two dozen participants. Volunteers helped multiple blind golfers, provided specialized carts for paralyzed players, and provided adaptive training for other physical conditions.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Schlatter said. “It’s never good enough, which is sort of like life, I suppose.”

For some, it’s a light after a tragedy or trauma.

“Golf is helping me get my life back,” said golfer Chris Johnson.

“It is great therapy without ever saying the word ‘therapy,’” added Windsor.

Because more than any other sport, golf isn’t played with the eyes, or the feet, or with strength. Golf is mainly between the ears.

“They can do something that they thought was not possible again,” Windsor said.

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Georgia

Georgia Attorney General confirms human trafficking unit coming to Augusta

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2025

Press Room

Georgia Attorney General confirms human trafficking unit coming to Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta has become a hotspot in the southeast for human trafficking.

And Monday — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr spoke with News 12 on a new human trafficking prosecution unit expansion in Richmond County.

Since its creation in 2019 — the unit has only had one Atlanta based team.

Starting on May 1 there will be a new team, Carr says, that are highly trained and skilled when it comes to human trafficking.

Joining the Augusta team are two local investigators, William Loomer and Patrick Brown, along with Prosecutor Megan Adams.

The team won’t just work the major roadways like I-20 — they will be online too in hopes of creating an environment where traffickers live in fear, but victims understand help is coming to more cities than just Augusta.

“We are going to have offices not only in Augusta, but in Macon and Atlanta,” Carr said. “I think the strategic point there is because human trafficking is so often a very transit-oriented type horrific industry, where today you may be in Atlanta and tomorrow Macon and the next day you may be in Augusta. This allows us to cover I-75, I-85, I-16 and I-20. So we have the major arteries in the state that we will now have a presence.”

Kari Viola- Brooke with Child Enrichment sees trafficking victims daily and says this will put more eyes in the community to help identify the number of growing cases.

“This is something we’ve been advocating for years, it feels like,” Viola-Brooke explains. “A couple years ago, we had the most confirmed cases of child sex trafficking in the state of Georgia, and we knew that we needed a more dedicated response to be able to combat this. We’re so appreciative of the Attorney General’s Office for not only recognizing this, but taking action, and I think it’s just going to make us a much safer community.”

All of this kicks off on May 1 and Attorney General Carr says with the expansion to Augusta and Macon they feel not only will this help reach more victims, but their hope is they can continue to grow the expansions across the state.

You can read the full release here.

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