Buford football knows the route through the state playoffs like a well-trod path home; West Hall, however, is blazing a new trail as it gets set for a second round matchup for the first time in 16 years.
Both will take the next step on Friday in contests broadcast live on the airwaves of Jacobs Media.
The Spartans showed in the first round that they are not treading timidly, traveling to Troup for a 24-21 Class AAAA win. The victory set up another trek -- this week to second-ranked Thomson for a Sweet 16 showdown that will air live on WDUN FM 102.9.
West Hall (7-4) is looking for its first ever quarterfinal berth but faces a Thomson team (11-0) that is gunning for its second Elite Eight spot in a row and has dominated for much of this season, including a 57-23 win over Americus-Sumter in the first round. The Spartans will not be intimidated by the prospect, however, after taking on a daunting regular season schedule and then taking out a Troup team that one computer module pitted as a 20-point favorite.
Meanwhile, Buford (10-1) will play host to Jones County (7-4) on WDUN AM 550 as the Wolves attempt to reach the state quarterfinals for the 17th straight campaign.
The Wolves steamrolled North Springs 45-7 in the first round and have not faced a close finish since September. Jones County took out Wayne County 39-15 in the first round and is looking for its second quarterfinal berth in three seasons. The Greyhounds reached the Class AAAAA third round in 2014, falling 44-41 to Mays.
The showdowns are just two of seven second round contests that feature northeast Georgia programs, as Mill Creek (Class AAAAAAA), Jefferson (Class AAAA), Rabun County and Banks County (each Class AA) and Commerce (Class A Public) all continue their state championship quests on Friday. AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night page will provide score updates on our live scoreboard, as well as in-depth game updates on our twitter feed: @FridayGameNight.
AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night will also present a full wrap of the night's second round action, a look at the quarterfinals, video highlights and in-depth game stories from across the field of northeast Georgia's playoff representatives.
SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
(Area teams listed first)
CLASS AAAAAAA
Mill Creek vs. Cherokee
CLASS AAAAA
Buford vs. Jones County -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
CLASS AAAA
Jefferson vs. West Laurens
West Hall at Thomson -- Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
CLASS AA
Banks County at Benedictine
Rabun County vs. ​Vidalia
CLASS A
Commerce vs. Taylor County
