War Eagles head to Cartersville looking for first playoff win

CARTERSVILLE - The Chestatee football is more than happy to be making its second straight playoff appearance.

But, getting that first-ever playoff win in school history is going to be tough as the War Eagles travel to Cartersville Friday night in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs.

Chestatee (7-3) already has set a school-record in wins but will have to play perhaps its finest game ever to get by the Purple Hurricanes (9-1) whose only loss was to Class AA No. 2-ranked Buford 28-25 in a game where they had the lead late in the fourth quarter and missed a field goal at the end that would have sent it to overtime.

GAME SUMMARY:

Chestatee: 7-3, fourth seed in Region 7A-AAA, lost 28-6 to North Hall last week, snapped a four-game win streak; second straight playoff appearance, lost 49-0 to Stephens County in 2005 in first-ever playoff game.

Cartersville: 9-1, No. 1 seed in Region 6-AAA, beat Central-Carroll 40-21 last week, won eight straight since falling 28-25 to Buford back on Sept. 8th in a classic; fourth straight playoff appearance and eighth in last nine years, won the Class AA state title in 1999 beating Hart County 27-21 in the final

Last meeting: first-ever meeting

NOTES: The War Eagles weren't expected to make the playoffs this year and are ecstatic about making their second straight appearance. But, they draw a tough road assignment taking on the Purple Hurricanes, who came the closest to knocking off Buford this season. Cartersville won another classic against then-No. 2 ranked Carrollton two weeks ago 41-37 to win the region title. The Hurricanes have scored 31 or more points in seven straight games and 40 or more five times in that stretch. They have been vulnerable defensively the past three weeks allowing just under 30 points a game. Chestatee, meanwhile, has improved the most on defense over the past five weeks allowing just 62 points (12.2 ppg) after allowing 104 points in back-to-back losses to Flowery Branch and Gainesville. Chase Vasser was all over the field last week against North Hall and has become a stalwart at linebacker. The War Eagles' best chance is to control the ball with their solid running game behind Ethan Souther, JoJo Sweet, and Will Fuller. Cartersville is 4-0 in its last four home playoff games and has not lost at Weinman Stadium in the playoffs since losing to two-time defending Class AA champion Charlton County in the quarterfinals of the 2000 Class AA playoffs.