Raiders open against AAAA runner-up Marist

MT. AIRY - The Habersham Central football team will find out very quickly if it is a pretender or a contender for the Class AAAA state title this year.

The Raiders (9-1, No. 2 seed from 8-AAAA) open the first round of the playoffs at home against last year's state runner-up Marist. The War Eagles (8-2, third seed from Region 6-AAAA) are a perennial playoff power making its 25th straight appearance in the playoffs with two state titles, the most recent coming in 2003.

Meanwhile, Habersham is making its third straight trip to the playoffs but just its fourteenth appearance ever. Raiders coach Gene Cathcart says he has plenty of respect for Marist.

"They were the AAAA runners-up last season. They've been here before so it will be tough challenge," he said.

Habersham will have one advantage. They are playing at Raider Stadium where they have won 11 straight overall and 12 of their last 13 games over the past two season.

"It's very important since we play well at home and I expect it to be a great atmosphere," he said. "But we will have to play our best game of the season.

LAST MEETING: 1990 playoffs, Marist won 21-14 (Marist leads series 2-0, other meeting was in 1984)

NOTES: An interesting matchup for the Raiders. Marist is The War Eagles only losses were to top-five team Tucker and Mays in overtime. They are averaging 31 ppg and have won seven of their last eight games. The key will be the high-flying Habersham offense against a very improved Marist defense. After yielding 91 points in its first four games Marist has allowed just 7.5 ppg over its last six games. The Raiders are averaging 35 ppg and have scored at least 28 points in every game and more than 40 four times.

Other Region 8-AAAA VS. Region 6-AAAA playoff games Friday, 11-16

St. Pius (4) at Salem (1)

Clarke Central (4) at Tucker (1)

Cedar Shoals (3) at Mays (2)