Three second round playoff battles to feature live on Friday

Seven area teams are left alive in the state football playoffs, and three of their showdowns will feature live on the airwaves of Jacobs Media on Friday.

Gainesville will battle South Paulding in a top 10 match-up of Class AAAAA teams on 1240 AM; top-ranked Buford will play host to ninth-ranked Woodward Academy in Class AAA on AM 550; and, fresh off its first ever playoff victory Chestatee will travel to No. 1 Sandy Creek in Class AAAA on 102.9 FM.

The War Eagles (9-2) overcame some early jitters to dominate Grady 41-13 last week but know they will face a significantly tougher task this week against a Sandy Creek program that has won three state titles over the last four years.

The Fighting Patriots (10-0-1) feature some of the top talent in the state year-in, year-out, and the 2013 Sandy Creek squad is no different. Running backs Eric Swinney and Delvin Weems are both top recruits, with Swinney holding offers from every major program in the southeast, while receiver Demarre Kitt is committed to Clemson and quarterback Cole Garvin is headed to Marshall. Those skill players are aided by a mammoth offensive line, a mix that has helped Sandy Creek to average 45.1 points per game.

The Patriots defense is also impressive, posting four shutouts this season while giving up 15.2 points per game.

Don't expect Chestatee to be overwhelmed by it all, however.

The War Eagles have shown tremendous grit and determination this season -- largely based around a stingy defense, a physical run game and big-play special teams.

Chestatee is yielding just 13.5 points per game and just 2.61 yards per rush and has given up more than two touchdowns just four times this campaign. Meanwhile, the War Eagles offense is rushing for 279.5 yards per contest.

And while plenty around the state won't give it a second thought, it could well be one of the more intriguing games of the second round.

Gainesville (10-1) also faces another tough opponent this week. The Red Elephants faced down one of the most talented teams in the state -- despite being a No. 4 seed -- in M.L. King last week, winning 28-14 to move past the first round of the postseason for the sixth straight year.

Yet it won't get any easier against a South Paulding team that jumped into the Class AAAAA top 10 this season.

The Spartans (10-1) are the No. 2 seed from Region 5-AAAAA and are in just their sixth year of varsity competition -- and in their first playoff bracket. South Paulding has made its living on offense this season, scoring 40.7 points per game. The Spartans' defense has been porous at times, allowing 21.7 points per game -- but most of their higher point totals allowed came in the first half of the season, and South Paulding has allowed more than 17 points just once in its last five games.

And while Gainesville's Deshaun Watson is ranked as the top dual-threat quarterback in the nation, South Paulding features its own dangerous signal caller in Chandler Burks, who has torched opposing defenses with his arm and legs. Jae Bowen is also a top-notch running back and is a perfect compliment to Burks in the Spartans' spread attack.

It should present an interesting match-up with the Red Elephants' speedy defense -- one which gave up yards but few points and even scored a touchdown of its own in last week's victory.

Speaking of defense, there should be plenty of it on display Friday in Buford, as the top-ranked Wolves play host to Woodward Academy in the Class AAA bracket.

The Wolves are in historic territory, allowing just 5.9 points per game so far this season. Buford gave up a paltry 26 total yards in last week's 58-0 first round win over Sonoraville -- under their season average of 136 yards.

Woodward will present a much stiffer test, however, and the War Eagles feature some playmakers on an offense averaging 32.1 points. Running back Elijah Holyfield and quarterback Terry Googer helped Woodward put up 53 points in last week's first round over North Oconee -- the most the Titans had allowed all season.

Meanwhile, Woodward's defense is allowing 14.7 points per game. The War Eagles have not advanced past the second round since 1999.

The area's other teams face tough tests as well -- it is the final 16 after all -- including Commerce, which will open the Class A public playoffs at home to Charlton County. The Tigers (7-3) are coming off their best regular season record since 2006.

In Class AA, Jefferson (9-2) will travel to Region 5-AA champion Heard County (10-1). The Braves have not advanced past the second round of the postseason since 1990, while the Dragons have not won a road playoff game in some time.

And, in Class AAA, White County (9-2) is getting set for yet another battle with Blessed Trinity (8-3). The Warriors and Titans have already faced each other three times over the past two seasons -- including in last year's first round. Blessed Trinity has won all three so far, but White County will pumped to try and notch its first ever state quarterfinal appearance.

SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS, NOV. 22

Class AAAAAA
North Gwinnett at Archer

Class AAAAA
South Paulding at Gainesville -- Radio: 1240 AM

Class AAAA
Chestatee at Sandy Creek -- Radio: 102.9 FM

Class AAA
Woodward Academy at Buford -- Radio: AM 550
White County at Blessed Trinity

Class AA
Jefferson at Heard County

Class A Public*
Charlton County at Commerce
*-First round match-up for Class A