It pays to be No. 1
All five No. 1 seeds from various northeast Georgia-based regions claimed wins on Friday in the first round of the GHSA playoffs.
Mill Creek (Class AAAAAA), Lanier (Class AAAAA), Buford (Class AAAA), Dawson County (Class AAA) and Rabun County (Class AA) each picked up victories -- though they did not all come easy.
In fact it proved a tough night for a number of squads, as only the No. 1 seeds and two No. 2 seeds moved on to the second round.
Gainesville (Class AAAAA) and Jefferson (Class AAA) each kept their seasons alive with home victories.
The Red Elephants made it eight straight seasons with a first round victory, edging out Alexander 25-14 at City Park. Gainesville moves on to the second round where it will travel to top-ranked Stockbridge next Friday.
Jefferson, meanwhile, ran all over Pepperell for a 49-0 win, securing a second round showdown with Blessed Trinity.
Elsewhere, seasons came to an end for East Hall, North Hall, West Hall, Stephens County and Union County -- which fell in overtime to end its bid for a first-ever state playoff victory.
Mill Creek, Buford and Rabun County each cruised into the second round. The Hawks overcame a few sloppy offensive moments for a 46-13 win over Northview. They will host Newnan next week. Buford blanked Fayette County 35-0 to set up a second round contest with Worth County, and Rabun County will get its second straight home playoff contest after blitzing Bremen 49-14. The Wildcats will host Early County next week.
Dawson County made the most of its first ever home playoff win, winning a 63-40 shootout over Ringgold. The Tigers will take on Spencer next week in Dawsonville.
And Lanier got its first-ever home playoff win, fending off East Paulding 27-13 in Sugar Hill. The Longhorns will tackle Northgate next week in a battle of the top two defensive squads in Class AAAAA.
Scroll down for a complete look at Friday's first round scores and next week's playoff match-ups. Also check out our Friday Game Night page for in-depth game stories from throughout the area.
FIRST ROUND STATE PLAYOFF SCORES FOR AREA TEAMS, NOV. 13
CLASS AAAAAA
Mill Creek 46, Northview 13
CLASS AAAAA
Allatoona 52, Winder-Barrow 3
Gainesville 25, Alexander 14
Lanier 27, East Paulding 13
CLASS AAAA
Buford 35, Fayette County 0
Carrollton 34, Stephens County 7
Sandy Creek 49, North Hall 0
CLASS AAA
Dawson County 63, Ringgold 40
Calhoun 34, West Hall 7
Jefferson 49, Pepperell 0
Sonoraville 49, East Hall 28
CLASS AA
Bowdon 56, Union County 55 OT
Rabun County 49, Bremen 14
SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FOR AREA TEAMS, NOV. 20
CLASS AAAAAA
Newnan at Mill Creek
CLASS AAAAA
Northgate at Lanier
Gainesville at Stockbridge
CLASS AAAA
Worth County at Buford
CLASS AAA
Spencer at Dawson County
Jefferson at Blessed Trinity
CLASS AA
Early County at Rabun County
CLASS A Public (first round)
Commerce at Charlton County
