The Georgia High School Association playoffs are just getting warmed up as it moves into the quarterfinal round. Four teams in our northeast Georgia overage area are still alive -- and all four will be at home -- but each faces a tough matchup as they look for semifinal berths.
And once again Jacobs Media will provide action for half of them on our radio stations and live streaming.
In Class 6A, Buford has rolled into the Elite 8 behind a punishing ground game and its bruising, top-rated defense. And for the third straight week the Wolves will face a team they have never encountered, playing host to Hughes out of Atlanta at Tom Riden Stadium. You can hear the game live on WDUN AM 550 (Click to listen live). Buford (10-1) has steamrolled its first two opponents (Douglas County and Cambridge) by a 90-7 mark while advancing to its 21st consecutive Elite 8 round. The Panthers (11-1) are making their first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals. Experience is sure to be on the Wolves' side with a group that is coming off winning the Class 5A state title last season. But the Panthers bring in the best offense and defense Buford has seen in the playoffs in 2020. Another positive note: Buford is 17-3 in quarterfinal games since 2000.
And over on FM 102.9 WDUN (Click to listen live) fans will be able to tune in to hear Jefferson take on Carver-Columbus in a titanic Class 4A battle between region champions. The Dragons (12-0) have outscored their opponents 100-0 in the playoffs behind one of the state's best ground attacks led by junior quarterback Malaki Starks. The defense is No. 2 in Class 4A yielding just 7.9 ppg on the season. The Tigers (10-0) bring in the No. 3 offense, however, and is giving up just 9.9 ppg on the season. A win for Jefferson would give the Dragons their first semifinal appearance since 2016.
Friday Game Night will keep you in tune with all of these contests and the rest of the area teams in action on Friday. Be sure to check in with us throughout both days and keep up with live scoring on Twitter: @FridayGameNight.
STATE PLAYOFFS 3rd ROUND SCHEDULE FOR Dec. 11
(Games at higher seeded team)
CLASS 6A
Hughes (Region 4, Seed 2) at Buford (Region 8, Seed 1) -- WDUN AM 550
CLASS 4A
Carver-Columbus (R2, S1) at Jefferson (R8, S1) -- FM 102.9 WDUN
CLASS 2A
Bleckley County (R3, S4) at Rabun County (R8, S1)
CLASS A PUBLIC
Irwin Cunty (R2, S1) at Commerce (R8, S1)
