Last week saw some unexpected upsets and a little more clarity when it comes to the upcoming 2021 playoffs involving Northeast Georgia-area teams.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, here’s what we know about Northeast Georgia-area teams:
-- Buford, Cherokee Bluff, Jefferson, North Hall, Rabun County, and Union County all have clinched spots in their respective classifications.
-- Johnson and West Hall are out.
When tonight’s action kicks off around the area and state, three more teams could have their playoff tickets punched with wins while two others can also clinch, with some outside help.
Dawson County and White County in Region 7-3A can clinch with outright wins, as can Flowery Branch in Region 8-4A, on Friday. Idle Banks County can clinch in Region 8-2A with a Riverside Military loss to Elbert County.
Commerce can clinch a spot in the rugged 8-A Public with a win over Washington-Wilkes, a Lincoln County win over Greene County, and a Towns County win over Social Circle. The Tigers also are still in line for a second consecutive region title.
However, eight teams could see their seasons end with losses tonight.
The biggest name to possibly not advance to the playoffs could be Gainesville in Region 6-7A. The Red Elephants have advanced to 21 consecutive playoffs. But they could find themselves at home for the playoffs for the first time this century unless they can find a way to knock off first place Denmark tonight. A win keeps them alive and could trigger several wild scenarios going into the final week of the season.
Habersham Central in Region 8-6A also could find itself out. But for that to happen Winder-Barrow would have to knock off No. 1 Buford and Shiloh would have to beat Lanier. The former is highly unlikely but the latter is certainly possible in a wide-open battle for the final two spots.
After wins over Loganville and Johnson, Jackson County controlled its own destiny in Region 8-5A. The Panthers are still very much alive despite a loss last week to Eastside. But they could find themselves out with a loss to Greenbrier tonight and an Eastside win over Walnut Grove and an Apalachee win over Loganville.
In an ever-changing Region 7-3A, Lumpkin County, which has been the surprise team in the region, could be out with a loss to Dawson County and a White County win over Gilmer.
As for the rest, it’s do-or-die for East Hall, Riverside Military Academy, Towns County, and Lakeview Academy. It’s win or go home for all four.
IMPRESSIVE STREAKS: Gainesville's long playoff streak is impressive. However, it is only the third-longest such streak among Northeast Georgia-area teams. Buford last week clinched its 23d straight playoff appearance, spanning six classifications. The last time the Wolves did not make the playoffs was in 1998.
But Commerce owns the longest streak among area teams. The Tigers have made 24 straight playoffs and can clinch tonight to make it 25 in a row. The last time Commerce did not qualify for the postseason was in 1996.
HOME COOKING: North Hall has won 13 straight home games played in October or later. Their last loss in that situation was in 2016 against No. 1-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian (42-14). The Trojans also have won 12 straight October or later home games against Hall County schools dating all the way back to 2005. The last county team to beat them in October or later was Chestatee in 2005 (17-10).
STAT LEADERS AFTER WEEK 10: Only two Northeast Georgia players remain as classification leaders in either rushing, passing, or receiving after Week 10 of the 2021 season.
Rabun County’s Gunner Stockton added on to his state lead in passing with another big game last week. He now has 2,927 yards. Aaron Philo of Prince Avenue Christian is second overall and leads Class A Private with 2,738 yards.
After a 3 TD game last week, Stockton also now is tied with former Cartersville standout Trevor Lawrence for the all-time state record in TD passes with 161.
Stockton also sits now at 12,455 career passing yards. He is 1,447 yards behind Lawrence’s all-time total of 13,902. If the Wildcats get to the same spot in the playoffs as last season (semifinals) he would have five more games and need to average 290 yards a game to break the record.
Stockton’s teammate Jaden Gibson also leads Class 2A and the entire state in receiving with 1,315 yards. Gibson increased his state lead to over 200 yards over 2nd place Malik Leverett of Greenbrier (1,097), who leads Class 5A.
Union County Sr. QB Logan Helcher remains third in passing in Class 2A with 1,480 yards and has 17 TDs. The two teams play each other tonight in Blairsville.
With 1,783 yards, Chestatee’s Luke Bornhorst dropped to fourth in Class 4A. East Hall’s Clete Cooper is sixth in 4A with 1,475 yards.
In receiving, Dawson County’s Bailey Dameron fell to second in Class 3A with 943 yards, which is just 2-yards behind classification leader Jaylyn Rice of North Murray. Dameron is sixth overall in the state.
Hunter Fouche of Chestatee is tied for 37th in the state with 588 yards, which is just 111 yards behind Class 4A leader Za'Quan Bryan of Benedictine. Fouche is 4th in Class 4A.
Darius Cannon of White County is 5th in Class 3A with 690 yards and moved up to 34th overall. Hunter Fouche of Chestatee is 35th overall and sixth in Class 4A with 689 yards. Collin Crowder of Towns County is third in Class A Public and 42nd overall with 654 yards.
Towns County’s Kyle Oakes is now third in Class A Public in rushing with 1,256 yards but just 58 yards behind classification leader Rob Brown of Trion (1,314 yards). Oakes is 11th overall in the state.
