The 2021 Georgia High School Association football playoffs are finally upon us. And 13 Northeast Georgia-area teams will begin their journeys in what they hope will end with hardware and a trophy.
The playoffs begin on Friday with Classes 7A, 5A, 4A, 3A, and 2A while Class 6A and Class A Public and Private will open the playoffs on Saturday.
There were few surprises after the final week of the regular season concluded last week, unless you consider Commerce dropping all the way to a No. 4 spot. Powerhouse Jefferson finished as the No. 2 seed in Region 8-4A after injuries took their toll. Gainesville seeing it’s 22-year playoff streak come to an end also was stunning.
But Jackson County qualifying for its first playoffs since 2017 has been a positive development. Cherokee Bluff completed its first-ever unbeaten regular season, which also was the first for a Hall County-based team since Gainesville accomplished it in 2009.
But there are plenty of questions surrounding area teams heading into this week’s first round action.
Can Jackson County, a No. 4 seed on the road, get its first-ever playoff win? Can Bluff end Greater Atlanta Christian’s dominance over Hall County teams? Can No. 1 Rabun County beat Pace Academy for a second time in 2021? Will anyone be able to score on No. 1 Buford’s stonewall defense?
We will certainly be watching to find out the answers to these and many other questions beginning on Friday.
FIRST ROUND FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS FOR FRIDAY Nov. 12
(Games listed by date and classification, highest to smallest)
(Games listed by visiting team in alphabetical order)
(All kickoffs at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
CLASS 5A
JACKSON COUNTY at VILLA RICA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Sam McIntyre Stadium, Villa Rica
-- JACKSON COUNTY (5-5, No. 4 seed, Region 8): Lost 34-28 to Apalachee last week
-- VILLA RICA (7-2,No. 1 seed, Region 6): Defeated Maynard Jackson 20-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... Both teams are making their first playoff appearances in several years. It’s the first since 2017 for Jackson County and the first since 2016 for Villa Rica. ... Jackson County has never won a playoff game in its history. The Wildcats have not won a playoff game since 1998. The 7 wins are the most for Villa Rica since 2008. ... The key matchup may be the Jackson County offense (289 points, 28.9 ppg) which is 17th in Class 5A vs. the Wildcats defense, which is tied for 12th (146, 16.2 ppg). ... The Panthers are 5-2 when scoring 20 or more points and have averaged 39.6 ppg in their 5 wins. They have averaged just 18.2 ppg in their 5 losses. ... Jackson County’s Sr. Trey Ransom is 3rd in 5A in rushing (1,299 yards, 15 TD) and has 6 100-yard games on the season. The Panthers are 5th in rushing and 5th (7.3 ypc) in yards/carry. ... Region 6-5A was the worst region in the classification vs. outside opponents (7-21, .250%) in 2021. ... Region 6-5A went 1-3 in the first round in 2020 and no team got past the 2nd round. Region 8-5A went 2-2 in the first round in 2020.
CLASS 4A
HAPEVILLE CHARTER at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- HAPEVILLE CHARTER (5-5, No. 3 seed, Region 6): Defeated Miller Grove 26-7 last week
-- JEFFERSON (9-1, No. 2 seed, Region 8): Ranked 4th in final regular season poll; defeated Madison County 49-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 1-0. The Dragons won 35-0 in the 2nd round of the 2020 playoffs. ... The Dragons should be a heavy favorite even if star So. RB Sammy Brown is still unavailable due to injury. They are 2nd in offense (363, 36.3 ppg) and are the top rushing team in 4A averaging 327 yards/game behind a plethora of backfield weapons. Hapeville is just 28th in defense (200, 20.0 ppg) in 4A. ... But the Jefferson defense has been stout all season and comes in 3rd in 4A allowing just 81 points (8.1 ppg). Hapeville is 31st in offense (206, 20.6 ppg). ... After starting the season 1-5 vs. one of the toughest schedules in the state , the Hornets won their last four, outscoring their opponents 108-39 in that span. However, they are 0-3 vs. ranked teams in 2021. ... Jefferson has made the quarterfinals or better 4 of the last 5 years, including a run to the 4A championship game in 2020. ... Since winning the Class 2A state title in 2017, Hapeville is just 4-3 in the playoffs. ... Region 8-4A went 3-1 in the first round in 2020. Region 6-4A went 2-2 in the first round in 2020.
FLOWERY BRANCH at MAYS
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lakewood Stadium, Atlanta
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (7-3, No. 3 seed, Region 8): Defeated East Hall 61-20 last week
-- MAYS (3-6, No. 2 seed, Region 6): Lost 56-21 to No. 1 Marist last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... The Falcons have been quietly building for the playoffs. Branch has won 4 straight and is now 11th in offense (315, 31.5 ppg). But the Falcons have averaged 39.2 ppg in their last four games. Mays is 43rd out of 54 4A teams in defense (310, 31.0 ppg). ... The Mays offense has struggled all season averaging just 14.2 ppg. Branch has allowed just 15.5 ppg during its 4-game win streak. ... Region 8-4A went 3-1 in the first round in 2020.
CLASS 3A
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM WDUN
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (4-6, No. 4 seed, Region 5): Defeated Redan 45-18 last week
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (10-0, No. 1 seed, Region 7): Defeated White County 30-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 2-0. The Spartans won 35-0 in 2019. ... This is not the same Bluff team GAC dominated during the Bears first two seasons by an aggregate 80-7 score. Bluff is the top scoring team in 3A (445, 44.5 ppg) and is 4th in defense (89, 8.9 ppg). The Bears also are one of just two unbeaten 3A teams (No. 1 Monroe Area). ... This is the first season since 2009 the Spartans have failed to win at least 7 games in the regular season. All 6 of their losses have been to ranked teams. ... Balance has been the key for the Bears. They are averaging 240 yards/game rushing behind Sr. RB Jayquan Smith (1,368 yards, 19 TD) who is 4th in 3A. They are averaging 125 yards passing. ... GAC is in the bottom 10 in 3A in defense, allowing 30.8 ppg. They are averaging just 19.8 ppg ... However, GAC has owned current Region 7-3A teams. They are 38-1 all-time against the current group. Hall County teams also have struggled going 0-17 all-time vs. the Spartans. GAC has won 10 straight first-round playoff games.
NORTH HALL at CARVER-ATLANTA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Henderson Stadium, Monroe Dr., Atlanta
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- NORTH HALL (6-4, No. 3 seed,Region 7): Lost 26-8 to Dawson County last week
-- CARVER-ATLANTA (7-2, No. 2 seed, Region 5): Ranked No. 9 in final regular season poll; won a forfeit over Salem last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... The Trojans are limping into the playoffs having dropped two straight games. Their usually punishing wing-T was held under 100 yards for the first time this season last week. Despite that, they are still leading Class 3A in rushing at just over 320 yards/game. Sr. RB Kevin Rochester is third in 3A with just over 1,450 yards and 17 TD. ... North Hall is still averaging 29.0 ppg despite their lowest point total since a Week 2 shutout loss to Stephens County. ... The Panthers are yielding just 17.1 ppg, however, they have allowed 49 points (24.5 ppg) in their last two games played. ... North Hall has won its last three first round games. Carver is just 2-9 in its last 11 first round games going back to 2008.
SANDY CREEK at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- SANDY CREEK (9-1, No. 3 seed, Region 5): Ranked No. 6 in final regular season poll; defeated No. 1 Cedar Grove 40-35 last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (6-4, No. 2 seed, Region 7): Defeated North Hall 26-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... The Tigers have gotten better as the season has gone on. They started 0-3 but are 6-1 since. ... Defense has been the catalyst. After allowing 100 points ( 33.3 ppg) in the first three games, the Tigers have given up just 92 points over their last 7 games (13.1 ppg) which would put them in the top 10 in 3A. ... They will have their hands full this week against the No. 2 Patriots offense in 3A (419, 41.9 ppg). Stopping Jr. QB Geimere Latimer (2,638 yards, 28 TD passing; 391 yards, 11 TD rushing) will have to be the key. Last week vs. the No. 1 team Latimer accounted for all 6 of their TDs. On the season he has passed for more than 300 yards 4 times, has 7 3-TD passing games, and has rushed for 3 TDs n a game 3 more times. ... The Tigers held Bluff’s offense to just over 200 yards in a 7-point loss three weeks ago. ... The Tigers are 6-0 when scoring 26 or more points and 0-4 when scoring less than 26. Sandy Creek is tied for 16th in 3A allowing 16.9 ppg. The Patriots have allowed 34 or more points three times in 2021. ... Dawson County has won 4 straight 1st round games. This is the first home playoff game for Dawson County since 2018. They are 4-2 at home in the playoffs under Sid Maxwell.
WHITE COUNTY at CEDAR GROVE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panthersville, Ellenwood
-- RADIO: 93.9 FM WRWH
-- WHITE COUNTY (4-6, No. 4 seed, Region 7): Lost 30-0 to No. 10 Cherokee Bluff last week
-- CEDAR GROVE (7-3, No. 1 seed, Region 5): Ranked No. 5 in final regular season poll; lost 40-35 to Sandy Creek last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... The Warriors had their 3-game win streak snapped last week by a very stout Bluff defense. The Saints are 11th in 3A allowing just 14.1 ppg. ... Cedar Grove also is 3rd in 3A in scoring at 41.6 ppg behind Rashod Dubinion (1,056 rushing yards) while White County is giving up 26.1 ppg on defense. ... White County still has two of the more dynamic playmakers in the area in Darius Cannon and Silas Mulligan. But penalties have been a huge problem. They had four plays of 20 or more yards called back last week because of penalties. ... Cedar Grove has won 8 straight first round games. The Saints’ last loss in the opening round came in 2012. They have won 7 straight home playoff games. ... The Warriors have lost 5 straight first round games. Their last win in the opening round came in 2013. White County is 0-9 all-time in road playoff games.
CLASS 2A
PACE ACADEMY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- PACE ACADEMY (6-4, No. 4 seed, Region 6): Defeated KIPP 41-0 last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (9-1, No. 1 seed, Region 8): Ranked No. 1 in Class 2A in final regular season poll; off last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun leads series 1-0. The Wildcats won 47-14 on Aug. 28 in Tiger. ... This will be just the 2nd-ever meeting between the two teams and both have come this season. ... The Knights started slow but finished the season with a 5-game win streak. Rabun has won 9 straight since a season-opening loss to then-No. 1 Jefferson. ... Rabun has won 7 straight first round games. The Wildcats’ last loss in the opening round was in 2013 to GAC on the road. Rabun is 17-4 all-time in home playoff games. ... In the first meeting, the 2nd game of the season for Rabun and the Knights’ season-opener, Rabun scored the final 28 points after leading just 19-14 in the 2nd quarter. The state’s leading passer Gunner Stockton threw for 6 TDs and ran in another score. The state’s leading receiver, Jaden Gibson, caught 3 TD passes as the Wildcats piled up 520 yards of total offense. ... Also in the first game, Pace managed just 219 total yards despite holding the edge in time of possession 33 minutes to 15 minutes.
UNION COUNTY at LOVETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Conley-Oakley Field at Memorial Stadium, Atlanta
-- UNION COUNTY (3-6, No. 3 seed, Region 8): Defeated Gilmer 49-48 last week
-- LOVETT (7-3, No. 2 seed, Region 6): Off last week; defeated McNair 44-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Lovett leads series 4-0. First meeting since 2013, a 56-21 win in the first round of the playoffs. Just the 2nd meeting since 1971. ... Lovett comes in riding a 4-game win streak outscoring its opponents 164-6 with 3 shutouts. ... Union County snapped a 2-game losing streak last week and has won 3 of its last 5 after an 0-4 start under new coach Michael Perry. ... Panthers’ Sr. QB Logan Helcher has really come on over the 2nd half of the season. He is now 3rd in 2A in passing (1,875 yards, 21 TD). He led a huge comeback last week accounting for all 7 Panthers’ TDs with 3 passing and 4 rushing. ... Union has 7 players with 11 or more catches and 100 or more yards. Jr. Griff Young has 37 grabs for 490 yards and 5 TD and Sr. Keyton Chitwood has 30 catches for 481 yards and 9 TDs. ... However, turnovers have been an issue for the Panthers, who have 13 (7 fumbles, 6 INT) on the season. ... Lovett is 8-1 in its last 9 first round games and 9-2 in home playoff games going back to 2012. ... Union County has never won a road playoff game. They are 0-5 all-time away from Blairsville.
BANKS COUNTY at SOUTH ATLANTA
-- WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lakewood Stadium, Atlanta
-- BANKS COUNTY (2-7, No. 4 seed, Region 8): Lost 20-18 to Elbert County last week
-- SOUTH ATLANTA (9-1, No. 1 seed, Region 6): Defeated Columbia 36-32 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... The Hornets are in the midst of their best season in program history. The 9 wins are the most in a season and a current 9-game winning streak also is a new program record. ... The Leopards nearly pulled a big upset last week and have looked much better over the past month. They’re averaging more (15.3 ppg) on offense and giving up fewer (29.4 ppg) on defense than in 2020. ... South Atlanta will be another huge challenge. The Hornets are 3rd in 2A in scoring (42.1 ppg) averaging just under 360 yards/game. ... Banks County is 0-5 in road playoff games all-time.
GAPPS 8-MAN
SHERWOOD CHRISTIAN at LANIER CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Gainesville
-- SHERWOOD CHRISTIAN (2-5, No. 3 seed GAPPS 2-2A): Lost 38-6 to Peachtree Academy last week
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN (8-2, No. 2 seed GAPPS 1-2A): Defeated Fideles Christian 60-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting ... On paper, this is a major mismatch. The Lightning are 4th in GAPPS averaging 42.3 ppg while the Eagles have allowed 251 points (35.8 ppg). But it’s on defense where LCA has been dominant. They have given up just 53 points (5.3 ppg). No one has scored more than 14 on them in any game and they have 5 shutouts on the season. ... Sherwood has scored just 77 total points (11.0 ppg). ... LCA Jr. Carter Raulerson (543 yards rushing, 7 TD) has moved to quarterback and they still have Fr. RB Zeke Clanton (1,369 yards, 21 TD) for a potent 1-2 ground attack. ... Turnovers have been the key issue for LCA. They have 13 on the season, which led to both of their losses. But they are an amazing plus-17 in turnover ratio having produced 30 turnovers (3.0 turnovers/game) so far.
FIRST ROUND FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS FOR SATURDAY Nov.13
(Games listed by date and classification, highest to smallest)
(Games listed by visiting team in alphabetical order)
(All kickoffs at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
CLASS 6A
KELL at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- KELL (6-4, No. 4 seed, Region 6): Defeated Lassiter 34-6 last week
-- BUFORD (9-1, No. 1 seed, Region 8): Ranked No. 1 in final regular season poll; defeated Dacula 42-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 2-0. All three meetings have been in the playoffs. The Wolves won 44-11 in 2018 in the 2nd round of the Class 5A playoffs. ... After a 1-3 start, the Longhorns went 5-1 over their last 6 games, including beating Lassiter last week in a winner-take-all battle for the final playoff spot. ... Kell is just 2-6 in its last 8 playoff games going back to 2016. ... Buford has won 22 consecutive first round playoff games. The last time Buford failed to win a first round game was in 1997. ... For the Longhorns to have any chance they will have to figure out a way to solve the Buford defense. The Wolves lead 6A allowing just 63 points (6.3 ppg) and have allowed just 16 points over their past 7 games (2.2 ppg). They have surrendered just two TDs in that span. ... Kell is averaging just 14.6 ppg and is 35th in 6A averaging just 232 yards/game.
CLASS A PUBLIC
COMMERCE at BOWDON
-- WHEN: 7 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warren P. Sewell Field, Bowden
-- COMMERCE (6-4, No. 4 seed, Region 8): Lost 35-6 to Lincoln County last week
-- BOWDON (9-1, No. 1 seed, Region 6): Ranked No. 6 in final regular season poll; efeated Armuchee 44-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 1-0. The Tigers won 41-22 in 1st round of 2002 Class A playoffs. ... Commerce is a 4-seed for the first time since the GHSA got rid of the power rankings for Class A Public. The Tigers have won 7 straight first round playoff games and are 3-4 in their last 7 road playoff games. The Red Devils are just 1-3 in their last 4 home playoff games. ... The Tigers will pose a serious challenge to the Red Devils, who are 9th in defense allowing just 11.6 ppg. The Tigers also lead the classification in rushing at 290 yards/game rushing in their revamped I-bone attack. Commerce Fr RB Jaiden Daniels, in just 7 games, has climbed to 3rd in Class A Public in rushing with 1,327 yards. He has 13 TD. ... Bowdon is 12th in offense averaging 33.1 ppg while Commerce is yielding 18.7 ppg on defense.
