The Georgia High School Association state playoffs begin this week, and 15 area teams will begin their hopeful quest to the state title game in December.
The biggest question is who can book a ticket to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Right now, the early favorite is Gainesville. Other questions: Does Buford make it? Can Jefferson shake the first round this season? Will Commerce continue its dominance in the playoffs? Does Lumpkin County have enough power to push through, and who will make history?
With that, we've sorted through the 15 games on the schedule and found three games that we believe are Games2Watch.
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GORDON LEE at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Trojans (6-4, No. 4 seed Region 6-3A); Indians (10-0, No. 1 seed Region 7-3A)
Last week: Gordon Lee lost 21-7 to Ringgold; Lumpkin County beat West Hall, 42-7
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lumpkin County: QB Cal Faulkner, RB Mason Sullens, Sr. WR Luke Evans, Sr. LB Preston Cox, Jr. LB Gerald Walker Jr, Sr. LB Will Wood, Sr. LB Nate Gilleland. Gordon Lee: So. QB Dustin Day, Fr. RB Brayden Stoker, So. RB Peyton Groce, So. RB Brisyn Oliver, Jr. RB Dalton Russell, So. Layne Vaughn
WHY WATCH IT? There have been a lot of firsts for the Lumpkin County football team this season: first undefeated season, first region title, and the Indians could add another first on Friday night at the Burial Grounds. In the program's 60-plus years, the Indians have never won a playoff game. That should change this week. The Indians own every statistical category in this game. They're averaging a Class 3A second-best 42.7 ppg and giving up 16.7- 13th in Class 3A.
Conversely, the Trojans are ranked near the bottom in both points scored and allowed. Can you say engage blowout? Most definitely, with the state's leading rusher Mason Sullens, a veteran O-line, and quarterback Cal Faulkner, the Indians should have a record-setting first-round playoff win. The Indians should roll into the second round of the Class 3A playoffs, and that's the only reason to watch this game: to see Lumpkin County make history for the third time this season with a first-ever playoff win.
EAST FORSYTH at LUELLA
Records: Broncos (7-3, No. 3 seed Region 8-4A); Lions (5-5, No. 2 seed Region 5-4A)
Last week: East Forsyth beat North Hall, 42-39; Luella lost 28-14 to Hampton
Where: Luella Stadium, Locust Grove
Time: 4 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: East Forsyth: Jr. QB Brock Szackacs, Jr. RB Gus Martin, Jr. RB/LB Troy Hoover, Sr. RB Tripp Morris, Sr. WR/LB Will Moffitt, Sr. WR Cannon Hunter, Jr. WR/TE Andrew Frank, So. TE Jackson Norman. Jr. Jeremiah Foote, Sr. LB Cameron Frady, Sr. S Amerson. Luella: Jr. QB RL Ward, Sr. RB Nigel Moore, Jr. RB Dayqwon Curry, So. WR Markel Aguirre, Sr. DL Tyler Moore, Sr. LB Kaillen Noble, Jr. FS Antione Reese
WHY WATCH IT? East Forsyth may be a No. 3 seed, but watch out. The Broncos have been in playoff mode since the Madison County loss, needing to win to stay in the playoff race. On Friday, a loss to North Hall would have eliminated the Broncos, but a win would catapult them outside of the playoffs to the playoffs as a No. 3 seed. They did that on Friday with a thrilling come-from-behind victory to capture their first-ever playoff berth in just the program's third season. The Broncos' historic season has a great shot at making more history on Saturday. The Broncos are better in every statistical category than Luella. They're 13th in points scored and 21st in points allowed. Luealla is near the bottom of Class 4A in offense and defense. The Broncos racked up over 500 total yards of offense last week and have scored 127 points in the previous three games. East Forsyth should book the bus for next week because they should be dancing into the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
EAGLES LANDING CHRISTIAN at UNION COUNTY
Records: Chargers (4-6, No. 3 Region 5-2A); Panthers (7-3, No. 2 seed Region 8-2A)
Last week: ELCA beat McNair, 42-26; Union County lost 28-21 to Fellowship Christian
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 1 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Union County: Sr. QB Caiden Tanner, Sr. RB Braylen Rader, Jr. RB/LB Connor Schuknecht, Sr. WR Jensen Goble, Sr. WR Evan McBride, Sr. WR Tyler Grasty, Jr. LB Ethan Lester, Sr. LB Seth Rutan, Sr. DL David Heredia. ELCA: Fr. QB Luke Stansell, Sr. RB Brandon Hood, Jr. RB Gavin Walker, Sr. RB Donavan Anderson, Jr. WR/SS Fenix Felton, Jr. WR T Lewis, Sr. FS Joshua Banks, Jr. LB Carson Schuerman, Jr. DL Anthony Riad.
WHY WATCH IT? The Panthers battle for the program's first region title since 1973 fell a touchdown short at Fellowship Christian last week. However, it wasn't all bad for Union County. With the outcome of the game last week, the Panthers sealed the No. 2 seed via tiebreaker. On paper, some might think ELCA's past playoff successes give them the automatic advantage in this one. In the words of the legendary Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend." The Panthers have shown they do not back down to private school competition this season, playing in a region that houses three powerhouse private schools. Expect the same from the Panthers this week. I've been on the Union County bandwagon since the season started and felt they had the firepower to compete for the region title, and they did. Now, the Panthers have a legitimate shot at knocking off ELCA in Blairsville this week, and I think it will happen. Led by senior QB Caiden Tanner, Class 2A's passing leader, the Panthers are ranked ninth in offense and are 22nd in points allowed. ELCA is 32nd in offense and 50th in points allowed. That's bad news for the Chargers. This game could become a score fest for the Panthers. If it does, it'll be a long ride back to McDonough for the Chargers.
FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
LCA at King's Academy
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Flowery Branch at Creekside
Gordon Lee at Lumpkin County
Hab Central at Douglas
Jackson, Atl at Jefferson -- FM 102.9 WDUN
Jasper County at Commerce
Lakeview at Southland Academy
North Forsyth at Hughes
Rabun County at Social Circle
South Paulding at Gainesville -- 94.5 The Lake
Wheeler at Buford -- AM 550 WDUN
White County at Bremen
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Eagles Landing at Union County,1 p.m.
East Forsyth at Luella, 4 p.m.
North Hall at Stockbridge, 6:30 p.m.
