With 15 games on the schedule involving northeast Georgia area teams in the first round of the state football playoffs in the GHSA, GIAA, and GAPPS leagues, there are plenty of intriguing matchups and storylines to go around.
But three games in particular jump to the front with East Forsyth traveling to Luella in Class 4A, Lumpkin County playing host to Gordon Lee in Class 3A, and Union County taking on Eagles Landing Christian in Class 2A in Blairsville.
So, what does the AccessWDUN/Friday Game Night staff think of each of these individual matchups? We examine all three with Bo Wilson, Caleb Hutchins, Walker McCrary, and Jeff Hart.
EAST FORSYTH at LUELLA (Sat. 4 p.m. kickoff)
The Broncos (7-3) finished third in Region 8-4A and are in just their third season as a program. They are playing in their first OFFICIAL playoff game. Luella (5-5) is the No. 2 seed from Region 5-4A.
QUESTIONS: Despite this being the Broncos' first-ever playoff game, do they have the most experience coming in after having had to win each of the last two weeks just to get into the postseason? What are the keys to the game?
JEFF HART: "The Broncos are still a young program with several key players being underclassmen. But they have been in full playoff mode for nearly a month now, having to win their last two games just to get into the playoffs. I think they already understand the do-or-die mentality that is the postseason. The Broncos rushing attack may be the difference in this one. They have a solid O-line with two solid running backs (Gus Martin and Troy Hoover), and if leading-rusher Tripp Morris is back at 100 percent, they could be a team to look out for in Class 4A."
CALEB HUTCHINS: "East Forsyth is at their best when they are running the ball well between the tackles. If they can get that going, the nerves of a playoff environment and a Saturday road game may not matter much, if at all. We saw that running game take some of the energy out of The Brickyard at North Hall last Friday, and it could do the same at Luella this week. This feels like one of those classic #2 vs. #3 toss-up matchups in the 4A bracket."
WALKER McCRARY: "I think the Broncos have the experience they need to be successful. The question is: can the Broncos overlook the fact that this is a playoff game and play like they have the past two weeks? The East Forsyth defense is the key to me. If the front-7 can shut down the running game and make Luella one-dimensional, it will set up the secondary to be able to gamble a little bit and force some turnovers."
BO WILSON: "The Broncos have lived on the edge of playoff extinction for the last three weeks. After back-to-back losses to Cherokee Bluff and Madison County, the playoffs were a mirage in the desert. That mirage turned into water for the Broncos after the come-from-behind victory over North Hall at The Brickyard (last week). East Forsyth will have to start fast on offense. They have a one-two punch out of the backfield with Gus Martin and Troy Hoover, and if Tripp Morris is back to 100 percent, make that a three-headed monster. QB Brock Szackacs is a game manager and can make throws when needed. They may not need to go downfield that much in this one, with the big fellas pushing upfront and the backs churning out yards. Defensively, don't give up the big play. Last week, North Hall racked up 400 yards of offense and scored on a 45-yard pass and a 65-yard run.
COACH BRIAN ALLISON'S THOUGHTS ON THE MATCHUP: "We must do a great job of fitting our gaps and tackling, and of course, we must take care of the football. Eliminating big plays on defense will be a key as well."
GORDON LEE at LUMPKIN COUNTY (Fri. 7:30 p.m. kickoff)
The Region 7-3A champion Indians (10-0) have been around for 63 seasons. They have yet to record a state playoff win (0-6 all-time, 0-2 at The Burial Grounds). They were in this same spot last season and were roughed up by Oconee County at home. Gordon Lee (6-4) is the No. 4 seed from Region 6-3A.
QUESTIONS: Can the Indians get their 1st-ever playoff win against a Trojans squad that also does not have much playoff history? What do you see as the keys to the game?
JEFF HART: "The Indians have already checked off two of their Bucket List items this year in winning their first-ever region championship and completing the program's first-ever undefeated regular season. Can they check off another box with their first-ever playoff win? No doubt whatsoever. Mason Sullens should be able to run wild behind an experienced O-line. The only thing that could derail them would be overconfidence. They have the talent to put this one away quickly. Strong tackling on defense and staying away from turnovers and penalties is the key to making sure of that."
CALEB HUTCHINS: "Last year, Lumpkin County was just happy to be in the playoffs for the first time in eight years. This year, they won't be happy going home with a first-round exit. Heath Webb has changed the expectation level in Dahlonega, and the expectation for this Friday is to win. I expect them to do that behind the two-headed rushing moster of Mason Sullens and Cal Faulkner. A strong showing could set up a rematch of last year's first-round game with Oconee County, this time in Round 2."
WALKER McCRARY: "Can the Indians win? Yes, they can, and yes, they will. They will have the Gold City crowd behind them on Friday night and enforce their will early and often in the running game. As far as the keys go, the Indians need to just do what they have been doing. They have scored on everyone they have played, and their defense has shown up in all but one game. Get the running game going and get the defense flying around, and the Indians will host another (playoff) game next week."
BO WILSON: "The number of weapons the Indians have in their (offensive) arsenal will be way too much for Gordon Lee to handle. The Indians have proven they are a rushing team with the classification's leading rusher, Mason Sullens. However, they are not afraid to throw the ball as well with QB Cal Faulkner – and he can run, too! So, yes, the Indians will make history for the third time this season by winning their first playoff game. The keys are simple in this one: hand the ball off to Sullens and let him go to work behind a veteran offensive line. Defensively, Lumpkin's speed will be hard for Gordon Lee to get past."
COACH HEATH WEBB'S THOUGHTS ON THE MATCHUP: "We've got to be us – be dominant at the line of scrimmage on both sides, run the ball, stop the run, and make explosive plays when the time comes. Gordon Lee has some playmakers that we need to contain and some size up front we need to defeat. Turnovers can be the difference in this one. We've got to win that facet of the game."
ELCA at UNION COUNTY (Sat. 1 p.m. kickoff)
The Panthers, who are the No. 2 seed from Region 8-2A, were just a few plays from winning their first region title since 2013. Injuries in the middle of the season with the defense skewed their numbers. Most everyone is back healthy for the Panthers (7-3), and they have the classification's top passer in Caiden Tanner. ELCA (4-6) finished its worst regular season since 2003.
QUESTIONS: ELCA has won 6 state titles since 2012. The Panthers have just two playoff wins in their history. Can the Panthers get a 3rd playoff win vs. the perennial playoff-tested Chargers? What do you see as the keys to the game?
JEFF HART: "The Panthers have the talent to not only win this game but maybe make some noise in Class 2A. They have the classification's top passer in Caiden Tanner and a wealth of talent at receiver that can pressure any defense. Yes, the Chargers have been a perennial playoff power, but they are under new management since long-time coach Jonathan Gess left to take over Hebron Christian in 2022. This is not the same ELCA program that won 6 state titles in 8 years. The Union County defense is much better than their numbers indicate and is the key to me in this one. They are nearly back to 100 percent and held two really good offenses (Athens Academy and Fellowship Christian) that were averaging 81 points/game combined to just 49 total points the past two weeks."
CALEB HUTCHINS: "Union County is absolutely good enough to win this game, but so is ELCA. This feels like a true toss-up to me, and turnovers could end up being the difference-maker. In the preseason, Union County head coach Michael Perry said the running game would be the key to the Panthers success this season. I think it will be a big key in this matchup as well to keep the ELCA defense from pinning their ears back and pass-rushing Caiden Tanner. If Union County protects the ball and establishes the run, they can get (another) playoff win."
WALKER McCRARY: "It will be a shootout. I think the Panthers can get the win. But the early kickoff on Saturday added to the fact that the gut-wrenching loss last week to Fellowship Christian in the region championship game has to be taken into consideration. The key is, which defense will get a stop? Both of these offenses have put up points throughout the year and aren't afraid to get into a shootout. The defense that gets the early stops or forces a turnover could give their team the advantage needed to advance."
BO WILSON: "ELCA's past playoff successes have nothing to do with this matchup. The Panthers have proven they can play with the state's best private schools and took Fellowship Christian down to the wire last week. However, I think you do have to take into consideration the Chargers' strength of schedule in this one. ELCA has played one of the toughest schedules in the state, losing to four top-10 teams across three different classifications, making them battle-tested. But the biggest key in the game is it's in Blairsville, and let's not forget, the Panthers are led by Class 2A's passing leader, Caiden Tanner. While it's true the offense feeds off Tanner, the Panthers have a solid rushing attack behind Braylen Rader, which might turn out to be the biggest key to a win for them. The Panthers had two opportunities to take control in the second half against Fellowship; they'll have to seize control when it's presented this week. Defensively, slow the rushing attack and eliminate the big-play attempts. So, yeah, the Panthers can win this one."
COACH MICHAEL PERRY'S THOUGHTS ON THE MATCHUP: "We will have to win the lines of scrimmage and limit the explosive plays against their offense. Also, winning the kicking game will be important."
