Three area teams will kick off today in the first round of the Georgia High School Association playoffs.
In Class 2A, Union County will host Eagle's Landing Christian. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
In Class 4A, East Forsyth travels to Luella for a 4 p.m. kickoff, and in the nightcap, North Hall will visit Stockbridge for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF PREP FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD, FRIDAY, Nov. 11
Bremen 40, White County 17
Buford 50, Wheeler 0
Commerce 58, Jasper County 19
Creekside 63, Flowery Branch 6
Douglas County 63, Habersham Central 9
Gainesville 46, South Paulding 27
Hughes 41, North Forsyth 7
Jefferson 48, Jackson, Atl. 14
Lumpkin County 52, Gordon Lee 6
Rabun County 49, Social Circle 14
Southland Academy 35, Lakeview Academy 14
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Nov. 11
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
1st ROUND PLAYOFFS
CLASS 4A
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.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two teams. The Lions are the No. 2 seed despite being outscored 263-191 for the season. They feasted on the bottom feeders in 5-4A, who were 17-33 overall. Statistically, the Broncos look to have a huge advantage despite being on the road. They are 21st in defense (20.3 ppg) in a good defensive classification. The Lions are 41st in offense, averaging just 18.9 ppg. East Forsyth is 3-2 on the road in 2023. The Lions are just 3-2 at home this season.
What to watch for: The East Forsyth offense vs. the Lions defense. The Broncos are 13th in offense (34.0 ppg), and the Lions are just 38th on defense (26.3 ppg). Last week, against a similar North Hall defense, East Forsyth piled up 535 total yards (354 rushing, 181 passing). In Luella's 5 losses, they have given up 36.6 ppg.
NORTH HALL at STOCKBRIDGE
Records: Trojans (7-3, No. 4 seed Region 8-4A); Tigers (8-2, No. 1 seed Region 5-4A)
Last week: North Hall lost 42-39 to East Forsyth; Stockbridge beat McDonough, 63-21
Where: Tiger Stadium, Stockbridge
Time: 6:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two teams. This will be the Trojans' biggest challenge since the Madison County game. Stockbridge is 7th in 4A in defense, yielding just 13.8 ppg. They have 125 TFL, including 45 sacks, with 59 QB hurries as well on the season. The Trojans will need their offense, averaging 32.5 ppg, to find some rhythm to keep the Tigers offense off the field. Sr. QB Tanner Marsh (1,528 yards, 17 TD, 8 INT) is 6th in 4A in passing. Sr. WR Ryals Puryear (631 yards, 7 TD) is tied for 8th in receiving.
What to watch for: The Stockbridge offense vs. the Trojans defense. The Tigers are primarily a running team, with over 3,000 yards (300 yards/game) on the ground. Stockbridge is 2nd in 4A, averaging 46.1 ppg. The Tigers put up 408 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs last week. Jayden Scott leads the way with 1,335 yards, which is 2nd 4A, and his 25 TDs are the most in the classification. North Hall is 31st in defense (23.5 ppg) and gave up 354 yards rushing last week to East Forsyth.
CLASS 2A
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.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two teams. ELCA has won 6 state titles since 2012. The Panthers have just 2 playoff wins in their history. But the Chargers just completed their worst season and first losing campaign since 2003. The Union defense, despite missing several key starters for a third of the season, is giving up just 21.2 ppg. The Chargers are averaging 21.2 ppg on offense.
What to watch for: The Union offense vs. the ELCA defense. The Panthers had their 4th-best offensive regular season in program history, scoring 378 points (37.8 ppg), which is 9th in Class 2A. Sr. QB Caiden Tanner leads 2A in passing with 2,260 yards and is 2nd in TD passes with 24. He has thrown 6 interceptions. Panthers WR Jensen Goble has 774 yards and 7 TDs receiving on 54 catches despite missing two-plus games. The 349 points (34.9 ppg) allowed by the Chargers, which is 50th out of 56 teams in 2A, are the most in a season since 2003 and their 3rd-most all-time.
