Soccer: NEGa-area teams begin final playoff push

Another storm bringing rain and wind is expected to hit the northeast Georgia area on Tuesday.

If Tuesday's area soccer schedule wasn't challenging enough, several teams face almost must-win scenarios and will now have to battle the elements as well in their quest for a state playoff berth. In all, 18 schools, boys and girls, will be in action on Tuesday.

The most intriguing race down the stretch will undoubtedly be in Region 8-4A on the boys side.

When last we checked in on the boys side of Region 8-4A, seven teams were battling for what looked like three playoff spots while Johnson needed just one win to clinch its 10th straight region title. The Knights (9-1-1, 8-0 Region 8-4A) got their win in a controversial 1-0 victory over Cherokee Bluff to lock things up. East Forsyth (9-4, 7-3 Region 8-4A) and Cedar Shoals (9-3-1, 7-3 Region 8-4A) both have finished their region schedules and are locked in a tie for second. However, the Broncos hold the tiebreaker after taking a 3-1 win over the Jaguars earlier in the season.

But Cherokee Bluff (9-3, 5-3 Region 8-4A) leads both East Hall (9-5, 7-3 Region 8-4A) and Walnut Grove (9-5, 4-3 Region 8-4A) by just one-half game. The Warriors still have Johnson and Seckinger left. Chestatee (7-5-2, 5-4 Region 8-4A) is lurking back still with a shot but will need a lot of help. The War Eagles do not close out their region schedule until April 12 against Seckinher.

Once again the Jefferson boys will have a huge showdown for playoff positioning on Tuesday. The Dragons (7-5, 4-1 Region 8-5A) can clinch the No. 2 seed in Region 8-5A with a win over Heritage-Conyers (8-2, 3-1 Region 8-5A) at Memorial Stadium in Jefferson.

Region 7-3A also has several key matchups on the girls and boys side on Tuesday.

(See the entire schedule for Tuesday below.)