PLAYOFFS WEEK 1: Contenders, pretenders ready to show themselves as chase for titles begins

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

Posted 6:47PM on Friday 14th November 2014 ( 10 years ago )

Are you ready for the REAL season to begin? The appetizers are done, the dinner bell has rung, and now its time to settle down for the main course as the state football playoffs begin Friday night. Fifteen area schools qualified for the playoffs in their respective classifications with several having legitimate shots at making it all the way to the Georgia Dome. Regardless of where they finished during the regular season, everyone is 0-0 starting now. However, some teams are a stronger 0-0 than others, and none may be as hot and dangerous right now as Mill Creek, which won four straight down the stretch, all in blowout fashion. Unfortunately, the Hawks, the No. 2 from Region 7-AAAAAA, will have to play No. 2-ranked Grayson, the No. 3 seed from Region 8-AAAAAA, in the opening round in a Class AAAAAA matchup more suited for the semifinals or finals. But, such is life when tiebreakers and coin flips come into play. Region 7-AAA, fresh off an exciting finish to the regular season where six teams all had a shot at the playoffs going into the season finales, will find out quickly if it has what it takes to compete at the state level when it takes on Region 8-AAA in the first round. Three teams from 8-AAA -- Jefferson, Hart County, and Elbert County -- were considered contenders for the state title coming into the season and nothing has changed. Oh, and the fourth seed from 8-AAA, Oconee County, is perhaps the most improved team in all of Class AAA. Good luck 7-AAA. In Class AA, Rabun County and Union County will open the playoffs at home. The Panthers have an interesting matchup with Model in Blairsville. Union County is second in Class AA in offense at 41.7 ppg while the Blue Devils are third in defense yielding just 9.2 ppg. Something will have to give there. Lanier in Class AAAAA will open the playoffs as first time region champs against Sequoyah, which won four straight to end the season to get into the playoffs. The Longhorns have been slow starters all year but better not wait too long. The Chiefs averaged 40 ppg during their win streak. It should be an exciting opening round in all a classifications. We'll see which contenders are left standing and which underdogs showed they are ready to stand up and be noticed. For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with Access North Georgia and our <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/s15-football-central.php">Friday Game Night</a> page throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/">@FridayGameNight</a> FIRST ROUND STATE PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS FOR Nov. 14 CLASS AAAAAA CLASS AAAAAA NOTES Only one team in AAAAAA made it through the regular season unscathed and that was No. 1-ranked Colquitt County, including a season-opening win over Mill Creek in the Corky Kell Classic. ... Speaking of the Hawks, they may be one of the most dangerous teams in AAAAAA. They have won 5 straight, including wins over playoff-bound Norcross and Peachtree Ridge. In their game with Colquitt, it was a one-score game until late in the third quarter. ... Six teams come into the playoffs riding 7-game win streaks or better. ... Archer, the 8-AAAAAA champ, is among that group and will take on defending state champ Norcross . Infact, the 7-AAAAAA and 8-AAAAAA matchups are all compelling as all eight teams have 6-4 records or better. ... Westlake, Grayson, and Alpharetta come in as the top defensive teams each allowing less than 9 ppg on the season. Tucker, Colquitt, North Gwinnett, and Mill Creek all come in averaging over 41 ppg. ... Region 7-AAAAAA has three of the top 11 offensive units in AAAAAA. It should an offensive playoffs in AAAAAA with 14 of the top 15 offensive teams advancing to the playoffs. Only South Cobb did not advance in that group. ... Some interesting matchups down the road could pit Colquitt against either Peachtree Ridge-Dacula winner in the second round. Mill Creek has a gauntlet road. If the Hawks get past Grayson then Tucker most likely awaits in the 2nd round and then perhaps either McEachern or Alpharetta in the quarterfinals. If they get through that, then a possible rematch with No. 1 Colquitt in the semifinals awaits. CENTRAL GWINNETT at NORTH GWINNETT -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium, Suwanee -- CENTRAL GWINNETT (6-4): No. 4 seed from Region 8-AAAAAA. -- NORTH GWINNETT (8-2): No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA. -- NOTABLE: Central Gwinnett leads series 11-3. It is the first meeting between the two schools since 1999, a 47-14 North Gwinnett win in Suwanee. ... The Bulldogs have all the playoff experience and quarterback John Urzua, who has had a spectacular year. The senior has 3,027 yards and 34 TDs with 5 INT on the seaosn, most of that going to Jr. WR Josh Imaterbhebhe (59-1,072, 15 TDs), Jr. RB Kameron Pickett (92-544, 10 TDs rushing) leads the team in rushing. ... It's the first playoff appearance for the Black Knights since 2006. They have not won a playoff game since 2005. ... The Black Knights also play an up-tempo spread offense. They are 6-0 when scoring 21 or more points but have scored just 33 total points in their four losses. They lost to Collins Hill in their opener in the only other game against a 7-AAAAAA team this season. ... Central's defense is led by Adonis Thomas, who just de-committed from Florida and is being recruited by most major FBS programs. ... North Giwnnett coach Bob Sphire said he expects a hungry Black Knights team that will be looking for the upset. "The fact they haven't been there scares me because their fans will be fired up and they probably feel they have nothing to lose. Those always dangerous games," he said. ... The Bulldogs have not lost in the first round in the Bob Sphire era (8-0). ... Winner plays the Valdosta-Newton winner in second round. GRAYSON at MILL CREEK -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton -- GRAYSON (9-1): No. 3 seed from Region 8-AAAAAA. -- MILL CREEK (7-3): No. 2 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools ... Perhaps the best matchup in the state in any classification in the first round. This should be a quarterfinals or later battle but the Rams lost the coin flip after a three-way tie for first in 8-AAAAAA. ... It will be a test of wills as Grayson has allowed just 81 total points with three shutouts on defense. Mill Creek is averaging 41.6 ppg on offense behind Mill Creek dual-threat quarterback Daniel David and RBs Johnathan Hawkins and Brian Efianayi, who spearhead an offense averaging 309 yards rushing per game. ... But, it's been the Hawks defense which has led the way in their five-game win streak allowing just 28 total points (5.6 ppg), including a shutout of defending state champion Norcross. ... The Hawks, however, are 0-3 against ranked teams on the season. ... Winner will get the Alpharetta-Cherokee winner in the second round. CLASS AAAAA CLASS AAAAA NOTES Drew, the No. 2 seed out of Region 4, comes in as the highest scoring team in the classification scoring 43.6 ppg, just ahead of Houston County, which is averaging 43.2 ppg on the season. ... Ware County, the top-ranked team in AAAAA and the No. 1 seed from Region 3, has allowed the fewest points (93) in the classification. The Gators have allowed a touchdown or less in seven games with two shutouts. ... Nine of the top 10 scoring teams in AAAAA made the playoffs (only Cambridge did not) with three in the quadrant with Gainesville. The Elephants (35.8 ppg) are 12th in scoring in AAAAA making four of the top 12 scoring teams in one quadrant. ... The top eight defensive teams in AAAAA advanced. Gainesville (14.7 ppg) is sixth. Lanier (17.2 ppg) is 16th in defense. SEQUOYAH at LANIER -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Ranch, Sugar Hill -- SEQUOYAH (5-5): No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAAA. -- LANIER (10-0): No. 1 seed from Region 8-AAAAA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Longhorns come in as one of just four unbeaten teams in Class AAAAA. ... Sequoyah's record is deceiving. The Chiefs won 4 of 5 down the stretch to get into the playoffs, including three straight must-win games to finish the year. They are averaging 40.0 ppg in the win streak after scoring just 135 points (19.2 ppg) over their first seven games. ... The Lanier defense has been stellar all season. Despite allowing 172 points (17.2 ppg) they are stingy in the second half. They have allowed just 21 points after halftime in five key wins this season. Jr. DE Derrick Brown has led the way but the secondary is one of the best in the area. ... The 55 points scored last week by Lanier was a new school record. The Longhorns offense has come on strong of late averaging 41.7 ppg over their final four games compared to just 27.3 ppg in their first six games behind QB Tahj Tolbert and RB Tario Fuller. Tall 6-foot-5 Sr. WR Timothy Leazer is a matchup problem for any secondary. ... The winner plays the Houston County-LaGrange winner in the second round. CREEKVIEW at GAINESVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville -- RADIO: 1240 AM -- CREEKVIEW (6-4): No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAAAA. -- GAINESVILLE (8-2): No. seed from Region 8-AAAAA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools ... For the talk of the Red Elephants offense, it has been the defense which has opened some eyes allowing just 14 total points over the final two games. ... Creekview has allowed more points (309) than it has scored (268) but the Grizzlies won four straight to finish the season to get into the playoffs outscoring the opposition 134-73. However, they are still looking for their first-ever playoff win. They are 0-5 all-time in the playoffs. ... QB Kyle Wilkie has racked up 2,071 yards passing and 16 touchdowns, while running back B.J. Smith has rushed for 813 yards and 10 TDs for the Grizzlies. ... Gainesville has advanced to the second round or better for six straight seasons. The Elephants have not lost in the first round since falling to Westminster in 2007. ... Gainesville QB Mikey Gonzalez has been on a roll of late and RB Michael Byrd had his third straight 100-yard game last week. ... The winner will play the Harris County-Warner Robins winner in the second round. WINDER-BARROW at KELL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: CJ Kell Stadium, Marietta -- WINDER-BARROW (6-4): No. 4 seed from Region 8-AAAAA. -- KELL (10-0): No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAAAA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Winder-Barrow has been one of the positive surprises of the season posting its first winning season since 2003, which was also the last time the Buldoggs made the playoffs. They also are looking for their first playoff win since beating Clarkston in the quarterfinals of the Class AAA playoffs in 1993. ... The Bulldoggs will have to make it a shootout to have a chance. They are 1-4 when scoring 24 points or less. And, they may be without leading rusher Cece Green, who suffered a broken thumb in last week's win over Heritage, Conyers to get into the playoffs. Green, who has 1,625 yards and 17 TDs on the season, may be a gametime decision. His status is unknown as of publication. The Longhorns, however, have held opponents to 14 points or less seven times this season. ... The winner will play the Jones County-Carver, Columbus winner in the second round. CLASS AAAA CLASS AAAA NOTES Buford and Griffin come in as the only unbeaten teams in Class AAAA and would meet each other in the quarterfinals in both advance that far. The Wolves have been amazing all season. They lead the classification in both scoring (46.1 ppg) and in defense (5.2 ppg) in their first season in AAAA. ... The Wolves quadrant is loaded with powerhouse teams and they will be tested. Marist and Griffin are both in their quadrant and all three are in the top six in both offensive and defensive stats. Five of the top 10 defensive units and three of the top 10 offensive units are in the Wolves' quadrant. SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD at BUFORD -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford -- SOUTHWEST WHITFIELD (6-4): No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAA. -- BUFORD (10-0): No. 1 seed from Region 8-AAAA. The Wolves were ranked No. 1 the entire regular season. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Buford is working on a 35-game win streak and a 10-game playoff win streak. Don't look for that to end this week. ... The Wolves lead Class AAAA in both scoring and defense and the Raiders are allowing 28 ppg on defense. ... It's a historic game for Southeast Whitfield, which is making its first-ever state playoff appearance. It was the first winning season for the Raiders since 1986 and just their fifth since opening in 1975. ... By comparison, Buford has had 16 straight winning seasons going back to 1999. ... The winner will play the Westover-Mary Persons winner in the second round. STEPHENS COUNTY at PICKENS -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Pickens Stadium, Jasper -- STEPHENS COUNTY (7-3): No. 3 seed from Region 8-AAAA. -- PICKENS (8-2): No. 2 seed from 7-AAAA. -- NOTABLE: The two teams have met just once, a 48-15 Stephens County win in the first round of the Class AAA 2000 playoffs. ... Both teams are coming off their worst losses of the season. However, expect a shootout if both offenses get on track... Despite being on the road and coming off a 56-0 loss to Buford, Stephens County should be encouraged by the matchup. The Indians, coached by Frank Barden, who came to Stephens County from Cartersville, run a similar spread offense to the Purple Hurricanes, which whipped Pickens 27-2 last week, and are averaging 31.5 ppg on offense. Pickens is fourth in scoring in AAAA at 39.0 ppg behind a punishing ground game and the state's leading rusher, Shannon Brooks. ... The Dragons are making their first playoff appearance since 2004 and are still looking for their first-ever playoff win in their 57-year history. ... The Indians are making their fifth straight playoff appearance but are just 1-4 in the playoffs in that span. WHITE COUNTY at CARTERSVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Weinman Stadium, Cartersville -- RADIO: www.wrwh.com -- WHITE COUNTY (6-4): No. 4 seed from Region 8-AAAA. -- CARTERSVILLE (9-1): No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAAA. -- NOTABLE: Cartersville leads the series 7-1 but the two have not met since 1999, a 41-6 Cartersville win. They have never met in the playoffs. The Warriors only win came in 1974, 6-0, in their first-ever meeting. ... The Cartersville defense may be the toughest in AAAA coming down the stretch allowing just 17 total points over its last six games (2.8 ppg) with two shutouts. The Hurricanes have not allowed a touchdown in their last 16 quarters. ... White County's run ground, which averages more than 300 yards a contest, will be put to the test. Cartersville held Pickens and the state's leading rusher without a touchdown last week. The Warriors have not been shutout all season, including a 42-10 loss to Buford that saw them rush for nearly 200 yards against the vaunted Wolves defense, which leads the state. ... White County will have to slow down the Hurricanes offense, which is averaging 41 ppg. The Warriors are yielding just under 28 ppg on the season. ... The winner will play the Baldwin-Worth County winner in the second round. CLASS AAA CLASS AAA NOTES Some amazing stats for Class AAA. Jefferson is averaging 41.9 ppg but is just FOURTH in scoring in the classification. Washington County is averaging a statewide-best and ridiculous 52.3 ppg on the season. Calhoun at 44.3 and Adairsville at 43.9 are just ahead of the Dragons. Adairsville and Jefferson are in the same quadrant and could meet in the quarterfinals in Jefferson. They may need to put some new bulbs in the scoreboard before that one. Washington County is also on the same half of the bracket as the Dragons. As efficient as West Hall has been on offense, the Spartans at 31.8 ppg are tied for 17th in AAA. ... However, can anyone guess who the No. 1 defensive team in AAA is? Anybody say the Spartans? West Hall has yielded a classification-low 72 points on the season just ahead of Peach County, which has given up 73 points. Jefferson is fourth at 91 total points. ... The Dragons may have the toughest road of the area teams in AAA with three other teams with just one loss or undefeated in their quadrant. ... It could be the toughest classification overall with just four teams with losing records advancing to the 32-team field, two coming out of Region 5. FRANKLIN COUNTY at JEFFERSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson -- FRANKLIN COUNTY (4-6): No. 4 team from Region 7-AAA. -- JEFFERSON (10-0): No. 1 seed from Region 8-AAA. -- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads the series 8-6 but the two teams have not met since 1997, a 34-14 Franklin County win. The two teams have never met in the playoffs. The Dragons last win in the series came in 1982, a 27-7 victory in Carnesville. ... On paper it looks like a mismatch with the Dragons averaging 41.9 ppg and the Lions yielding 24.2 ppg. Franklin County is averaging just 15 ppg while Jefferson is giving up just 9.1 ppg on the season. ... The Lions, however, faced a must-win and needed to win by seven or more points last week to get into the playoffs and they responded with a 21-14 win over Fannin County. ... The Dragons cannot afford a letdown after last week's battle for the region title against Hart County. Several Dragons came away nicked in the hard-hitting game, including leading receiver Dalton Hill. ... Dragons' QB Evan Shirreffs is coming off a National Bank of Georgia Player of the Week performance with 2 TD passes, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter. ... The winner will play the Dodge County-Westside, Macon winner in the second round. EAST HALL at HART COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- EAST HALL (6-4): No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAA. -- HART COUNTY (9-1): No. 2 seed from region 8-AAA. -- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 7-1 but the two teams have not met since 1999, a 33-22 Hart County win. They have never met in the playoffs. East Hall's only victory in the series came in 1971, 7-6 in Rabbittown. ... East Hall is making its first playoff appearance since 2005 and the first under coach Bryan Gray. ... The Bulldogs are in the top 10 in AAA in both offense and defense but if ever there was a feeling the Vikings could pull the upset, this could be it. Hart County is coming off an emotional and gut-wrenching 21-14 loss to Jefferson for the region title. The Bulldogs, who were denied a tying score on a goal-line stand in the final minute, could still be reeling and the Vikings offense has been clicking on all cylinders of late. ... East Hall went 4-0 down the stretch to get into the playoffs and QB Devin Watson and the offense were the catalyst. The Vikings averaged 37.2 ppg during their 4-game win streak. ... Hart County, however, is averaging 38 ppg while East Hall is yielding over 27 ppg on the season. The Bulldogs are giving up just 12.4 ppg on defense. ... The winner will play the Cook County-Central Macon winner in the second round. ELBERT COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega -- ELBERT COUNTY (7-3): No. 3 seed from Region 8-AAA. -- LUMPKIN COUNTY (5-5): No. 2 seed from Region 7-AAA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Despite the 5-5 record, it has been a tremendous season for the Indians. They posted more wins this season than in last two years combined and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. And three of their losses were by a touchdown or less. But, they did not get any favors drawing the Blue Devils in the first round. ... Elbert County was considered a favorite in 8-AAA before the season but lost dynamic starting QB Mecole Hardman early in the season. The Blue Devils went 1-3 without Hardman, including losses to Jefferson and Hart County, or they could have had a shot at a region title. They went 4-0 after Hardman's return outscoring the opposition 181-40 in that span. ... It will be a contrast of styles with the Indians ground game, which is averaging over 300 yards a contest, and Elbert's spread attack. hardman is one of the top dual threat QBs in the state. ... Lumpkin County also is looking for its first-ever playoff win. The Indians are 0-4 all-time losing first round games in consecutive seasons from 2000-03. ... Elbert is looking for its first playoff win since 2011. ... The winner will play the Peach County-Appling County winner in the second round. OCONEE COUNTY at WEST HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: West Hall Stadium, Oakwood -- RADIO: AM 550 -- OCONEE COUNTY (7-3): No. 1 seed from Region 8-AAA. -- WEST HALL (9-1): No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAA. -- NOTABLE: Oconee County leads series 6-0. The two teams last met in 2011, a 35-31 Warriors win in Watkinsville. ... It has been a season of firsts for the Spartans, winning their first-ever region title. The Spartans also tied a school-record with nine wins. ... But Oconee County offers perhaps the toughest No. 4 seed in the field. The Warriors made tremendous strides this season under first-year head coach Travis Noland with more wins than the past two seasons combined. They also are in the playoffs for the first time in six years but come in riding a three-game losing streak. ... The Spartans come in as the No. 1 defensive team in Class AAA yielding just 7.2 ppg on the season. Oconee is averaging 24.6 ppg on offense so something will have to give. ... West Hall will need the corner speed of Kwon Williams and Ty Statham to boost the offense, which is averaging over 31 ppg. ... West Hall has won six straight since falling to Class AAAA playoff-bound North Oconee in a game the Spartans led late in the second quarter. ... The winner will play the Pierce County-Jackson winner in the second round. CLASS AA CLASS AA NOTES Greater Atlanta Christian and Vidalia have dominated the polls most of the year and are the only two unbeaten teams left in AA. However, Union County is second in AA in scoring at 41.7 ppg, behind only Benedictine (46.7 ppg). The Panthers will need the firepower as 8 of the top 10 scoring teams in AA are on their half of the bracket. ... Vidalia is the only team in AA in the top five in both scoring and defense -- 2nd at 9.1 ppg behind GAC at 8.9 ppg -- and Washington-Wilkes is the only 8-AA team in the top 10 in defense at 15.3 ppg allowed. ... It should be a very tough field with just three teams with losing records advancing to the playoffs. In fact, half of the 32-team field has seven or more wins on the season. CHATOOGA at RABUN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger -- CHATTOOGA (4-6): No. 4 seed from Region 7-AA. -- RABUN COUNTY (8-2): No. 1 seed from Region 8-AA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in Class AA. They have the fourth longest win streak in the classification at 7 games behind only unbeatens Vidalia and GAC and Darlington (9). ... Rabun has been solid on both sides of the ball during the streak averaging 36 ppg while giving up just 13.8 ppg. ... It's the third straight trip to the playoffs for the Wildcats, who are looking for their first playoff win since advancing to the quarterfinals in 1998. The Indians equalled their win total for the two previous seasons but did not beat a team with a winning record. ... Rabun County is 13-3 at home under Lee Shaw. Chattooga, however, is a staggering 4-1 on the road this season.... The winner will play the Thomasville-Benedictine winner in the second round. MODEL at UNION COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Blairsville -- MODEL (8-2): No. 3 seed in Region 7-AA. -- UNION COUNTY (9-1): No. 2 seed in Region 8-AA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This may be the most intriguing matchup in the first round in AA. The Panthers are second in AA in scoring at 41.7 ppg while Model is third in AA in defense allowing just 9.2 ppg so something will have to give. ... The Blue Devils are making their third straight playoff appearance but are looking for their first playoff win since winning the Class AA state title in 1979. Union County is looking for its first-ever playoff win and a victory would also give them the most wins in a season in school history. The Panthers also won nine games 1974, 1983, and in 2001. ... The winner will play the Bryan County-Fitzgerald winner in the second round.

Union County and Lumpkin County battle earlier in the season. Both the Panthers and Indians face first round playoff games on Friday. / photo: Todd Forrest

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