The state playoff brackets are finally and completely filled out, setting up plenty of intriguing match-ups for northeast Georgia's football programs -- including a few contests that will break from the tradition of Friday night play.
Rabun County and Union County will both begin their postseason marches on Saturday, while West Hall will commence on Thursday night.
(NOTE: Scroll down for a complete list of area teams' playoff match-ups.)
The top-seeded and fifth-ranked Wildcats will play host to BEST Academy at 7:30 p.m. in the Class AA bracket. Rabun was obliged to move its contest due to BEST having to play mini-games on Monday in Atlanta in order to determine the No. 4 seed from Region 6-AA.
Meanwhile, the Panthers (the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAA) will travel to take on Cedar Grove (Region 6, No. 2 seed) at 5 p.m. at Buck Godfrey Stadium due to the stadium share involving teams that play in Dekalb County.
The stadium share set-up is also forcing another area team to play a day early, as the Spartans (No. 3 seed Region 7-AAAA) will travel to face Troup at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the Class AAAA bracket. The Tigers (No. 2 seed, Region 5) share Callaway Stadium with Callaway High and LaGrange College. As a No. 1 seed, Callaway got the rights to play on Friday, while LaGrange has a home game on Saturday, leaving Thursday as the only option.
CLASS A BRACKETS SET: Also on Monday evening, Commerce learned that it will get a bye in the first round of the Class A Public bracket after earning the No. 7 seed.
The Tigers will take on the winner of the Trion at Taylor County first round contest. The current Class A playoff setup -- split into public and private brackets -- includes 24 teams qualifying for the first round. The top eight seeds, as determined by a power ratings index system, each receive first round byes and the right to host a second round contest.
Commerce -- which last hosted a state playoff game during the 2014 Class A Public quarterfinals -- has reached the semifinal round in back-to-back seasons.
Lakeview, which came close, did not qualify for a top 24 seed in the Class A Private bracket. The Lions finished 25th in the power ratings index, just below Brookstone. Towns County also finished 38th in the Class A Public ratings.
FIRST ROUND STATE PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS FOR AREA TEAMS
(Area teams listed first; All games scheduled for Friday unless otherwise noted)
CLASS AAAAAAA
Mill Creek (Region 6, No. 1 seed) vs. Newton (Region 8, No. 4)
North Gwinnett (Region 6, No. 3) at South Gwinnett (Region 8, No. 2)
CLASS AAAAAA
Lanier (Region 8, No. 2) vs. Allatoona (Region 6, No. 3)
Gainesville (Region 8, No. 3) at Harrison (Region 6, No. 2) -- Radio: 1240 AM ESPN
Winder-Barrow (Region 8, No. 4) at Dalton (Region 6, No. 1)
CLASS AAAAA
Buford (Region 8, No. 1) vs. North Springs (Region 6, No. 4)
CLASS AAAA
Jefferson (Region 8, No. 1) vs. Pickens (Region 6, No. 4)
Stephens County (Region 8, No. 2) vs. Heritage, Catoosa (Region 6 No. 3)
West Hall (Region 7, No. 3) at Troup County (Region 5, No. 2) -- THURSDAY
Chestatee (Region 7, No. 4) at Cartersville (Region 5, No. 1) -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
CLASS AAA
Dawson County (Region 7, No. 2) vs. Lovett (Region 5, No. 3)
Union County (Region 7, No. 3) at Cedar Grove (Region 5, No. 2) -- SATURDAY
North Hall (Region 7, No. 4) at Westminster (Region 5, No. 1) -- Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
CLASS AA
Rabun County (Region 8, No. 1) vs. BEST Academy (Region 6, No. 4) -- SATURDAY
Banks County (Region 8, No. 2) vs. KIPP (Region 6, No. 3)
CLASS A*
Commerce bye
*Class A Power Ratings gave Tigers the No. 7 seed, meaning they got a bye through first round. Will host Trion at Taylor County winner in second round. Lakeview finished with 25th seed to miss playoffs.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/467206/playoff-notes-three-area-teams-will-play-at-unusual-times-commerce-in-lakeview-out