It’s been a slow build for Habersham Central baseball. Last year the Raiders advanced to the second round of the Georgia High School Association playoffs for just the second time ever and the first since 2006.
This season, Habersham Central made it three, also marking the first time for back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. But more history could be in store.
The Raiders fell in the second round last season. But they have a slightly better advantage this time around as they travel to South Paulding, whom they knocked off in 2024 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
In fact, this will be the third meeting between the two programs since 2019. All three matchups have taken place in Douglasville, with the Spartans winning in 2019 and the Raiders last year.
Is that an advantage either way? Habersham Central coach Chris Akrdige hopes the memories of last year’s road win will help.
“This is the third time we've matched up with these guys in the playoffs so we are very familiar with going to their place,” Akridge said. “I do think it helps to know that we have been able to go on the road and have success in the past.”
Region 5-5A champion South Paulding (26-5) is ranked sixth in Class 5A and swept a good Glynn Academy team in the opening round. The Raiders (20-12) rallied from a game down to beat Lee County 2-1 on the road last week.
But since Habersham Central knocked off the Spartans in three games in that series last year in Douglasville, look for South Paulding to be playing for a measure of revenge. However, familiarity only goes so far as team rosters change from year-to-year.
“Each team is different in various ways,” Akridge said. “They have more playoff experience coming back on the mound. We are a little younger in some areas than we were last year. But we do have a lot of guys who were on the roster and played last year, so they know what it's like to play down there in that environment.”
A series win would give the Raiders their first-ever Elite 8 appearance.
“This is just the third-ever Sweet 16 appearance for the program and first time ever to go back-to-back. It would be extremely rewarding and special for sure,” Akridge said. “There are a lot of Raiders over the years who poured all that they had into our program who would have loved to have been in this position.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/4/1290787/baseball-playoffs-familiar-rematch-has-hab-central-looking-to-make-history