Congrats to our local eight teams who advanced to the state playoffs, which begin Friday night! Here are the matchups:

CLASS 6A

#3 Habersham Central @ #2 Douglas County

The Raiders (6-4) are set for their first playoff game since 2011, and hope to win their first since Tavarres King’s time at Habersham in 2007. Douglas County is 8-2 overall.

CLASS 4A

#4 White County @ #1 Pickens

A rematch in the playoffs! White County (3-7) take on #7-ranked Pickens (10-0). These teams met back on September 7, where Pickens narrowly escaped with a 42-35 win…and in fact, that’s the most points Pickens allowed to anyone this season. Could be an upset…

CLASS 3A

#2 Dawson County vs #3 Haralson County

The #7-ranked Tigers look to make a fourth straight splash in the playoffs in the Sid Maxwell era. Dawson (9-1) takes on Haralson County (8-2).

#2 Jefferson vs #3 Westminster

The #8-ranked Dragons (8-2) take on Westminster (6-4) as Jefferson looks to continue an impressive streak of winning the first round at least in every year since 2012. Overall, Jefferson has been in the playoffs each year since 2011.

CLASS 2A

#1 Rabun County vs #4 Spencer

The #2-ranked Wildcats (9-1) are five-time region champs in a row, and take on a 3-7 Spencer team. Long bus ride for the Green Waves, and a quick game shall be had. Shaw’s Soldiers have a remarkable 9-6 mark in the playoffs since he arrived at Rabun in 2012.

#2 Union County vs #3 Bremen

Union will regroup for a tough home match against Bremen (how did Bremen become a #3-seed???). #3-ranked Bremen (8-2) plays in the same region as Hard County and Callaway, and is the only team that took down Rabun in the first game of the season on a neutral field so you can throw that out. Union needs this win and deserves it, as the Panthers have suffered some bad breaks in the playoffs (0-4 since 2013).

CLASS 1A

#5 Commerce vs TBA

GHSA’s Power Ratings will come into play here. We won’t know who Commerce plays until a bit later, and if they get the first round bye or not.

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THE REST

#1 Buford vs #4 Miller Grove

#3 Flowery Branch @ #2 Ridgeland

#3 North Hall @ #2 Lakeview, FO

#4 Gainesville @ #1 Creekside