With the conclusion of Week 12’s games, GHSA was quick to fill in the corresponding brackets for each classification. Of our 11 local programs, only 3 were held out of the postseason – Habersham, Lumpkin County, and Towns County.

#1 RABUN COUNTY vs #4 PACE ACADEMY

The Wildcats (9-1) were the region champions for an 8th straight season, and have the rare opportunity to take on one of their opponents for a second time in the same season. Pace Academy (6-4) came to Tiger once for the ESPN televised game for Week 2, and Rabun won 47-14.

#2 JEFFERSON vs #3 HAPEVILLE CHARTER

The Dragons (9-1) were shocked with a loss in Week 11 to North Oconee, handing them the #2 seed. Still, that means at least one week at home against Hapeville Charter (5-5), a rematch from last season’s playoff game in the second round.

#2 DAWSON COUNTY vs #3 SANDY CREEK

The Tigers totally made up for a rough start to the season and won 6 of their last 7 games to go 6-4 overall. They get a home playoff game against Sandy Creek (9-1). Sandy Creek is legit, and only finished 3rd with one loss due to tie-breaker results to determine region standings.

#3 UNION COUNTY @ #2 LOVETT

The Panthers (3-6) head to Lovett to take on a 7-3 juggernaut, which was ranked as high as #5 and ranked weekly until about midway through the season. Union is coming off a gritty 49-48 win in the regular season finale against Gilmer.

#4 STEPHENS COUNTY @ #1 ROCKMART

The Indians (7-3) lost just 3 games all season, all to Top-10 ranked teams within the region. Therefore, Stephens County will be forced on the road, but no doubt will be the best #4-seed in the state in 3A. Rockmart is 9-1 and the region champs, but even ranked at #9, this might be easier than most of Stephens County’s region opponents (speaks highly of the region 8-AAA).

#4 COMMERCE @ #1 BOWDON

The Tigers had a chance at a region title in the regular season finale, but oddly enough, a win meant #1, while a loss dropped them back to #4. Commerce (6-4) travels to #5-ranked Bowdon (9-1), the region champs from their area.

#4 WHITE COUNTY @ #1 CEDAR GROVE

The Warriors (4-6) fall to the #4 seed, and will travel to region champs and Class 4A #1-ranked Cedar Grove (7-3) for a tough ask.

#4 BANKS COUNTY @ #1 SOUTH ATLANTA

The Leopards (2-7) head to region champion South Atlanta (9-1) for a chance to advance to the next round and pull off a huge upset.

THE OTHERS

#1 Buford vs #4 Kell
#1 Cherokee Bluff vs #4 GAC
#1 Denmark vs #4 Mountain View
#3 Flowery Branch @ #2 Mays
#3 North Hall @ #2 Carver, Atlanta
#3 Hart County @ #2 Ringgold