Jeff Hart

Union County remained in fourth place in Region 7-2A with a 35-20 win over Coahulla Creek on Friday night on the road.

It really is the Sweet 16 for northeast Georgia area volleyball teams.

North Hall took a giant step toward its first region title since 2012 on Friday, holding off Lumpkin County 21-16 at The Burial Grounds.

There is still work to do but Dawson County took a big step toward securing a Class 3A state playoff berth with a 22-20 Region 6-3A win over Chestatee on Friday.

Five northeast Georgia area teams are in the top 10 in offense and four are in the top 10 in defense in their respective classifications heading into Friday night's action around the state.

Georgia High School Association softball playoff action for northeast Georgia area teams will resume on Friday with first round action for Classes 5A, 3A, and Class A Division 1.

Most coaches and players say all they want is to be in the playoff conversation at the end of the season. If that’s the case, once again expect a noisy weekend.

The road to the Region 8-3 title has always figured to go through Jefferson. On Thursday, Cherokee Bluff put itself in position to take the first swing at the Dragons.

Fifth-ranked Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC), whose only three losses over the past four seasons have all been to Alabama, plays in Austin for the first time since 1958 on Saturday night.

Sid Maxwell and Dawson County are used to being in the playoffs. His first eight Tigers teams all advanced to the postseason. Chestatee, on the other hand.