The playoffs are officially here! And since we only had one team play this past week, we thought let's do things a little differently with the 5 Things this week.
Here are five potential playoff matchups we hope happen in the rounds up to the quarterfinals:
HONORABLE MENTIONS
So we could only pick five to dive into, hence 5 Things. But there were two matchups that were just on the outside looking in when we did the voting. In Class 2A, we could get Union County vs. East Jackson in the second round if both the Eagles and Panthers pull off opening round upsets. That would be fun to watch. Another interesting one would come in Class 5A if Jackson County and Gainesville each made it to the quarterfinals, where they would face each other.
1. JEFFERSON VS. OCONEE COUNTY - CLASS 3A 2nd ROUND
This one seems like it's bound to happen in the second round. Jefferson claimed the top seed in Class 3A after winning a three-way tiebreak in Region 8-3A. The only reason they needed a tiebreak...a loss to Oconee County in the regular season finale. Oh, and it was in overtime. And the Warriors tied it with under a minute left to force overtime. Not to mention Oconee County might be playing the best football right now out of the region, despite being the No. 3 team out of the group. We will pull the popcorn out for this near second round certainty.
2. ELBERT COUNTY VS. COMMERCE - CLASS A D-1 QUARTERFINALS
The Tigers are playing great ball right now and that triple option with Jaiden Daniels, Tysean Wiggins and Jacari Huff is going to be very tough to stop for anyone in the bracket. The only thing hurting Commerce is their No. 11 seed, forcing them to likely have to travel in the second round. But, if they can make the quarterfinals, and the Blue Devils make a run themselves, we get a rematch of a shootout from back in September. That game was a win for Commerce, but it was only the second game Jaiden Daniels was at quarterback. He has vastly improved, while Elbert's defense will be likely the best prepared out of the potential first three matchups against the Tigers. It would be a fun one in Commerce if it happens.
3. NORTH HALL VS. LUMPKIN COUNTY - CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS
The top two teams in Region 6-3A are in the same quadrant, and when they played in the regular season, it was a thriller from start to finish. The Trojans get the home field advantage this time around, while the Indians would be in their second straight quarterfinal if the two teams make it to Thanksgiving weekend. Would the Trojans be able to beat Lumpkin for a second time, or would the Indians get revenge at The Brickyard, the last place Lumpkin County beat North Hall way back in 2010?
4. BUFORD VS. NORTH GWINNETT - CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS
Do we need to say much about this one? Well, in case you didn't know, Buford has been dominant all year with their only loss coming in week 1 to Milton, only giving up 13 points to the Eagles. North Gwinnett hasn't lost this season, scoring 27 or more points in nine of their 10 games. Also, this used to be a big rivalry with the teams playing every year from 1986-99, but they have not played since. What a way to renew a rivalry than with a trip to the semifinals on the line.
5. CHEROKEE BLUFF VS. JEFFERSON OR OCONEE COUNTY - CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS
So since all four Region 8-3A teams are in the same quadrant, the likelihood of us getting a rematch in the quarterfinals is, well let's say it's a safe bet. Either one of these two matchups would be a blast for different reasons. If the Bears make the quarterfinals and face Jefferson, it's a chance for revenge after the Dragons did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted in their regular season matchup. If it's the Warriors, it's a chance to prove that their 17-10 thriller on a Thursday night wasn't a fluke. These three juggernauts likely were all in the top 10 of the final PSR (the site is still down, so we can't confirm), so regardless of who is here, this one would be a dandy.
