Coming into the season, it was no secret to anyone.
The race for the four playoff spots on the boys side of Region 8-4A was going to be intense, brutal, and practically up for grabs. It has not disappointed. And it’s nowhere near over, either.
Coming into Friday’s action, four teams were ranked in the top 10 in the latest scorbord.com poll. Defending region and state champion Johnson sits atop the Class 4A poll, with Cedar Shoals (third), East Hall (fifth), and Chestatee (ninth) having been ranked most of the season.
Johnson leads the current standings, with Cedar Shoals in second, Seckinger in third, and East Forsyth in fourth. Despite the rankings, East Hall and Chestatee would be on the outside looking in if the playoffs were to start today.
Chestatee coach Mike Herrin says nothing is over until the final match. He has also been involved in some crazy region finishes in the past.
“There’s still a lot of soccer to play, and the region is anyone’s to claim,” Herrin said. “If we can win out, we could either take the 2, 3, or 4 spot. But a lot depends on how Cedar and Johnson finish out.
“This is probably the most competitive region we’ve been in since 2007. That year saw West Hall lose to (Flowery) Branch in the last week and went from first to fifth, with a four-way tie between us, Johnson, North Hall, and Lumpkin County. (This could be) exciting stuff, for sure.”
The Knights (6-1-1, 5-0 Region 8-4A) are the only unbeaten team left and have beaten Chestatee and Seckinger (the Jaguars' only region loss to this point). But they still have East Forsyth, Cedar Shoals, Cherokee Bluff, Walnut Grove, and East Hall left, the final three on the road.
“Region 8-4A is one of the best regions in the state. All one has to do is look at the standings each week and realize how competitive it is,” Johnson coach Frank Zamora said. “Every game is a battle as teams are talented and well coached. In this region, anything can happen on any given night. That’s why it’s important to always come ready to play, or you can find yourself in a difficult situation.”
And the Knights will have plenty to say about who makes it into the postseason in 8-4A. Johnson has won 58 straight region matches spanning two different classifications, going back to a 1-0 loss to Buford in 2015.
Cedar Shoals (7-2-1, 6-2 Region 8-4A) already has Seckinger and Johnson on the road left and has key losses to Cherokee Bluff and East Forsyth. Seckinger (5-3-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A) is the wildcard with six region games still left, including Cedar Shoals, East Forsyth, Walnut Grove, East Hall, and Chestatee.
The Broncos (7-3, 5-2 Region 8-4A) have won four straight, including wins over Cedar Shoals, Bluff, and Chestatee. However, they travel to Johnson on Friday before closing out their region schedule next week against Seckinger and Madison County at home.
East Forsyth coach Chere Thomas, whose group is 4-0 at home this season, said they are ready for the final push.
"We have to continue to rely on good teamwork and communication to get through the last three games to put ourselves in the best possible position to make the state playoffs," Thomas said. "I believe in my (team), and they can accomplish anything they put their mind to."
Coach Heath Padgett’s Bears (6-4-1, 3-2 Region 8-4A) have had trouble on the road, going just 1-2-1 away from Yonah Field. They have three road games remaining and will face four of the seven teams fighting for playoff spots.
A huge game tonight at Walnut Grove, followed by a trip to Chestatee next week, could decide their ultimate fate or propel them toward a playoff spot. However, they come in riding a three-match win streak.
“I think the maturity of our group is showing at the right time,” Padgett said. “We completely understand the gauntlet we are about to face. The next three on the road will not come easy, however. The two we have at home are no different.
“Every game matters at this point in the season. This is why we play the game, and this is what makes it fun!”
On Tuesday, Chestatee’s 3-0 win over East Hall (8-3, 3-3 Region 8-4A) dealt the Vikings’ playoff prospects a serious blow. East Hall, an Elite 8 team last year and a Final Four team in 2022, sits eighth with games against Bluff, Johnson, and Seckinger still looming.
