The Georgia High School Association soccer playoffs kicked off on Tuesday around the state, opening with the girls. It's the boys turn on Wednesday, with six northeast Georgia area boys getting started in the first round in Classes 5A, 3A, and both Class A Division 1 and 2.
But unlike the girls, who had a pair of top-ranked teams and nearly a half-dozen playing at home, only Jefferson in Class 5A and Dawson County in Class 3A will be playing host in the first round; none are region champions. Only Rabun County (10th) in Class A Division comes in ranked to open the playoffs. Towns County has a first round bye in Class A Division 2.
The Dragons (9-5-1) finished second in Region 8-5A and face a very difficult opener against a Chapel Hill team (11-4-1) that plays in a tough Region 5-5A. The Panthers, despite finishing third, were ranked most of the season and have won six straight coming into the playoffs.
Dawson County (9-7-1) was in and out of the rankings most of the season and played a very difficult schedule throughout. The Tigers come having gone 0-2-1 over the last three games, but all were against non-region, ranked teams, including Jefferson and Union County, which was ranked No. 1 in Class 2A for part of the season. The entertain Adairsville (6-6-2) out of Region 6-3A. Adairsville is riding a two-game win streak coming into the playoffs.
Also in Class 3A, West Hall could be a darkhorse in Class 3A . The Spartans (7-10) hit the road against No. 8 Bremen (10-4) but they played a very difficult schedule, including seven ranked teams and a pair of No. 1s at the time,
(Below is the full schedule of boys soccer playoff games on Wednesday for teams in the AccessWDUN coverage area.)
1st ROUND SOCCER PLAYOFFS, Wednesday, April 17
BOYS
CLASS 5A
Chapel Hill (R5, S3) at Jefferson (R8, S2), 6:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A
Adairsville (R6, S3) at Dawson County (R7, S2), 7 p.m.
Lumpkin County (R7, S4) at Coahulla Creek (R6, S1), 6 p.m.
West Hall (R7, S3) at Bremen (R6, S2), 6 p.m.
CLASS A DIVISION 1
Rabun County (R8, S3) at Oglethorpe County (R5, S2), 6 p.m.
CLASS A DIVISION 2
Towns County (R3, S4) has a 1st round bye
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/4/1238037/boys-soccer-playoffs-six-area-teams-get-started-in-5a-3a-and-a-d1-and-d2