Champions decided, first-round playoff games set

In Region 8, No. 2 Buford beat Clarke Central 45-3 to officially claim first place. It was the sixth straight region title for the Wolves, who have won 16 of the last 18. Buford outscored its five region opponents 253-9.

In Region 1, No. 3 Warner Robins turned back Veterans 28-0 to win its second consecutive region title. The Demons, stung by an unexpected forfeit last week, blanked three of their region foes and won the four games by a combined score of 149-10.

In Region 2, No. 8 Wayne County defeated No. 7 Ware County 28-14 to defend its region championship. The victory guaranteed the Yellow Jackets at least two home games in the playoffs.

One game that didn’t determine a region championship but had a major impact on the playoffs occurred in Region 4, where No. 5 Stockbridge went to No. 4 Jones County and came away with a 17-10 win. The victory gave Stockbridge a first-round game at home and sends Jones County on the road for the playoffs. Dutchtown clinched the region championship last week.

In Region 3, Griffin was able to defeat Riverdale 28-12 and claim second place. The loss, the second straight for the Raiders, leaves Riverdale as the No. 3 seed and forces coach Rodney Hackney’s team to hit the road.

In Region 2, Statesboro upset New Hampstead 35-21 and earned the No. 3 seed. The Blue Devils lost six straight in the middle of the season, but came back to win their final two games and finish 4-6. The victory puts Statesboro back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

In Region 5, Arabia Mountain rebounded from last week’s loss to Southwest DeKalb to hammer Lithonia 37-0 and claim the No. 2 seed.

In Region 7, Paulding County turned back Cass 17-14 to avoid a winless season.

Here are the first-round matchups, courtesy of the Georgia High School Association: