There are just two Friday nights of regular season action left this season and the playoff picture will largely come into focus following Week 11’s slate of matchups. Amongst this week’s top matchups are six that are going to be crucial in determining this year’s playoff field.
Westover vs. Americus-Sumter At Mills Stadium
Carver-Columbus already secured the top seed in Region 1-AAAA and Cairo is projected to be the No. 2 seed—as the Syrupmakers only need to wins in one of two final games to mathematically guarantee it. Westover and Americus-Sumter, however are in possession to play for the No. 3 seed this Friday night and both teams enter the matchup with 4-2 records in region play. Westover’s two losses came to Cairo and Carver. As for Americus-Sumter, the have a loss to Cairo and Hardaway and will have to close out the season with Carver-Columbus next week (Carver is on its bye this week). Westover receiver Jordyn Williams is a potential mismatch that could help give the Patriots the edge.
Mary Persons at Perry
Perry will set up a Region 2-AAAA championship showdown with West Laurens next Friday if it is able to score a victory against Mary Persons. West Laurens demolished Mary Persons 52-7 last week and will face Upson-Lee tomorrow. Perry hasn’t won a region title since the 1959 season so this is a storyline to keep an eye on.
Thomson at Burke County
Thomson can take the Region 2-AAAA title with a win over Burke County this Friday. The Bulldogs defeated Baldwin 35-21 and Baldwin defeated Burke County 44-30 this past week. This is the season finale for Burke County, which comes into the matchup with a 7-2 overall record and 2-1 standing in Region 2-AAAA. Thomson is 4-4 overall, 2-0 in region play and closes out its season next week against Richmond Academy.
Cedartown at Sandy Creek
Cartersville secured the top seed in Region 5-AAAA already, but Cedartown and Sandy Creek are set to battle for the No. 2 and No. 3 seed with their matchup this Friday. Both teams have fallen to Cartersville and they have also defeated Troup, which is still in a mathematical battle with Chapel Hill and Central-Carroll for a potential No. 4 seed.
Blessed Trinity at Marist
Ever since Blessed Trinity and Marist were reclassified to share Region 7-AAAA, the two programs have played for a region title in their regular season meetings. Friday will mark the fourth-consecutive edition of this ultra-competitive rivalry. Two-time defending champion Blessed Trinity has opened up an 8-1 start to the season and is currently ranked No. 4 in the classification. As for Marist, the War Eagles are flourishing and have a chance to append a perfect 10-0 season on Friday with a victory over the rival Titans.
Oconee County at North Oconee
Similarly to Marist, North Oconee has an opportunity to close out a region title and perfect regular season this Friday against its rival. The 9-0 Titans have dominated the competition this season and come into the matchup having outscored their three previous Region 8-AAAA opponents by a combined 119-24. Oconee County will host Madison County next week to close out its regular season and the Warriors enter Friday’s matchup with a 7-1 overall record and a 2-0 region start. Oconee County fell 28-21 in non-region play to Clarke Central and has won six-straight games.
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