The region portion of the schedule is only two weeks old in 2-AAAAAA, but the playoff picture is already quite clear.
Richmond Hill is likely to be the region champion. Effingham County will need a miracle to make it to the playoffs. The region’s other three teams – Bradwell Institute, Brunswick and defending champion Glynn Academy – appear destined to battle it out for second, third and fourth place.
On Tuesdays this season, we’ve been examining the playoff outlooks for every team as region play kicks off (or shortly after it begins). We conclude today with Region 2.
Here’s a closer look at each of the teams, broken down by playoff likelihood, in alphabetical order within each group:
Defending champion: Glynn Academy
Current standings:
Team - Region / Overall
Richmond Hill – 2-0 / 4-3
Bradwell Institute – 1-0 / 3-3
Brunswick – 1-1 / 4-4
Glynn Academy – 0-1 / 2-4
Effingham County – 0-2 / 2-6
Safest playoff bet: Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill can clinch its first region title since 1996 with a victory Friday at Bradwell Institute. The Wildcats could even win the title if they lose to Bradwell, as long as they beat Effingham County in the regular-season finale and Bradwell loses to Brunswick and Glynn Academy in its final two regular-season games (Bradwell is likely to the underdog in both games). Regardless of whether it wins the region, Richmond Hill will be headed to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and the sixth time in eight years.
In the hunt: Bradwell Institute, Brunswick, Glynn Academy
In five-team regions, one victory in region play is often enough to secure a playoff berth. Bradwell Institute and Brunswick already have one, so they should be in good shape. Glynn Academy is the three-time defending region champion, but the Red Terrors’ reign is in jeopardy after they lost to Richmond Hill 23-14 in their region opener last week. However, Glynn Academy remains the region’s highest-ranked team by the computer Maxwell Ratings, and its streak of 11 consecutive playoff appearances appears to be safe.
Long shots: None
Not this year: Effingham County
Effingham County made the playoffs five of the past seven seasons and last year won its first playoff game since 1987, but a loss to Glynn Academy next weekend would officially eliminate the Rebels, who are off this week. Even a win over Glynn Academy wouldn’t guarantee the Rebels a playoff berth. They would still need either to beat Richmond Hill on Nov. 8 or get a lot of help.
Games to watch:
The Richmond Hill-Bradwell Institute game Friday could decide the region title, and the Effingham County-Glynn Academy game next weekend could secure playoff berths for Bradwell Institute, Brunswick and Glynn Academy. Otherwise, the remaining regular-season games are likely to be for seeding, especially at the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 spots. Also, Richmond Hill has a marquee non-region game at home on Nov. 1 against Wayne County, the No. 7-ranked team in Class AAAAA.
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