Here is a look at the first round games.
PRIVATE
Upper Left
No. 24 First Presbyterian Day (5-5) at No. 9 Wesleyan (8-2)
This is the first time the two teams have met. Wesleyan is currently on a four game winning streak. The Wolves have won all their games by at least 10 points, but both defeats were blowouts at the hands of No. 2 Holy Innocents' (31-0) and No. 6 Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (54-17). FPD edged Region 7 and Macon-area rival Tattnall Square (5-5) by .25 points for the last playoff spot, even though Tattnall defeated the Vikings 14-7 on Nov. 1. Tattnall was done in by the fact that it played 0-10 Our Lady of Mercy in the season opener.
No. 17 Calvary Day (7-3) at No. 16 Savannah Christian (6-3)Savannah Christian won a shootout (43-36) when the teams met on October 11. Calvary Day began the season 5-0 before sputtering a bit down the stretch. Savannah Christian started 0-2, had its third game of the season against Toombs County cancelled due to inclement weather and then went on to win six of its last seven games.
Byes: No. 1 Savannah Country Day, No. 8 Christian Heritage
Lower Left
No. 21 Mount Vernon Presbyterian (5-5) at No. 12 Hebron Christian (6-4)The teams have met twice, with Hebron Christian winning both games – 49-14 in 2014 and 42-28 in 2015. Hebron's only losses have been to teams that are either undefeated (Holy Innocents or Athens Academy, twice) or have one loss (Clinch County). This is the fourth consecutive season MVP has made the playoffs.
No. 20 George Walton Academy (6-4) at No. 13 North Cobb Christian (7-3)
This is the first meeting between the two schools. After starting the season 5-1, GWA has lost three of its last four games, including the last two in a row. NCC began the season 4-0 but finished 3-3, though two of those losses were by six and one point.
Byes: No. 4 Fellowship Christian, No. 5 Mount de Sales
Upper Right
No. 23 Mount Paran Christian (5-4) at No. 10 Aquinas (8-2)
The schools split their previous two meetings. Aquinas won, 35-34, in the 2013 state quarterfinals, when they went on to win the state title. MPC won, 34-14, in the 2014 quarterfinals, and went on to win the state title.
No. 18 St. Francis (6-4) at No. 15 Trinity Christian (7-3)This is the first meeting between the two schools. In just two seasons competing in the Georgia High Schools Association, Trinity head coach Kenny Dallas has led the Lions to the state playoffs both seasons. He is the former long-time head coach at Landmark Christian, which he led to the state finals in 2011. St. Francis is back in the state playoffs for the first time since 2014, and for the third time in the program's 10-year history.
Byes: No. 2 Holy Innocents', No. 7 Darlington
Lower Right
No. 22 Stratford Academy (4-6) at No. 11 Prince Avenue Christian (8-2)This is the first meeting between the two schools. Prince Avenue's two losses occurred when junior QB Brock Vandagriff was either playing with a broken fibula (24-14, to Wesleyan on September 6) or sitting out after having surgery to repair the break (24-0, to Athens Academy on October 4). Stratford is in the post season for the 12th season in a row, the last six in the GHSA.
No. 19 Brookstone (6-4) at No. 14 Whitefield Academy (7-3)
Brookstone won both of the previous meetings between the two schools – 43-7 in 2006 and 21-6 in 2007. Whitefield Academy began the season 7-1 but ended on a two-game losing streak. Brookstone ended the season on a two-game slide as well.
Byes: No. 3 Athens Academy, No. 6 Eagle's Landing Christian Academy
PUBLIC
Upper Left
No. 24 Taylor County (5-5) at No. 9 Manchester (8-2)
Manchester has dominated the series, 12-1, which goes back to 1980. The Blue Devils won the last meeting, 44-20, which was the season opener for both teams.
No. 17 Chattahoochee County (6-4) at No. 16 Washington-Wilkes (6-4)Washington-Wilkes won the only previous contest between the two schools, 34-0, in 2017.
Byes: No. 1 Irwin County, No. 8 Johnson County
Lower Left
No. 21 Warren County (6-4) at No. 12 Terrell County (7-3)This is the first meeting between the two schools.
No. 20 Emanuel County Institute (5-5) at No. 13 McIntosh County Academy (4-6)MCA leads the series 5-3 and won the last meeting between the two schools, 53-20 in 2005.
Byes: No. 4 Clinch County, No. 5 Bowdon
Upper Right
No. 23 Trion (5-5) at No. 10 Commerce (8-2)Commerce has won all seven previous meetings between the two schools including the last one, 38-30, in 2007.
No. 18 Schley County (6-4) at No. 15 Claxton (6-4)This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Byes: No. 7 Lincoln County, No. 2 Marion County
Lower Right
No. 22 Seminole County (5-5) at No. 11 Wilcox County (8-2)Wilcox leads the all-time series, 3-2, and has won the last three meetings, including the last one – 33-20 in 2009.
No. 19 Macon County (6-4) at No. 14 Turner County (6-4)Turner leads 11-6 in the all-time series which dates back to 1972. Macon won the last meeting, 47-37, in the second round of the state playoffs in 2016.
Byes: No. 2 Mitchell County, No. 6 Pelham
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