Here are the most intriguing games as the playoffs get started:
No. 9 Mt. Pisgah Christian (7-3) at No. 8 Landmark Christian (8-2). This is a match-up of contrasting styles. Located in Fairburn, Landmark finished second in Region 5 and is one of the most physical programs in Class A. The War Eagles rely on a power running game, even out of their spread formations, led by junior quarterback Stockton McGuire and sophomore running back Lofton Tidwell. Senior linebacker/safety Ben Baggett leads the defensive unit. Mt. Pisgah, located in Alpharetta, finished second in Region 6, and is led by quarterback Aaron Winchester, a senior who has committed to Georgia State. Winchester leads the Patriots' spread attack, and is one of the state's most productive dual-threat quarterbacks. He has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for more than 1,500 yards, with 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He has also rushed for more than 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. Seniors Ben Miller, Blake Smith and Oz Dixon, are team's top two-way players. The War Eagles are 4-0 against the Patriots, with the last win coming in 2009 (24-20).
No. 14 Stratford Academy (6-4) at No. 3 Mt. Paran (10-0). Mt. Paran of Kennesaw has had a historic season. The Eagles finished the regular season undefeated for the first time in the program's seven year history and won its first region championship. Mt. Paran features one of the state's most prolific offenses at 45 points per game. The unit is led by senior quarterback Jake Allen who distributes the ball to three playmakers – seniors Emoni Williams and Dorian Walker, and junior Taylor Trammell. The offensive line is anchored by 6-foot-9, 300-pound senior Zach Strong. Stratford Academy of Macon hardly ever puts the ball in the air out of its traditional wing-T offense. The Eagles have just 260 yards passing this season compared to more than 3,200 on the ground. Statford has five players with at least 300 yards rushing this season, led by junior O'Showen Williams with just over 1,000. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
No. 12 Lincoln County (7-3) at No. 5 Charlton County (9-1). This game features two of the state's most storied and successful programs. Lincoln County, located in east Georgia near the South Carolina border, is in its first season since 1972 without legendary head coach Larry Campbell, the state's leader in wins with 477 who retired. Longtime defensive coordinator Kevin Banks is now in charge. After opening the season 1-2 the Red Devils won six of their last seven games, with the only loss coming to undefeated Aquinas (15-13), the defending private school champion. Lincoln is led by quarterback/defensive back LaKeith Lockhart and running back/defensive back Jamar Norman. Charlton County, located in southeast Georgia on the Florida border, is led by one of the state's longest-tenured coaches, Rich McWhorter, who took over in 1990. He is among Georgia's active leaders in wins with 260. Charlton County is led by quarterback Jimmy Nettles and running back/linebacker Andrew Lee. The schools have met seven times since 1974, all in the post season. Lincoln County leads the series 5-2, but Charlton has won the last two meetings, including the last one, a 20-0 victory in the 1999 championship game.
No. 15 Atkinson County (6-4) at No. 2 Irwin County (8-1-1). The teams last met on Halloween night. At the time Irwin had won five consecutive games by an average score of 45-8, but the Rebels nearly pulled the upset losing 21-14. Irwin County is led by the duo of senior running back/defensive back Jakyron Young and junior linebacker DJ Pollard. Young was recently named the Region 2 Player of the Year, while Pollard was named co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Playoff Brackets
Private
Top Bracket
No. 1 Calvary Day (10-0) vs. No. 16 Christian Heritage (5-5)
No. 8 Landmark Christian (8-2) vs. No. 9 Mt. Pisgah Christian (7-3)
No. 5 Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (4-6) vs. No. 12 Athens Christian (7-3)
No. 13 First Presbyterian Day (7-3) at No. 4 Prince Avenue Christian (8-2)
Bottom Bracket
No. 3 Mt. Paran Christian (10-0) vs. No. 14 Stratford Academy (6-4)
No. 6 Savannah Christian (9-1) vs. No. 11. Pacelli (7-3)
No. 7 Tattnall Square Academy (9-1) vs. No. 10 Pinecrest Academy (7-3)
No. 15 St. Francis (7-3) at No. 2 Aquinas (10-0)
Public
Top Bracket
No. 1 Marion County (10-0) vs. No. 16 Greenville (5-5)
No. 8 Mt. Zion-Carroll (7-3) vs. No. 9 Emanuel County Institute (8-2)
No. 5 Charlton County (9-1) vs. No. 12 Lincoln County (7-3)
No. 13 Jenkins County (7-3) at No. 4 Hawkinsville (9-1)
Bottom Bracket
No. 3 Mitchell County (6-4) vs. No. 14 Calhoun County (7-3)
No. 6 Commerce (8-2) vs. No. 11 Clinch County (6-4)
No. 7 Claxton (7-3) vs. No. 10 Dooly County (7-3)
No. 15 Atkinson County (6-4) at No. 2 Irwin County (8-1-1)
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