The first round of the state football playoffs claimed two undefeated teams and seven others ranked in the Top 10 last week, but those casualties were mild compared to what is likely in store for round two.
There are 10 games between top 10 teams on Friday, four involving teams that are No. 1.
Colquitt County, No. 1 in Class AAAAAA, gets a visit from No. 4 Dacula. Other No. 1 teams to be tested at home will be Ware County in AAAAA (from No. 7 Mays), Buford in AAAA (from No. 9 Mary Persons) and Greater Atlanta Christian in AA (from No. 10 Lamar County).
The Colquitt County-Dacula game is one of three between top-five teams. The others are No. 2 Coffee at No. 4 Allatoona in AAAAA and No. 4 Marist at No. 2 Griffin in AAAA.
The other games between Top 10 teams are No. 2 Grayson at No. 9 Tucker in AAAAAA, No. 9 Adairsville at No. 3 Blessed Trinity in AAA, No. 6 Westminster at No. 7 Central of Carrollton in AAA and No. 3 Lovett at No. 6 Macon County in AA.
"Yes sir, it definitely is a tough draw," Macon County coach Larry Harold said. "Haven't been able to sleep or enjoy the win against Dublin at all. ... We will have our hands full, but I do believe playing at home will definitely help our players having a big crowd cheering them on."
The opening round took its toll on nine Top 10 teams, two that entered unbeaten. Lanier and Peach County lost in the first round Friday after 10-0 regular seasons.
That is not uncommon. A 10-0 team has lost in the first round 27 times since 1996, when the playoffs were expanded to 32 teams in each class.
Sequoyah, which beat fifth-ranked Lanier in a AAAAA game, had also beaten a 10-0 Tucker team in 2001. In AAA, Appling County ended fourth-ranked Peach County's season at 10-1.
Other ranked teams that didn't make it are No. 3 Valdosta, No. 5 North Gwinnett and No. 8 Mill Creek in AAAAAA, No. 10 Whitewater in AAAA, No. 10 Westside-Macon in AAA, and No. 7 Darlington and No. 9 Thomasville in AA.
The Class A playoffs, which consist of public and private divisions, begin this week with their 16-team draws. All classes will be in the quarterfinals next week in the march to the state finals Dec 12-13 at the Georgia Dome.
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