GHSF Daily's Chip Saye ranks the most surprising and notable games of the weekend:
1. Oconee County 36, Jefferson 35: Oconee County has won 15 games in two seasons under Travis Noland, but this was by far the most significant, knocking off an undefeated team and putting the Warriors in position to win 8-AAA. Jefferson, the defending region champion, was projected as a 27-point favorite by the computer Maxwell Ratings.
2. North Paulding 33, North Cobb 31: North Cobb had hopes of at least a share of first place in 4-AAAAAA before losing to a North Paulding team that came into the game 2-7 and was a 13-point underdog. Now, North Cobb will be no higher than the No. 2 seed and could finish third or fourth. North Paulding will earn a playoff berth if Harrison loses to Marietta.
3. Crisp County 14, Monroe 13: Monroe could have clinched the subregion title in 1-AAAA Division A with a victory against 17-point underdog Crisp County. That would have guaranteed the Tornadoes a spot in the region championship game and a berth in the state playoffs. Instead, Monroe fell to fourth place in the subregion and will miss the postseason.
4. Valdosta 17, Lowndes 7: Valdosta, a 14-point underdog, moved into sole possession of third place in 1-AAAAAA by recording back-to-back victories over its cross-town rival for the first time since 2003. Valdosta can earn the No. 3 seed with a victory against Lee County this week. Lowndes is still in the playoff hunt and plays Tift County this week.
5. South Paulding 33, Alexander 14: Seven-point underdog South Paulding was in danger of missing the playoffs, but its lopsided victory moved the Spartans into a three-way tie with Alexander and East Paulding for second place in 5-AAAAA. South Paulding beat both teams and will clinch second place with a win against 3-6 Hiram this week.
Also of note: Alcovy had just one victory but needed only to beat Rockdale County to clinch a playoff berth in 2-AAAAAA. Rockdale County (2-7) won 25-6 to force a three-way tie for fourth place (along with Lakeside of Atlanta). ... Perhaps Cedar Grove was looking ahead to this week's 4-AAA championship game against Blessed Trinity. The Saints were 41-point favorites but escaped with a 33-20 victory against South Atlanta. ... Morrow picked up its first victory of the season, beating Forest Park 20-8. Morrow has won just 10 games since the start of the 2007 season, and four of those came against Forest Park. ... Spencer secured its first winning season since 1977 with a 34-8 victory against Kendrick. Spencer (6-3) can clinch its first playoff berth since 1993 with a win this week against Jordan. ... Veterans was playing for first place in 2-AAAA two games ago, but a 36-27 loss to Howard has put the Warhawks' playoff chances in jeopardy. A loss to Upson-Lee this week, combined with a Howard win over Baldwin, would end Veterans' season.
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