It’s no secret that the final week of the regular season is going to be overflowing with drama and key matchups. Only four of the region champions have been determined (Cairo, Mary Persons, Thomson, Woodward Academy) and just six of the 32 total seeds have been set. More importantly, only Chestatee has clinched a No. 4 seed, so the playoff hopes are alive deep within every region.
Region 1
Columbus at Americus-Sumter
Northside-Columbus at Cairo
Carver-Columbus at Hardaway (Thursday)
Shaw at Westover
What to watch for: Cairo has already clinched the No. 1 seed but the No. 2 seed remains up for grabs. Northside-Columbus must beat Cairo and hope for a Carver-Columbus loss to Hardaway to clinch the No. 2 seed. Americus-Sumter can earn a playoff berth with a win over Columbus and a Hardaway loss to Carver-Columbus.
Region 2
Howard at Mary Persons
West Laurens at Perry
Spalding at Upson-Lee
What to watch for: Mary Persons has already clinched No. 1 and Perry and Howard are mathematically eliminated from the postseason. That leaves Upson-Lee (3-1), Spalding (2-2) and West Laurens (2-2) guaranteed to fill seeds 2, 3 and 4 in some order. Upson-Lee controls its one destiny and would clinch No. 2 with a win over Spalding. If Spalding wins, that puts the two teams in a tie and West Laurens would likely force a three-way tie at 3-2. West Laurens beat Spalding this year so if they can defeat Perry on Friday and Upson-Lee beats Spalding then they will take the No. 3 seed.
Region 3
Baldwin at Cross Creek
Burke County at Hephzibah
Thomson at Richmond Academy
What to watch for: Region champion Thomson faces a Richmond Academy team already eliminated from the postseason and Burke County has already clinched the No. 2 seed. That means the winner of the Baldwin at Cross Creek game will take the No. 3 seed and the loser will take the No. 4 seed.
Region 4
Salem at Druid Hills
Eastside at North Clayton
Henry County at Luella
OFF-Woodward Academy
What to watch for: Woodward Academy finished its season last week as the region champs. Eastside controls its own destiny for the No. 2 seed and can clinch it with a win over North Clayton. North Clayton can win the No. 2 seed with a victory, or potentially fall into a tie with Salem or Luella at 3-3 with a loss. North Clayton (3-2) beat Salem (2-3), but lost to Luella (2-3) and Salem beat Luella, but lost to North Clayton. If North Clayton falls to Eastside, Salem loses to Druid Hills and Luella beats Henry County, then Luella could take the three seed and North Clayton would take the No. 4.
Region 5
Troup at Cartersville
Cedartown at Chapel Hill
Central-Carroll at Sandy Creek
OFF-LaGrange
Troup and Cartersville are playing for the No. 1 and No. 2 seed. Sandy Creek already clinched the No. 3 seed and the winner of Cedartown at Chapel Hill will take the No. 4 seed.
Region 6
LaFayette at Gilmer
Heritage-Catoosa at Pickens
Ridgeland at Southeast Whitfield
OFF-Northwest Whitfield
Northwest Whifield finished its season with a 5-1 region lead, but its lone loss came to Ridgeland (4-1), whose lone loss came to Pickens (4-1). That means Ridgeland, Pickens and Northwest Whitfield are all still in the running for the No. 1 seed. Those three teams are guaranteed the 1-3 seeds, while Heritage-Catoosa has already clinched the No. 4 seed regardless of what happens.
Region 7
West Hall at Blessed Trinity
White County at Marist
OFF-Chestatee
In this five-team region, two games will finalize the top 3 seeds. Blessed Trinity can clinch the top seed with a win over West Hall. A West Hall win could theoretically force a three-way tie with Blessed Trinity and Marist. If Marist handles business against White County and Blessed Trinity beats West Hall, then they would take the No. 2 seed. Chestatee is already guaranteed the No. 4 seed.
Region 8
Jefferson at Oconee County
Madison County at St. Pius
North Oconee at Stephens County
Jefferson can take the region title with a win over Oconee County. If Oconee County wins, they’ll need Stephens County to lose to avoid a likely three-way tie between Jefferson, Oconee County and Stephens County at 4-1. Madison County and St. Pius are playing for the No 4 seed.
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