The draw is set, and it’s time for predictions.
The bracket is well-balanced, and there aren't many paths for a lower-seeded team to get to the quarterfinals or further without beating a highly ranked team.
The only thing that stands out is that No. 5 Norcross could play No. 7 Lowndes in the second round.
The weakest portion of the bracket is the one that likely will send North Gwinnett or Westlake to the quarterfinals, although I’m picking Etowah to get through there for sake of a Cinderella. South Gwinnett also is there. Those are four pretty good teams, but none outstanding.
Grayson will be a popular choice to go all the way. No different here.
Just note that the Rams might have to beat No. 6 Colquitt County, No. 3 Mill Creek and No. 2 Roswell to do it. In fact, Grayson’s first-round opponent, Mountain View, is ranked No. 9 by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and is seeded fourth despite finishing in a tie for second place in its region.
Roswell and Mill Creek also have No. 1 rankings in other polls, so those will be popular picks as well.
First round
Peachtree Ridge d. Archer
Roswell d. Pebblebrook
North Cobb d. Tift County
Central Gwinnett d. Lambert
North Gwinnett d. South Gwinnett
Etowah d. Westlake
Lowndes d. Hillgrove
Woodstock d. East Coweta
Grayson d. Mountain View
Brookwood d. West Forsyth
Colquitt County d. North Paulding
Cherokee d. Wheeler
Mill Creek d. Newton
Parkview d. South Paulding
McEachern d. Lassiter
Second round
Roswell d. Peachtree Ridge
North Cobb d. Central Gwinnett
Etowah d. North Gwinnett
Grayson d. Woodstock
Colquitt County d. Brookwood
Mill Creek d. Cherokee
McEachern d. Parkview
Third round
Roswell d. North Cobb
Grayson d. Colquitt County
Mill Creek d. McEachern
Semifinals
Roswell d. Norcross
Grayson d. Mill Creek
Final
Grayson d. Roswell
