It has happened 47 times that a state semifinal was a rematch of a regular-season game, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. That's going back to 1948, when the GHSA first staged statewide football playoffs in all classes. The original winner is 30-16. One was a tie. Two rematches occurred last season as Colquitt County avenged a 42-25 loss in the regular season to Brookwood, winning 31-14, and Marist beat St. Pius a second time in AAAA. What lone semifinal this season is a rematch of a regular-season game? And which team won the first game? (Answer Friday)

Answer to Wednesday's question: The star players whose teams surprisingly have advanced further this season in their absence are Cartersville's Trevor Lawrence, Lowndes' Michael Barrett, Bainbridge's Dameon Pierce and Stockbridge's Brenton Cox.

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Yemaya Lyles (right) wipes away tears during a news conference in front of the Rockdale County Public Schools administration building on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Lyles' son, Antonio, was assaulted by a paraprofessional, who has since been fired and charged with battery. Lyles says her case against the school district has dragged on since then. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2023)

Credit: Miguel Martinez