HS football: Moving on to the state quarterfinals

Moving on to the next round: Camden County players salute their fans after beating McEachern Friday in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Season comes to an end: A McEachern player sits on the field at the end of the team's home loss to Camden County in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

McEachern head coach Kareem Reid (left) and Camden County head coach Jeff Herron shake hands at the conclusion of their playoff game Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

McEachern’s Jayreon Campbell (10) is unable to catch a pass under pressure from Camden County’s Wayne Austell (16) during the Second half aplayoff game Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

McEachern’s Darrion Henderson (3) is unable to make the touchdown catch in the end zone during the second half of a playoff game Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

McEachern’s RJ Echols (4) catches a pass in the second half of a playoff game against Camden County Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Camden County offensive coach Troy Hobbs (left) and head coach Jeff Herron call a play during the second half of a playoff game against the McEachern Indians Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Camden County’s Jaden Dailey (15) finds an opening in McEachern’s defense during the second half of a playoff game Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Camden County’s Ja’Marley Riddle (2) celebrates an interception with a member of the coaching staff during the first half of Friday's state playoff game against McEachern. Camden County defeated McEachern 26-0 in the second round contest in Powder Springs. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Camden County’s Wayne Austell (16) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against McEachern during the first half of Friday's second-round state playoff game in Class 7A. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Camden County’s Ja’Marley Riddle (2) is brought down within yards of the goalline by McEachern’s Terry Wilson (3) during the first half of a playoff game against McEachern Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Camden County’s Ja’Marley Riddle (2) carries the ball with in yards of the goal line during the first half of a playoff game against McEachern Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Grayson’s Elijah Miller heads to the end zone for a touchdown during Friday's home game against North Paulding in the Class 7A state playoffs. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

North Paulding’s Javarius George (5) fails to catch a pass during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Grayson’s John Cineas (19) catches a pass during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Grayson quarterback Jeff Davis (7) runs the ball during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

North Paulding’s Jayden Clayton (22) runs the ball during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Grayson’s Amari Alston (12) runs the ball during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Grayson’s Amari Alston (12) scores a touchdown during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Grayson’s Alex Sanchez (8) runs the ball during a GHSA High School Football game between the Grayson Rams and the North Paulding Wolfpack at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA., on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

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Moving on to the next round: Camden County players salute their fans after beating McEachern Friday in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

By AJC Sports

Updated Nov 18, 2023

Rome, Warner Robins and Toombs County eliminated defending champions in the second round of the football playoffs Friday night while Lumpkin County and Bryan County reached the quarterfinals for the first time in school histories that date back more than four decades.

Rome defeated Class 6A’s reigning champ, Hughes, 42-14, reversing a 42-3 defeat from the 2022 semifinals. Rome (11-1) is ranked No. 6. Hughes entered ranked No. 4 and finished the season 9-3.

Updated class-by-class state playoff brackets

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Click here, if scores do not appear below.

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