The Class 3A high school football season has come down to four games and eight storied teams searching for postseason glory that will allow them to bring home a first, or yet another state championship.
Welcome to the quarterfinals.
Teams looking to add another title to their trophy cases include Thomasville (four titles coming in 1958, 1973-74, 1988), Sandy Creek (three in 2009-10, 2012), Savannah Christian (one in 2011), Cedar Grove (four in 2016, 2018-19, 2021), Oconee County (one in 1999) and Carver-Columbus (one in 2007).
Carver-Atlanta and Calvary Day have never won championships.
The much-heralded Region 5 was pinned as the favorite entering the playoffs, and the league has lived up to the hype. Three of its four teams – Cedar Grove, Sandy Creek and Carver-Atlanta – are still alive. In second-round play, Cedar Grove defeated Hebron Christian 70-33; Sandy Creek beat Stephens County 20-7, and Carver moved past Monroe Area 30-18.
In the top-right quadrant, Calvary Day, ranked No. 2, defeated Dougherty 54-41 and will travel to top-ranked Cedar Grove for a state championship-like matchup. … and arguably the best 3A game of the season. The game will be broadcast on PeachtreeTV (WPCH) Friday at 8 p.m.
In the bottom-right quadrant, Carver-Columbus moved past Harlem 40-7 and will play Oconee County after Oconee’s 45-20 victory against Adairsville.
Thomasville’s 13-6 victory against Liberty County set up a meeting with Carver-Atlanta on the top-left side of the bracket.
In the bottom-left quadrant, Sandy Creek will play Savannah Christian after the Raiders defeated Peach County 23-7.
Class 3A quarterfinals schedule
R5 #3 Carver-Atlanta at R1 #1 Thomasville
R5 #2 Sandy Creek at R3 #2 Savannah Christian
R3 #1 Calvary Day at R5 #1 Cedar Grove
R8 #3 Oconee Co. at R1 #2 Carver-Columbus