Class 5A blog: Midseason assessment of playoff picture
Now that everyone in the state has played at least five games, it’s time to take a look at each region and provide an early assessment of the playoff picture.
Region 1: The biggest game of the year to date will occur Friday when No. 6 Ware County (4-1) travels to No. 4 Coffee (6-0) in the league opener for both. The winner will likely play No. 1 Warner Robins for the league title, while the loser is more than likely headed for third place at best. Wayne County (0-5) will host Veterans (1-5) in the other league game. Wayne won the game last year and prevented Veterans from reaching the playoffs.
Region 2: Whitewater (5-1) and Starr’s Mill (4-2) are tied for the league lead at 2-0. Griffin (2-3) and McIntosh (2-4) are tied for third at 1-1. Whitewater plays at McIntosh on Friday, with a date next week to play Starr’s Mill for what could determine the region championship.
Region 3: Woodward Academy (6-0) and Creekside (5-1) are headed for a winner-take-all showdown for the final week. Jonesboro (3-2) scared Woodward a week ago and plays old rival Forest Park on Friday at Tara Stadium; the Cardinals look like a solid No. 3, unless they can upset Creekside. Mundy’s Mill and Banneker appear to be the best of the rest.
Region 4: Defending region champion Jones County (4-2) and Dutchtown (4-2) are tied with 3-0 league records. They don’t meet until the final game of the regular season, which could determine first place. Woodland (3-3, 2-1) has already beaten Eagle’s Landing and Stockbridge and could be headed for the playoffs.
Region 5: No. 10 Decatur (6-0) and No. 8 St. Pius (4-2) are tied for the league lead, but they don’t play until the last week of the season. Saturday’s game between Southwest DeKalb (2-4) and King (1-4) could decide third place in this very top-heavy region.
Region 6: Defending region champion New Manchester (3-3) and Villa Rica (3-2) are both unbeaten in region play, but won’t play until Oct. 29. The other four teams in the region have a combined record of 4-19, meaning the other two playoff spots won’t likely be determined until the final week.
Region 7: The other “Super League” in Class 5A has a trio of outstanding teams – No. 2 Cartersville, No. 7 Calhoun and No. 9 Blessed Trinity. The first domino toward the playoff pecking order will fall this week when Blessed Trinity hosts Calhoun; both teams must still play Cartersville. The winner of this week’s game between Woodland and Cass will have an advantage on getting the final playoff spot.
Region 8: This may be the most balanced league in the classification, with seven of the eight teams having a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Defending champion Clarke Central (3-2, 3-0) hasn’t lost a league game, but the Gladiators still have to figure some things out. Loganville, Eastside and Greenbrier are the next three likely suspects – Eastside hosts Loganville this week – but Walnut Grove, Jackson County and Apalachee have all provided surprises this season. Got a feeling this one will go down to the wire.
About the Author
Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.
