Haralson County, Kennesaw Mountain and Luella won their first playoff games in history last week, and four others won first-round games for the first time since the GHSA went to 32-team playoff brackets in 1996. The “four others” require some explanation. Alcovy got a bye in the first round and can win its first playoff game ever this week against Carrollton. Athens Christian won playoff games in a previous century in another association, but the Eagles’ 42-39 victory over St. Francis was their first since joining the GHSA in 2000. Lithia Springs won a region playoff game in 1981, but Friday’s 30-27 victory over Apalachee was the school’s first in the state playoffs. Southeast Bulloch, with a 42-16 victory over Long County, won a playoff game for the first time since its 1973 Class C championship from a six-team bracket. Below are the schools in the modern second round for the first time in at least five seasons.
First - Alcovy
First - Athens Christian
First - Haralson County
First - Kennesaw Mountain
First - Lithia Springs
First - Luella
First - Southeast Bulloch
1997 - Columbia
1998 - Villa Rica
2000 - Shiloh
2002 - Westside (Augusta)
2005 - Dougherty
2006 - Pebblebrook
2010 - Putnam County
2012 - Whitewater
2013 - Ringgold
2014 - Harris County
2014 - Stephens County
2016 - Lovejoy
2016 - McIntosh County Academy
2016 - Spalding
2016 - Tattnall Square
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