Class AAAAAA
Colquitt County at Dacula
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Barron Field, Dacula
Records, rankings: Colquitt County is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 1 and No. 3; Dacula is 8-4, the No. 2 seed from Region 8 and unranked.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. A victory would put Colquitt County in the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season. That would set a record in the highest classification. Colquitt jointly holds the record with Decatur (1950-53), Richmond Academy (1959-62), Northside of Atlanta (1954-57) and Valdosta (1968-71). Dacula has been in 11 quarterfinals and won in 1988, 1990 and 2005. 2. Colquitt County RB Sihiem King rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-6 victory over North Cobb in the second round. He didn't play in the second half. That gives the junior 1,362 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. Colquitt County has won 12 road playoff games since 1999. Only a handful of schools have won that many road playoff games in the past 25 years. 3. Dacula and Peachtree Ridge each had more than 400 yards in total offense in their second-round game, but Dacula didn't allow a point in the second half and intercepted two fourth-down passes in its territory in the fourth quarter to preserve a 28-21 victory. Dacula rushed for 291 yards. Kelan Fraise has 116 of those.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Colquitt County by 12
Winner plays: Lowndes/Norcross winner
Lowndes at Norcross
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Norcross Stadium, Norcross
Records, rankings: Lowndes is 9-3, the No. 3 seed from Region 1 and unranked; Norcross is 10-2, the No. 1 seed from Region 7 and No. 5.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Norcross and Lowndes were preseason Top 10 teams that overcame embarrassing early season home losses to make the quarterfinals. Norcross lost 55-0 to B.T. Washington of Miami, now the No. 1 team nationally in most polls, on Aug. 24. Lowndes lost 15-14 at home to Newton, a team that finished 5-6. 2. Lowndes rushed for 303 yards and held Lovejoy to 15 rushing yards in a 23-18 victory in the second round. Lovejoy got 155 of its 215 total yards on passes to Preston Williams, including an 80-yard touchdown. LB Tre Jackson, a preseason all-state player who has committed to Georgia Tech, leads a Lowndes defense that allows only 84.5 yards rushing per game. 3. Norcross also is known for its defense. DE Lorenzo Carter (top-rated prospect in Georgia) and LB Kevin Mouhon (committed to Tennessee) have more than 50 tackles for losses between them. Norcross held Brookwood's Jesse Brown to 83 yards rushing last week after he had more than 200 in the first round. Norcross RB Josh Boyd rushed for 173, giving him 1,325 on the season.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Norcross by 15
Winner plays: Colquitt County/Dacula winner
McEachern at Collins Hill
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Fahring Field, Suwanee
Records, rankings: McEachern is 10-2, the No. 3 seed from Region 4 and unranked; Collins Hill is 11-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 7 and No. 7.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Collins Hill, a co-champion in Region 7 but seeded No. 2, beat Alpharetta 48-0 in the second round. That is the largest margin of victory against a region champion in the first two rounds of the playoffs since the field went to 32 teams in 1996. Colquitt County's 52-6 victory over North Cobb on Friday ranks second. The blowout boosted Collins Hill to the No. 1 ranking in the computer Maxwell Ratings. 2. Collins Hill has the leading passer and rusher among players left in the AAAAAA playoffs. QB Tyler Herman unofficially is 193-of-301 passing for 2,765 yards and 32 touchdowns. RB Tyler Henderson has rushed for 1,554 yards and 25 touchdowns. Henderson scored five touchdowns against Alpharetta, two on pass plays. 3. McEachern was ranked as high as No. 2 after a 7-0 start but is considered a Cinderella in the quarterfinals as a No. 3 seed that has played without its starting quarterback, Ty Clemons, in the playoffs. McEachern trailed 21-9 in the fourth quarter against Region 3 champion Hughes before winning 22-21 and advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1999. The biggest play was freshman Bailey Hockman's 22-yard TD pass to Malik Williams on fourth-and-10 to make it 21-16. Taj Griffin scored the winning touchdown on an 18-yard run with 2:20 to play.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Collins Hill by 16
Winner plays: North Gwinnett/Hillgrove winner
North Gwinnett at Hillgrove
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cobb Energy Hillgrove Stadium, Powder Springs
Records, rankings: North Gwinnett is 11-1, the No. 3 seed from Region 7 and No. 1; Hillgrove is 11-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 4 and No. 8.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Hillgrove stunned second-ranked Camden County in the second round for the second time in four seasons, winning 34-21. Hillgrove beat Camden 28-26 in the 2010 second round when Camden was ranked No. 1. Hillgrove is the only school that has won two road games at Camden since 2000. Hillgrove trailed 21-7 in the first quarter but didn't allow another point. RB Richardre Bagley rushed for 141 yards on 27 carries. He has 1,514 yards rushing on the season. 2. North Gwinnett ended the season of the classification's only unbeaten team, Archer, 34-32 on a 27-yard field by Michael D'Angola with seven seconds left in their second-round game. D'Angola's 29-yarder was partially blocked on North Gwinnett's previous drive, but North forced a three-and-out for another chance. C.J. Leggett rushed for 181 yards, giving him 1,208 in the season. QB Hayden Sphire was 17-of-29 passing for 219 yards, giving him 2,205 on the season. 3. North Gwinnett has reached its sixth quarterfinal since 2006, when Bob Sphire arrived as head coach. That is the most among AAAAAA schools in that time. Camden County, Colquitt County and Grayson have gone five times each. But the quarterfinals also have been a frequent stopping point for the Bulldogs, who are 1-4 in those games.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: North Gwinnett by 9
Winner plays: McEachern/Collins Hill winner
Class AAAAA
Creekside at North Paulding
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Den, Dallas
Records, rankings: Creekside is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 4 and No. 4; North Paulding is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 5 and No. 8.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Creekside was tied with Harris County 7-7 early in the second quarter but scored 21 points over the next 15 minutes to pull away in a 42-21 second-round victory. Jayson Stanley caught touchdown passes of 28 and 45 yards from Felix Harper, and Dexter Knox had touchdowns rushing and receiving. Creekside is 12-0 for the fourth time in the program's 24-year history. 2. North Paulding QB Chase Noonan threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Mac Seagle on the first play of the game and hit Seagle for a 67-yard TD four minutes later in a 35-7 second-round victory against Stephenson. Brandon Townsend returned two first-quarter interceptions for touchdowns as the Wolfpack led 28-0 less than eight minutes into the game. Noonan passed for 2,125 yards in the regular season and had 319 against Stephenson. 3. Creekview is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006 and fourth time overall. The Seminoles were 1-2 in the quarters in their previous three appearances. North Paulding, which opened in 2008, is in the quarterfinals for the first time. The Wolfpack lost to Tucker in the second round last year in its only previous playoff appearance.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Creekside by 6
Winner plays: Warner Robins/Kell winner
Warner Robins at Kell
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, C.J. Kell Stadium, Marietta
Records, rankings: Warner Robins is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 2 and No. 6; Kell is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 7 and No. 2.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Warner Robins has two 1,000-yard rushers in Danny Hite Jr. (1,150 yards, 187 carries, 13 touchdowns) and Jacquan Burns (1,028, 153, four). QB Caden Johnston has passed for 1,330 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 319 yards and six scores. The Demons are averaging 364.7 yards of total offense but were outgained 416-326 in a 45-28 victory over Richmond Hill in the second round. 2. Kell sophomore Evan Carnes scored on a 14-yard reception and a 20-yard interception return in the third quarter as the Longhorns pulled away from Mays for a 26-15 second-round victory. Jay Moxey, who leads the Longhorns in rushing with 1,269 yards (unofficially), ran for 146 yards on 26 carries against Mays. 3. Warner Robins, which won state titles in 1976, 1981, 1988 and 2004, is in the quarterfinals for the second time in three seasons. A victory this week would give the Demons 12 wins for the first time since the 2004 title team went 14-0-1. Kell, which opened in 2003, is in the quarterfinals for the second time in four years and seeks its first 13-win season.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Kell by 5
Winner plays: Creekside/North Paulding winner
Ware County at Tucker
When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Hallford Stadium, Clarkston
Records, rankings: Ware County is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 3 and No. 5; Tucker is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 6 and No. 1.
Last meeting: Tucker won 42-3 in the 2010 Class AAAA quarterfinals.
Three things to know: 1. Sophomores Dedrick Mills and Jaquez Bolds form a dangerous backfield tandem for Ware County. Both had more than 100 yards rushing as the Gators routed Northside of Warner Robins 35-7 in the second round. Mills scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). Ware County also eliminated Northside in 2012. 2. Tucker had the closest second-round game of any of the quarterfinalists, holding on for a 16-13 victory that wasn't secure until East Paulding fumbled at the Tucker 7-yard line in the closing seconds. The Tigers are the leading rushing team in DeKalb County, averaging 238 yards per game, but have no player averaging more than 50. 3. Ware County is in the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive a season, a streak that began in 2010 when it lost to the Tigers. Tucker is in the quarterfinals for the fourth straight season and the 10th time since 2000. The Tigers won state championships in 2008 and 2011.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Tucker by 2
Winner plays: Mundy's Mill/Gainesville winner
Mundy's Mill at Gainesville
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, City Park Stadium/Bobby Gruhn Field, Gainesville
Records, rankings: Mundy's Mill is 8-4, the No. 2 seed from Region 4 and unranked; Gainesville is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 8 and No. 3.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Mundy's Mill RB Rodney Smith has rushed for 613 yards and eight touchdowns in the Tigers' two playoff games, including 266 yards and four TDs in a 41-35 second-round victory over Lee County. Smith, who suffered a torn ACL last season, ran for 1,361 yards during the regular season. 2. Gainesville QB Deshaun Watson passed for 423 yards in a 51-12 victory over South Paulding in the second round to increase his season total to 3,233 yards. Watson, the state's all-time leader in career passing yards, has thrown for 12,535 yards in four seasons, almost 3,500 yards more than previous record-holder Zach Stanford of Metter. 3. Gainesville, the defending state champion, is 19-4 in home playoff games since 2001, and a victory this week would put the Red Elephants in the semifinals for the third consecutive season. Mundy's Mill, an 11-year-old program in Clayton County, had never won a playoff game before beating Houston County and Lee County in the first two rounds this year.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Gainesville by 22
Winner plays: Ware County/Tucker winner
Class AAAA
Griffin at Sandy Creek
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Battlefield, Tyrone
Records, rankings: Griffin is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 4 and No. 2; Sandy Creek is 11-0-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 5 and No. 1.
Last meeting: Sandy Creek won 22-15 in the 2009 Class AAAA semifinals.
Three things to know: 1. This will be the third time this season that a No. 1 team has faced a No. 2 team (AJC rankings). Sandy Creek beat Carrollton 24-7 on Nov. 1. In AAAAA, Tucker beat Stephenson 31-28 on Oct. 11. Other polls had Lovett at No. 1 and Greater Atlanta Christian at No. 2 when Lovett won 17-14 on Nov. 8. The No. 1 team won all of those games. 2. Sandy Creek won its 14th consecutive home playoff game last week with a 55-7 victory over Chestatee. QB Cole Garvin was 9-of-9 passing for 139 yards and went over 2,000 yards passing on the season (2,035). RB Eric Swinney rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns (giving him 22 on the season) on just six carries. Swinney and teammate Delvin Weems each have more than 1,150 yards rushing on the season. 3. Griffin is averaging 46 points per game, tied with Carrollton for first in AAAA. QB Jaquez Parks is a strong candidate for AAAA offensive player of the year. He has thrown for 2,706 yards and 22 touchdowns. Wide receivers Keyston Fuller and Trey Willis each were over 100 yards receiving last week. Griffin allowed only 149 yards in total offense in a 42-7 second-round victory over Statesboro. A third of that came on a late TD drive against reserves.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Sandy Creek by 10
Winner plays: Alexander/Wayne County winner
Alexander at Wayne County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Donaldson-Madray Field at Jaycee Stadium, Jesup
Records, rankings: Alexander is 8-4, the No. 4 seed from Region 5 and unranked; Wayne County is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 3 and No. 7.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Mikell Lands-Davis rushed for 310 yards and five touchdowns - three on runs of 58, 66 and 69 yards - in a 42-28 victory over Lanier in the second round. Lands-Davis has rushed for 2,267 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. Alexander also throws well. Baylor Whitfield is 120-for-204 passing for 1,362 yards. 2. Wayne County WR Krenwick Sanders, who scored six touchdowns on pass receptions in the first round, returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the 20-17 victory over Veterans last week. The Wisconsin recruit has 53 catches for 1,177 yards and 20 TDs. Wayne County held Veterans to 96 yards rushing and forced four turnovers. 3. Alexander is in the quarterfinals for the first time. Wayne County is back for the fifth time but first since 1993. Wayne has not advanced to the semifinals since 1976. This quarter of the draw assured a relative stranger getting to the semifinals. The most recent of the eight teams to get that far was Dalton (beaten by Alexander in the first round) in 2001.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Wayne County by 6
Winner plays: Griffin/Sandy Creek winner
Marist at Burke County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bear Den, Waynesboro
Records, rankings: Marist is 10-2, the No. 1 seed from Region 6 and No. 5; Burke County is 9-2, the No. 1 seed from Region 3 and No. 6.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. The coin flip that decided home-field advantage between these region champions was significant. Burke has won 11 consecutive home playoff games. Marist lost six of its past seven road playoff games and is 10-17 since 1987 in road playoff games compared to 50-2 at home in that time. 2. Burke County's 20-0 victory over Mary Persons in the first round was the Bears' first playoff shutout in history, covering 37 games. DL Bryant Wilson (6-5, 245) leads the team with 9.5 tackles for losses. The offense is led by QB Donquell Green, who has rushed for 1,506 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. He is 65-for-110 passing for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns. 3. Marist QB Chase Martenson has rushed for a team-leading 992 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, six in two playoff games. Marist averages 312 yards rushing per game in an option-based offense. DL Kendall Baker, who has committed to Georgia, has a team-leading 10 tackles for losses for a defense that allows only 114.5 yards rushing per game.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Even
Winner plays: Carrollton/Stockbridge winner
Carrollton at Stockbridge
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium, Stockbridge
Records, rankings: Carrollton is 11-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 5 and No. 4; Stockbridge is 11-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 4 and No. 9.
Last meeting: Carrollton won 35-10 in the second round of the 2011 Class AAA playoffs.
Three things to know: 1. Stockbridge QB Javon Brandon, who scored two touchdowns in a 35-0 victory over Westover in the second round, has led the team to six consecutive victories (scoring at least 31 points in each game) since the early season starter went down with a season-ending injury on Oct. 18. Malik Bryan has rushed for 1,380 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in the Wing-T offense. Super 11 DB Kendarius Webster, who is committed to Ole Miss, leads the defense. 2. Carrollton runs a similar Wing-T offense but without a true feature back. Running backs Jarvies Terrell (893 yards rushing), Malik Sheppard (790) and Trey Chivers (717) each have 13 rushing touchdowns. QB Will Garrett (57-of-92 passing, 1,103 yards) has scored 12 and passed for 13. DT Dontavius Russell, who has committed to Georgia, has 6.5 tackles for losses. DL Brandon Walton, who has committed to Appalachian State, has 5.5 sacks. 3. Stockbridge is in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive time and second time ever. A victory would mean that Stockbridge coach Kevin Whitley had improved the team's record in each of his five seasons - from 1-9 the season before he arrived to 2-8 to 6-5, to 9-3 to 11-2 to 12-1.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Carrollton by 18
Winner plays: Marist/Burke County winner
Class AAA
St. Pius at Callaway
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Callaway Stadium, LaGrange
Records, rankings: St. Pius is 9-3, the No. 3 seed from Region 6 and unranked; Callaway is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 4 and No. 5.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. St. Pius is a running team that averages 39.3 carries and 260.3 yards on the ground while attempting just four passes per game. The leading rusher is Dalton Wilson, who averages 13 carries and 83.3 yards. Wilson ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries in a 31-19 second-round victory over Cartersville, which held the Golden Lions to 9 yards passing and a season-low 208 rushing. 2. Callaway's Eddie Culpepper had touchdown runs of 23, 40, 14 and 7 yards in a 49-21 victory over Pierce County in the second round. Terry Godwin, perhaps the top junior recruit in the state, returned an interception 99 yards for a 14-0 lead after Pierce County drove to the Callaway 7-yard line with a chance to tie the game 7-7 midway through the first quarter. 3. St. Pius lost to Buford in the state championship game last season and is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years. Callaway, which opened in 1996, set a school record for victories with its win last week. The Cavaliers are in the quarterfinals for the second time. They lost to Fitzgerald 35-21 in the 2009 quarters.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: St. Pius by 2
Winner plays: Carver (Columbus)/Buford winner
Carver (Columbus) at Buford
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Records, rankings: Carver is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 2 and No. 4; Buford is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 7 and No. 1.
Last meeting: Buford won 31-7 in the 2012 Class AAA quarterfinals.
Three things to know: 1. One week after allowing 32 points in a three-overtime victory against B.E.S.T. Academy, Carver gave up just 95 yards of total offense in a 19-0 second-round victory over Jefferson County for its first shutout of the season. A blocked punt by Daniel Melvin and a fumble recovery by Mike Barker set up touchdowns. Carver allows 16.3 points per game, sixth-best among the remaining AAA teams. 2. Buford's Thomas Wilson rushed for two touchdowns and returned a fumble 22 yards for another score in a 40-7 second-round victory over Woodward Academy. Tyler Winslow returned a blocked punt 14 yards for another score for the Wolves, who give up a AAA-best 6.0 points per game. 3. Carver's only victory in four all-time meetings with Buford was a 14-0 win the 2011 regular season that was Buford's only loss in a championship season. Buford has since won three straight in the series, knocking the Tigers out of the playoffs the past two years (semifinals in 2011, quarterfinals in 2012).
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Buford by 38
Winner plays: St. Pius/Callaway winner
Washington County at Blessed Trinity
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell
Records, rankings: Washington County is 11-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 3 and No. 3; Blessed Trinity is 9-3, the No. 1 seed from Region 6 and No. 10.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Junior QB A.J. Gray rushed for 245 yards and six touchdowns on 19 carries in Washington County's 56-16 victory over Peach County in the second round. Gray (996 yards) is the team's third-leading rusher behind Melvin Hill (1,336) and Danyale Wicker (1,113). Washington County had been 0-10-2 all-time against Peach County. The Golden Hawks average 51.5 points per game, the best in Class AAA, and are 8-0 this season against playoff teams. 2. Chad Manthey rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in Blessed Trinity's 38-0 victory over White County in the second round. It was Blessed Trinity's second shutout of White County and third overall this season. Carter McManes scored two touchdowns and Conor Davis passed for 111 yards and a TD for the Titans, who outgained White County 233-25 in the first half and led 28-0 at halftime. 3. Washington County, which won state titles in 1994, 1996 and 1997, is in the quarterfinals for the third time in Joel Ingram's eight seasons as coach. Blessed Trinity began playing football in 2001 and is in the quarterfinals for the first time.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Washington County by 21
Winner plays: Central (Carrollton)/Ringgold winner
Central (Carrollton) at Ringgold
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Don Patterson Stadium, Ringgold
Records, rankings: Central is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 4 and unranked; Ringgold is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 5 and unranked.
Last meeting: Central won 19-15 in the regular season on Sept. 13.
Three things to know: 1. Central averages 233 yards rushing while attempting fewer than six passes per game. The leading rusher is Damarius Owensby with 896 yards and eight touchdowns on 23 carries. Owensby ran for 99 yards in a 46-13 second-round victory over Appling County, but the Lions also got 73 yards and two touchdowns from Jayleen Terry and 64 yards and a TD from Curtis Davenport. 2. Ringgold QB Slade Dale has rushed for 331 yards and six touchdowns and passed for four touchdowns and more than 250 yards in two playoff games, including a 37-12 victory against Cedar Grove last week. Dale passed for 1,443 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season and was the team's leading rusher with 1,035 yards and 15 TDs. 3. This is a rematch of the teams' Sept. 13 regular-season game, which Central won despite being outgained 300-223. Central QB Wesley Long passed for 86 yards and rushed for two touchdowns. The Lions held Dale to 199 yards passing and a season-low 53 yards rushing.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Ringgold by 7
Winner plays: Washington County/Blessed Trinity winner
Class AA
Jefferson at Lamar County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Trojan Field, Barnesville
Records, rankings: Jefferson is 8-3, the No. 2 seed from Region 8 and No. 8; Lamar County is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 4 and No. 1.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. RB Lawrence Austin rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns in Lamar County's 38-20 second-round victory over Thomasville. He also intercepted a pass, and his brother, QB/DB Lance Austin, intercepted two. Lawrence Austin has rushed for 1,195 yards on the season. Lance has rushed for 853. Lamar County averages only about five passes per game. 2. QB Evan Shirreffs came off the bench to throw three TD passes in Jefferson's 61-57 victory over Heard County. Injured in October, Shirreffs threw one TD pass to his temporary replacement at quarterback, T.J. Skelton, on a 9-yarder that was the game-winning score. Shirreffs also ran for a touchdown and caught a TD pass in what was the third-highest-scoring game in state playoff history. Shirreffs is 75-of-125 passing for 1,084 yards on the season. 3. This is a matchup between the No. 1-ranked team (Lamar County) and the defending champion (Jefferson). Both made the semifinals last season. Lamar County lost to Calhoun, Jefferson's opponent in the final.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Lamar County by 15
Winner plays: Calhoun/Benedictine winner
Calhoun at Benedictine
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Savannah State University's T.A. Wright Stadium, Savannah
Records, rankings: Calhoun is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 7 and No. 5; Benedictine is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 2 and No. 6.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Calhoun has won 20 consecutive home playoff games, the longest active streak of its kind in the state, but lost a coin flip to host the quarterfinals as Benedictine also is a region champion. The trip to Savannah State, where the game will be played, is 320 miles. Benedictine, which frequently has chosen to play in classifications higher than its enrollment dictates, has been home to only eight state-playoff games in its history and had only one victory (1996 vs. Northside of Warner Robins) until this season. 2. Brandon Blaylock kicked a 33-yard field goal with 1:37 left for the winning points in Calhoun's 31-30 victory over Greater Atlanta Christian. GAC missed a 26-yard field goal with eight seconds left. Tydus Curtis had a 74-yard pass reception and 90-yard kickoff return. Curtis has 45 catches for 952 yards on the season and has scored 13 touchdowns. Distant cousin Chandler Curtis leads the team with 16 touchdowns and has 755 yards receiving. 3. Benedictine RB J.J. Gaines rushed for 128 yards and scored two touchdowns, one on a reception, in a 51-7 second-round victory over Fitzgerald. Gaines, the team leader in rushing with 811 yards, is one of three Benedictine running backs with 15 or more touchdowns overall. Gaines has 15. Chance Jackson (694 yards) and Mike Huggins (583) have 17 each. QB Stevie Powers is 63-of-88 passing for 1,445 yards.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Benedictine by 2
Winner plays: Jefferson/Lamar County winner
Lovett at Laney
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lucy C. Laney Memorial Stadium, Augusta
Records, rankings: Lovett is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 6 and No. 2; Laney is 10-2, the No. 1 seed from Region 3 and unranked.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Lovett RB Grant Haley has rushed for 100 yards or more in each of his past four games, all against playoff opponents. He has 1,081 yards on the season with 19 touchdowns. Lovett's strength is defense. The Lions are allowing 97.2 yards rushing and 62.2 passing to Class AA opponents. 2. Laney limited Vidalia to 125 yards in total offense and held 1,500-yard rusher Tra Hardy to 78 yards rushing in a 22-13 victory in the second round. QB Horatio Keller rushed for 97 yards on 12 carries, and his 38-yard TD run with eight minutes left put Laney in control. Keller was 9-of-14 passing for 143 yards. 3. Laney won the coin toss between region champions to get home-field advantage. Laney is 11-1 in home playoff games since 2000, its only loss to Benedictine in 2002. Laney has made the semifinals three times (2002, 2003, 2004) in that time. Lovett is trying to get back to the semifinals for the 12th time overall and first since 2010.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Lovett by 26
Winner plays: Bowdon/Brooks County winner
Bowdon at Brooks County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Veterans Stadium, Quitman
Records, rankings: Bowdon is 11-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 5 and unranked; Brooks County is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 1 and No. 7.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Bowdon rushed for more than 300 yards in the first half, taking a 35-7 lead, in a 48-13 victory over third-ranked Washington-Wilkes in the second round in what might be the most surprising score of the playoffs this season in any class. Washington-Wilkes beat Bowdon 66-28 in the first round last year. 2. Brooks County QB Malkom Parrish scored three touchdowns and passed for two in a 55-28 victory over Bleckley County in the second round. The AJC Super 11 pick, who has committed to Georgia as a defensive back, will go over 1,000 yards rushing and passing for the second consecutive season. 3. Bowdon has made the quarterfinals 12 times and semifinals five times, but neither since 2005. Brooks County is aiming for its first semifinal since 2008 and fourth in history.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Brooks County by 6
Winner plays: Lovett/Laney winner
Class A-Public
Charlton County at Seminole County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Seminole Stadium, Donalsonville
Records, rankings: Charlton County is 7-4, the No. 9 seed and unranked; Seminole County is 11-0, the No. 1 seed and ranked No. 2.
Last meeting: Charlton County won 23-20 in the first round of the 2001 Class AA playoffs.
Three things to know: 1. Charlton County passes about 37 times per game, but it was the running game that did the damage in a 35-21 victory over Commerce last week. Drew Lee ran 27 times for 332 yards, including 256 in the first half, when Charlton County built a 35-7 lead. Lee scored three touchdowns, including two that covered 67 and 81 yards. 2. Seminole County RB Thomas Aiken, who missed the entire regular season for disciplinary reasons, according to the Albany Herald, ran for 129 yards and a touchdown in a 21-14 victory over Wilkinson County last week. Seminole scored the winning touchdown with seven minutes remaining and stopped a last-minute drive with two sacks after Wilkinson reached the 25-yard line. 3. Charlton County is trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2006, when it made it to the Class AA championship game and tied Dublin 13-13. Seminole County is in the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season but has not reached the semifinals since 1974.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Seminole County by 11
Winner plays: Johnson County/Irwin County winner
Johnson County at Irwin County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Indian Field, Ocilla
Records, rankings: Johnson County is 10-1, the No. 5 seed and ranked No. 10; Irwin County is 9-1-1, the No. 4 seed and ranked No. 6.
Last meeting: Johnson County won 40-6 in the 2006 regular season.
Three things to know: 1. Johnson County QB Markel Horne was 8-of-13 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards and two TDs in a 29-20 first-round victory over Emanuel County Institute, the Trojans' second win against ECI this season. Ronquez Harden, who led the Trojans in the regular season with 23 catches for 398 yards, also was the top target against ECI with five receptions for 129 yards and a TD. 2. Jakyron Young ran for 165 yards and Antwuana Merritt had 117 as Irwin County rushed for 474 yards in a 49-26 victory over Trion in the first round. Merritt (946 yards, 17 touchdowns) and Young (928, 10) are both closing in on 1,000 yards for the season. Irwin County has run the ball 472 times this season for 3,762 yards and 51 TDs while attempting just 43 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. 3. Johnson County is making its first quarterfinal appearance since 2006 and trying to reach its first semifinal since 2005. A victory would give Irwin County its first 10-win season since 1999 and put the Indians in the semifinals for the first time since 1997.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Irwin County by 11
Winner plays: Charlton County/Seminole County winner
Hawkinsville at Clinch County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Donald Tison Field at Panther Stadium, Homerville
Records, rankings: Hawkinsville is 8-3, the No. 6 seed and unranked; Clinch County is 8-3, the No. 3 seed and ranked No. 4.
Last meeting: Hawkinsville and Clinch County tied 14-14 in the 2004 Class A championship game.
Three things to know: 1. Hawkinsville and Clinch County are 2-2-1 against each other in a series that began in 1996, but the most memorable game was the 2004 state final that ended in a 14-14 tie. It was the first of three championship-game ties in three seasons and led the GHSA to change the rule that prevented overtime from being used in state finals. Hawkinsville had a 40-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter wiped out by a holding call. 2. Clinch County held Claxton to 52 yards of total offense in a 30-0 first-round game last week that included a fight in the fourth quarter that led to several ejections, according to the Valdosta Daily Times. James Core rushed for 106 yards and two TDs, and QB Octavius Johnson had 62 yards on 19 carries for Clinch, which attempted only one pass, a 3-yard completion. 3. Hawkinsville rushes for 280.6 yards and passes for 30.2 yards per game. Dontavious Grace is the leading rusher (135 carries, 1,066 yards, 12 touchdowns) and receiver (eight catches, 229 yards, one TD). J.D. Burden has 740 yards and seven TDs rushing on 128 carries. QB Dakota Sloan is 19-of-46 passing for 332 yards and has rushed for 433 yards.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Clinch County by 10
Winner plays: Dooly County/Marion County winner
Dooly County at Marion County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Eagle Stadium, Buena Vista
Records, rankings: Dooly County is 8-3, the No. 10 seed and unranked; Marion County is 10-1, the No. 2 seed and unranked.
Last meeting: Marion County won 27-25 in the regular season on Oct. 18.
Three things to know: 1. Marion County stopped Dooly County's two-point conversion attempt with 1:07 to play to preserve a victory in the regular-season game that essentially decided the Region 4 championship. Marion County scored what turned out to be the winning points after recovering a fumbled punt at the Dooly County 3-yard line with two minutes to play to take a 27-19 lead. 2. Chanin Hamilton rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown and QB Kereon Merrell passed for 147 yards and a TD and ran for a score in a 37-13 victory over Lincoln County last week. It was the second consecutive season in which Dooly County eliminated Lincoln, which had not lost a first-round playoff game since 1996. 3. Marion County is primarily a running team that averages 188.3 yards rushing and five pass completions per game. Johnny Royal is the leading rusher with 1,271 yards and 19 touchdowns on 236 carries. Royal had 118 yards and a TD in a 30-0 first-round victory over Turner County, and he had 91 yards and a TD on 25 carries in the first meeting with Dooly County.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Marion County by 6
Winner plays: Hawkinsville/Clinch County winner
Class A-Private
Darlington at Eagle's Landing Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Commitment Field, McDonough
Records, rankings: Darlington is 9-2, the No. 8 seed and unranked; Eagle's Landing Christian is 10-0, the No. 1 seed and ranked No. 1.
Last meeting: Eagle's Landing Christian won 17-6 in the first round of the 2008 Class A playoffs.
Three things to know: 1. ELCA QB Dalton Etheridge suffered a broken leg in last week's 41-3 victory over Athens Christian and is lost for the season. Etheridge, who has committed to Jacksonville State, had passed for more than 1,050 yards and rushed for more than 850. Etheridge was 23-0 as the starting quarterback. He willl be replaced by sophomore Jordan Long. ELCA rushed for more than 400 yards last week, with Lane Timpson getting 150 and three touchdowns. 2. Darlington rushed for 357 yards in its 41-17 victory over Christian Heritage. Trey Edge scored on a 55-yard run on Darlington's first play from scrimmage, and Logan Rice scored his fourth touchdown with 9:17 left in the third quarter, giving Darlington a 34-10 lead. 3. Darlington has made the playoffs the past seven seasons, but this is its first playoff road game since a 2008 loss to ELCA. ELCA has won 12 of its past 13 home playoff games.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Eagle's Landing Christian by 24
Winner plays: Prince Avenue Christian/Calvary Day winner
Prince Avenue Christian at Calvary Day
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, M.C. Anderson Field, Savannah
Records, rankings: Prince Avenue Christian is 10-1, the No. 5 seed and ranked No. 9; Calvary Day is 9-2, the No. 4 seed and ranked No. 8.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Michael Peterson threw for 302 yards and five touchdowns - including the game-winner with 2:15 left to TE Milan Richard - in Calvary Day's 42-35 victory over First Presbyterian in the first round. Peterson is 147-of-209 passing for 2,453 yards and 33 touchdowns on the season. Calvary Day gets most of its yards passing, but junior RB Robert Heyward has run for more than 100 yards in four of his past five games and has 987 on the season. 2. Prince Avenue Christian led its first-round game 40-0 five minutes into the second half. Zantravious Shields scored on runs of 16, 56 and 37 yards and has 781 yards rushing on the season. Prince Avenue rushes for 315.5 yards per game. 3. Calvary Day won its first home playoff game in history last week and now is seeking its first semifinal appearance. Prince Avenue has made the semis the past two seasons and was the Class A private-school runner-up in 2012. These teams have one common opponent. Calvary beat Savannah Christian 37-0. Savannah Christian beat Prince Avenue 17-9.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Prince Avenue Christian by 3
Winner plays: Darlington/Eagle's Landing Christian winner
Mount Paran Christian at Aquinas
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aquinas Stadium, Augusta
Records, rankings: Mount Paran Christian is 9-2, the No. 6 seed and unranked; Aquinas is 11-0, the No. 3 seed and ranked No. 3.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Taylor Trammell rushed for 122 yards and made a fourth-quarter interception in Mount Paran's 31-24 victory over Our Lady of Mercy in the first round. Our Lady lost a fumble inside Mount Paran's 20-yard line in the final two minutes. Mount Paran QB Jake Allen has thrown for 1,459 yards, and Emoni Williams has 1,008 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns. 2. Aquinas is better known for star RB Ruben Garnett, who has rushed for 1,751 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season, but sophomore quarterback Liam Welch threw five TD passes - three to Chris Lambert - in a 42-14 victory over Savannah Christian in the first round. Welch was 10-of-11 for 192 yards. 3. Mount Paran earned its first playoff victory in history last week while Aquinas got its second. Neither team has played in a semifinal. Aquinas is much older, opening in 1957 as the merger of two Catholic schools. Mount Paran became a high school in 1986 but didn't start varsity football until 2008.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Mount Paran Christian by 1
Winner plays: Holy Innocents'/Mount Pisgah Christian winner
Holy Innocents' at Mount Pisgah Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Savior Field, Johns Creek
Records, rankings: Holy Innocents' is 7-4, the No. 10 seed and unranked; Mount Pisgah Christian is 11-0, the No. 2 seed and ranked No. 5.
Last meeting: Holy Innocents' won 48-10 in the 2011 regular season.
Three things to know: 1. Aaron Winchester threw for five touchdowns - four to Ben Miller - in Mount Pisgah Christian's 40-7 victory over Pacelli in the first round in a game that was 40-0 at halftime. Winchester has 1,982 yards passing and 29 touchdowns with only four interceptions on the season. 2. Holy Innocents' RB Clay Pfohl rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-17 victory over Landmark Christian in the first round. RB Tre Wright's 66-yard TD run on a pitchout in the fourth quarter gave Holy Innocents' the final margin after Landmark had cut the lead to 20-17. H.I. had 301 yards rushing. 3. Mount Pisgah, which began varsity football in 2003, won its first playoff game in history last week. Holy Innocents', which started varsity football in 2006, made the Class A quarterfinals in 2009. This is the second season the Golden Bears have advanced in the playoffs. Neither school has made the semifinals.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Mount Pisgah Christian by 13
Winner plays: Mount Paran Christian/Aquinas winner
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