Well, it’s that time of year. The regular season of high school football came and went as fast as it started.
Here are five things we learned from Week 12 of high school football.
1. Jackson County really is that dominant.
So, we were all wrong. We thought that the Region 8-5A title game would be a nailbiter. The Panthers shot that theory out the door really quickly. In fact, before we could even settle in to the action, it was 22-0 in favor of the eventual region champs. For a first time region champion team, Jackson County looked, all season, like they could dominate every game they played. Now, they will take the next step into the Class 5A playoffs with an opening round matchup against Glenn Academy. After that, presumably Milton awaits. We can’t wait to see how Jackson County’s playoff push plays out.
2. Lumpkin County finds a way.
The Indians were in a must-win situation Friday night at home against Pickens. Everything went their way early, but the Dragons fought back and took the lead in the fourth quarter. Clutch as ever, the Indian offense drove down the field and scored, and then the defense shut down Pickens late to get the win, securing a fourth straight playoff berth. Lumpkin’s path to the Benz will be tough as they start on the road against perennial powerhouse Calhoun in the first round, but if Nolan Matthews gets going, and Mason Hester can get the passing game to compliment, this Indian team will be a tough out.
3. East Forsyth plays nice for Flowery Branch.
East Forsyth played spoiler in Danielsville Thursday night by sending the Red Raiders from, what seemed like, firmly in the playoffs to sitting at home watching the playoff bracket unveil without their name in it. In doing so, EaFo presented Flowery Branch with a lifeline to a home playoff game with a win over winless Cedar Shoals. The Falcons took care of business and are back in the playoffs this season. The Broncos have a long road trip to Benedictine in the opening round, while the Branch will host Ware County. If the Falcons get past their opening round opponent, the path, while not easy, is manageable.
4. East Hall has yet another heartbreaker.
You can’t make this stuff up. Earlier this year, the Vikings had the lead against North Hall with seconds remaining and lost on a last second pass into the endzone. Just a few weeks later, they find another way to lose an absolute heartbreaker. East Hall had everything they wanted in the final 16 seconds of the game that would have sent them into the Class 3A playoffs as the final team out of region 8-3A, but a bad snap on a punt gave the Bears the ball in field goal range and the rest is history. You have to feel for the Vikings and how close they seemed to be all season.
5. The playoffs are HERE…almost.
With the brackets being fully released Sunday evening, we now know what the paths are to state titles. North Hall’s draw as the No. 2 seed was definitely a good one for the Trojans. Home field advantage all the way up to the Benz, and, while LaGrange is likely the second round opponent, North Hall avoided the big hurdles in Class 3A in their quadrant. Jefferson is the No. 1 seed in 3A, while Rabun pulled a top-16 seed in Class A Division I. Gainesville’s path could include Hughes and either Jackson County or Milton, while Buford could see Douglas County and Valdosta, but won’t see Grayson until a potential showdown in Atlanta. Catch your breath, Northeast Georgia. We have a week before we get this thing started.
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