Hawkinsville visits Schley County in 41NBC’s Game of the Week as GHSA playoffs begin
Hawkinsville visits Schley County in the Game of the Week as GHSA teams begin postseason play and GIAA teams compete for championship berths.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The GHSA football playoffs begin this weekend while several GIAA teams continue their postseason runs. 41NBC’s The End Zone on Friday features a seven-game playoff lineup for Week 14.
41NBC sports anchor Rob Schiff and 41NBC Chief Meteorologist Aaron Lowery will report live from Ellaville during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 Friday ahead of the Game of the Week between Hawkinsville and Schley County.
Following 41NBC News at 11, Rob will report the Game of the Week highlights from Ellaville. Tucker Sargent will have highlights from Pacelli at Stratford in the studio, and Bill Shanks will bring viewers highlights from the rest of the featured games.
The show will also feature the Linemen of the Week, Band of the Week and scores from playoff games involving teams across Middle Georgia.
Game of the Week: Hawkinsville at Schley County
Hawkinsville enters the first round of the GHSA Class A playoffs as the #20 seed with a 5-5 record. The Red Devils average 19.9 points per game and allow 21.
Schley County enters as the #13 seed after finishing the regular season 8-2, including a 27-19 win over Hawkinsville in the teams’ regular season meeting on September 4. The Wildcats average 38.1 points per game and allow 16.8.
The winner will play Telfair County or Randolph-Clay in the second round.
St. Anne-Pacelli at Stratford
St. Anne-Pacelli enters Friday’s GIAA Class AAAA semifinal with a 7-4 record after beating FPD 28-14 in the opening round last week.
Defending state champion Stratford is 9-2 after beating George Walton Academy 42-10. The Eagles average 39.5 points per game and allow 12.1.
Stratford won the teams’ regular-season meeting 46-14 on August 21. The winner will play Bulloch Academy or Brookstone in the state championship game in Statesboro on Saturday, November 21.
Early County at Macon County
Macon County begins the GHSA Class A playoffs with a 9-1 record. The Bulldogs, the #7 seed, average 39.6 points per game and allow 10.7.
Early County, the #26 seed, enters at 4-6 after losing to Crisp County last week. The Bobcats have won both previous meetings with Macon County, but the programs haven’t played since 2002.
The winner will play Portal or Glascock County.
Lithonia at Jones County
Jones County enters the Class 5A playoffs with a 6-4 record after winning the Region 2-5A championship. The Greyhounds, the #16 seed, average 33.4 points per game.
Lithonia, the #17 seed, enters at 6-4 after winning five consecutive games. Friday’s game will be the first meeting between the programs.
The winner will play Martin Luther King Jr. or Blessed Trinity.
Thomson at Northeast
Northeast enters the Class 3A playoffs with an 8-2 record and a No. 9 ranking in the Atlanta Journal Constitution poll.
The Raiders, the #11 seed, average 40.9 points per game and allow 13.3. They are coming off a 28-24 loss to Callaway in the region championship game.
Thomson, the #22 seed, enters at 5-5 and averages 30.3 points per game. Friday’s matchup will be the first meeting between the Bulldogs and Raiders and the Raiders’ first ever trip to Macon.
The winner will play Ringgold or North Murray.
Athens Christian at Westfield
Westfield enters the GIAA Class AAA semifinals with an 8-3 record after beating Terrell Academy 35-7 in the opening round.
Athens Christian is also 8-3 following a 45-6 win over Deerfield-Windsor.
Westfield has won all four previous meetings, but the programs haven’t played since 1999. The winner will play John Milledge Academy or Tiftarea Academy for the state championship in Statesboro on Friday, November 20.
Tiftarea at John Milledge
John Milledge enters the GIAA Class AAA semifinals at 11-0 after shutting out Lakeview Academy 42-0.
The Trojans average 39.6 points per game and allow 9.1. They have held eight of their 11 opponents to 10 points or fewer.
Tiftarea enters at 6-5 after defeating Frederica Academy 35-13. John Milledge won the teams’ season opener 38-0 on August 21.
The winner will play Athens Christian or Westfield for the state championship on Friday, November 20.
More Middle Georgia teams (*) starting GHSA playoffs Friday
6A:
Veterans* at Thomas County Central
Houston County* at Kell
Northside* at Lee County
5A:
Warner Robins* at Jefferson
Perry* at Cartersville
3A:
Washington County* at Rockmart
2A:
East Laurens* at Jeff Davis
Vidalia at Dublin*
Jefferson County at Bleckley County*
ACE* at Jasper County
Dodge County* at Berrien
A:
Treutlen* at Wheeler County*
Telfair County* at Randolph-Clay
Seminole County at Taylor County*
Greene County at Johnson County*
GHSA Class 4A games moved to Saturday
The GHSA announced this week that Class 4A games will be played on Saturday due to a shortage of playoff-qualified officials.
4A:
East Jackson at Peach County* – 2 p.m.
Harlem at Baldwin* – 4 p.m.
Howard* at Calhoun – 6 p.m.
Westover at West Laurens* – 7 p.m.
North Clayton at Mary Persons* – 7:30 p.m.
