McClellan: Making the picks for the playoff games

As the fall chill settles over Rome and Dalton, the excitement builds for the upcoming Georgia High School Association (GHSA) football playoffs. This year, several Northwest Georgia teams are set to face off in the first round, with Darlington, Model, Pepperell, and Unity Christian all vying for a chance to advance. While Armuchee, Coosa, and Rome saw their seasons end before the postseason began, the playoff atmosphere promises to be electric across the region. For many in Northwest Georgia, high school football isn't just a sport; it's a deeply ingrained tradition, a source of community pride and a significant part of the local identity.

A Season of Ups and Downs: Defining the Playoff Landscape

The GHSA playoffs represent the culmination of a long and demanding regular season. For teams like Model, Pepperell, and Darlington, navigating a competitive Region 6-2A schedule has been a test of resilience and determination. These teams, along with Unity Christian in the GAPPS ranks, have faced a mix of triumphs and setbacks, ultimately earning their place in the postseason bracket. The elimination of Armuchee, Coosa, and Rome underscores the intensity of high school football in Northwest Georgia, where every game carries significant weight. The competitive balance within Region 6-2A, a region known for its parity and challenging matchups, has made this season particularly compelling. For Rome, a program with a storied history of success, this early exit marks a significant shift in the regional landscape.

Playoff Matchups and Series History

The first round of GHSA playoffs will take place Friday night. Model (8-2) will face Mt. Zion-Carroll (4-6), a team they previously defeated 42-0 on October 2nd. Model leads the series 1-0. Pepperell (5-5) is set to play Putnam County (7-3), a matchup with no prior history. Unity Christian (9-0) will host New Creation Christian (9-2), continuing their dominant 8-3 series lead after defeating them 38-0 on August 28, 2020. Darlington (5-5) takes on Mt. Bethel Christian (6-4) in a first-time matchup. The lack of a prior history between Pepperell and Putnam County adds an element of unpredictability to their contest.

Model is favored to win by 19 points, while Putnam County is expected to win by just 1 point, reflecting the perceived competitiveness of that matchup. Darlington is predicted to win by 26 points, and Unity Christian is expected to dominate New Creation Christian by more than 30 points. These predictions, along with others across the state, can be found on the Northwest Georgia News website. It’s worth noting that these predictions are just that – predictions – and the unpredictable nature of playoff football often leads to unexpected outcomes and thrilling upsets.

Understanding the Significance of Region Standings

The playoff seeds are determined by a team's record within their respective region. Region 6-2A, where Model, Pepperell, Darlington and Mt. Zion all compete, has a reputation for being highly competitive. Finishing high in the region standings is crucial, as it dictates the home-field advantage and seeding for the playoffs. For example, Model's third-place finish earned them a home game in the first round, a valuable advantage in front of their supportive fan base. Conversely, a lower seed means traveling to an opponent's home field, which can be a significant challenge. The competitive nature of Region 6-2A, and the varying outcomes for teams like Armuchee and Rome, underscore the challenges of navigating such a demanding league. The region’s reputation for tough competition attracts talented players and coaches, making every game a battle for positioning and playoff berths.

Team Backgrounds and Regional Standings

Model finished third in Region 6-2A with an 8-2 record and holds the No. 10 seed. They look to continue their winning tradition, having previously secured state championships in Class B in 1953 and 1954, and in Class AA in 1979. Pepperell finished fourth in Region 6-2A with a 5-5 record and earned the No. 18 seed. Putnam County finished fifth in Region 4-2A with a 7-3 record and is the No. 14 seed. Darlington finished fifth in Region 6-2A, securing the No. 17 seed, while Mt. Bethel Christian finished fourth in Region 9-2A as the No. 16 seed.

Unity Christian, boasting a perfect 9-0 record, earned a first-round bye as the top team in Region 1-AA. New Creation Christian finished third in Region 2-AA and secured a playoff berth after defeating Young Americans Christian 26-18 Saturday. The Unity Christian Lions are seeking their second consecutive GAPPS Class AA championship, demonstrating their continued dominance in the league. The school’s success is a source of immense pride for the entire community, reflecting the dedication of its players, coaches, and staff. The school's consistent excellence also serves as a beacon for other private schools in the region.

The Unique Landscape of GAPPS Football

It's important to note that Unity Christian competes in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS), a separate athletic association from the GHSA. GAPPS includes private and independent schools across Georgia, often with smaller enrollments than their public school counterparts. The GAPPS playoffs have their own unique structure and championship format, reflecting the diverse athletic landscape of private education in the state. Winning a GAPPS championship is a significant accomplishment for these schools, demonstrating excellence in a competitive environment. The contrasting structures and competitive dynamics of GHSA and GAPPS underscore the complexities of high school athletics in Georgia. The smaller school sizes within GAPPS often mean a tighter-knit community and a greater emphasis on character development alongside athletic achievement.

Community Reaction and Local Support

The anticipation for the playoffs has residents buzzing with excitement across Northwest Georgia. Parents and fans are eagerly awaiting the matchups, hoping their favorite teams will come out on top. The community is particularly invested in Model and Unity Christian, both of which have a rich history in local sports. The support for these teams extends beyond the immediate school community, representing a broader sense of regional pride. The strong community support for high school football in Northwest Georgia is a testament to the sport’s enduring appeal and its role in fostering local identity.

The Economic Impact of Playoff Football

The impact of playoff football extends beyond the field. Local businesses often see a surge in activity during the playoffs, as fans gather to watch games and celebrate victories. Restaurants, sports bars, and retail stores all benefit from the increased foot traffic and spending. The economic ripple effect of playoff football contributes to the overall vitality of the Northwest Georgia economy. This boost in local business provides a welcome lift for many establishments, particularly after the challenges of recent years. The increased revenue allows these businesses to support local initiatives and contribute to the community’s well-being.

School Spirit and Community Building

Playoff football serves as a unifying force, bringing together students, parents, teachers, and alumni in a shared experience. School spirit is at its peak during this time, with students wearing team colors and participating in pep rallies. The playoffs foster a sense of community pride and camaraderie, strengthening the bonds between the school and the surrounding area. The shared experience of supporting local teams creates lasting memories and strengthens the fabric of the community.

Predictions Across Georgia Classifications

Beyond the local matchups, predictions for GHSA playoff games span all classifications. In Class 7A, Valdosta is favored over West Forsyth, Buford over Marietta, North Cobb over Archer, Lowndes over South Forsyth, Grayson over Camden County, North Paulding over Richmond Hill, Brookwood over Norcross, Carrollton over North Forsyth, Parkview over South Gwinnett, Westlake over Walton, North Gwinnett over North Atlanta, Colquitt County over Lambert, McEachern over Harrison, Hillgrove over Peachtree Ridge and Newton over Collins Hill. Class 6A sees Thomas County Central over Veterans, Roswell over Effingham County, Clarke Central over South Effingham, Creekside over Shiloh, East Paulding over Loganville, Bradwell Institute over Dunwoody, Newnan over Habersham Central, Coffee over Tift County, Jackson County over Creekview, Gainesville over Lassiter, New Manchester over Heritage-Conyers, Milton over Northside-Columbus, Sequoyah over Walnut Grove, Langston Hughes over Woodward Academy and Houston County over Kell. Class 5A features Blessed Trinity over M.L. King, Jones County over Lithonia, Marist over Cambridge, Mays over Centennial, Tucker over Southwest DeKalb, LaGrange over Ola, Ware County over Cedartown, Dalton over Griffin, North Oconee over Dutchtown, Richmond Academy over Statesboro, Benedictine over Whitewater, Jefferson over Warner Robins, Cass over Villa Rica, Central-Carroll over Jonesboro, Stockbridge over Flowery Branch and Cartersville over Perry. Class 4A: Peach County over East Jackson, West Laurens over Westover, Douglass-Atlanta over Spalding, Baldwin over Harlem, Cairo over Bainbridge, Oconee County over Northwest Whitfield, North Hall over Adairsville, Sandy Creek over Heritage-Catoosa, Monroe Area over Shaw, Mary Persons over North Clayton, Hampton over Woodland-Stockbridge, Dougherty over Gilmer, Stephenson over New Hampstead, Calhoun over Howard and Spencer over White County. Class 3A: Appling County over Jackson, Worth County over Lamar County, Hapeville over Miller Grove, Pierce County over Westside-Augusta, Columbia over Beach, Lumpkin County over LaFayette, Callaway over Elbert County, Rockmart over Washington County, Hart County over Murray County, Stephens County over Crisp County, Northeast over Thomson, Ringgold over North Murray, KIPP Atlanta Charter over Haralson County, Hephzibah over Pike County, Carver-Columbus over Burke County and Toombs County over Temple. Class 2A: Heard County over Bacon County, Cook over Fannin County, Fitzgerald over Rabun County, Social Circle over Dade County, Jeff Davis over East Laurens, Brooks County over Laney, Swainsboro over Screven County, Dublin over Vidalia, Bleckley County over Jefferson County, Putnam County over Pepperell, Jasper County over ACE Charter, Bremen over Washington, Commerce over Gordon Lee, Dodge County over Berrien and Thomasville over Utopian Academy. Class 1A: Lincoln County over Irwin County, Wheeler County over Treutlen, Mitchell County over Miller County, Trion over BEST Academy, Bowdon over Manchester, Charlton County over Lake Oconee Academy, Schley County over Hawkinsville, Randolph-Clay over Telfair County, Taylor County over Seminole County, Warren County over Jenkins County, Emanuel County Institute over Montgomery County, Early County over Macon County, Clinch County over McIntosh County Academy and Johnson County over Greene County. Class 4A-2A Private: Darlington over Mt. Bethel Christian, Calvary Day over Westminster, Greater Atlanta Christian over Mt. Paran Christian, Savannah Christian over Providence Christian, Trinity Christian over North Cobb Christian, Athens Academy over Kings Ridge Christian, Christian Heritage over Pace Academy, Wesleyan over Walker, Fellowship Christian over Landmark Christian, Whitefield Academy over Mount Paran Christian and Hebron Christian over Eagle’s Landing Christian.

Teams with first round byes: Prince Avenue Christian, Mount Vernon, Lovett, Aquinas and Holy Innocents’.

What's Next: The Road Ahead

The first round of the playoffs marks the beginning of a new chapter for these teams. The winners will advance to the next round, facing off against other victorious teams in pursuit of a state championship. The loser’s season ends and preparations begin for next year. The playoff bracket is structured to progressively eliminate teams, culminating in the state championship games. The intensity of competition will only increase as teams progress through the bracket. The mental and physical fortitude of the players will be tested as they navigate the pressure and challenges of playoff competition.

The Legacy of Past Champions

The tradition of football excellence in Northwest Georgia runs deep. Model's past championships in the 1950s and 70s represent a golden era for the program, instilling a sense of pride and expectation within the community. Pepperell's 1990 Class AA title remains a cherished memory for alumni and fans. Darlington’s 1998 Class A championship showcased the school’s ability to compete at the highest level. These victories serve as inspiration for current players and coaches, reminding them of the potential for greatness. The continued pursuit of championships reflects the enduring passion for football in the region. These historical successes provide a foundation for future generations of athletes and contribute to the rich tapestry of Northwest Georgia’s sporting heritage.

CURRENT ARTICLE

The GHSA first round state playoff games will be played on Friday, November 12, 2021.

For more information and schedules, visit