Round 3 of high school football playoffs begins. Which Middle GA teams are still alive?
Only a handful of Middle Georgia teams remain heading into the third round of high school football playoffs, but the schools that are left won in stellar fashion last Friday to advance.
Here’s a recap of Friday’s second-round action and a look at which teams remain for the Black Friday slate of Round 3 games.
Class 5A
After Houston County lost to Woodward Academy to close the book on Middle Georgia’s 6A teams, the 5A region is now the highest class to still feature a local team. The Warner Robins Demons lead the pack, as they advanced to the next round thanks to a thrilling last-second field goal that beat Ware County.
The win gave Warner Robins revenge for losing to the Gators in the state title last season. Now the Demons face Creekside at home for round three, a matchup that should be exciting considering last year’s playoff showdown between the two ended in an overtime win for Warner Robins.
4A
Perry continued a solid stretch of games to end their season with a slow but steady 7-3 win over Bainbridge. The win moved the Panthers to 10-2 and into the third round, where they’ll go on the road for the second straight game and face Stephenson.
The two playoff victories come after an unsure beginning to the postseason with quarterback Colter Ginn injured, but Perry looks ready to contend.
3A
Close games have been the theme in the playoffs this year for Middle Georgia’s 3A teams. Upson-Lee won their first round matchup 46-45, then lost last week to Carver-Columbus by a score of 8-7. Peach County lost their opening round game 48-46 deep in overtime.
There’s been one notable exception to the rule — the Mary Persons Bulldogs. The Forsyth squad has been strong in the playoffs so far, winning their first two contests by a combined four touchdown margin. Now they’ll face a challenge and take on Cedar Grove at home.
1A-Division II
Macon County and Telfair County will face each other in an intriguing local quarterfinal matchup after both teams won close games in the second round. The 9-2 Trojans will host the game in McRae. Schley County also earned a third-round berth after beating Lincoln County 49-23 last week.
1A-Division I
While Bleckley County and Dublin got the upper hand during the regular season in one of Middle Georgia’s more competitive regions, the Swainsboro Tigers lasted longest in the playoffs after the Royals and Fighting Irish both fell in the second round Friday.
Now the Tigers, coming off an 18-6 win over Lamar County, draw a tough matchup against the Elbert County Blue Devils.
GIAA
The biggest story of the private school playoffs so far has been Tattnall’s impressive road win against undefeated Bethlehem Christian. The Trojan victory sets up a local showdown back in Macon against the resurgent FPD Vikings for a spot in the GIAA 4A championship. FPD came on late in the year to win the region title and earn the top seed.
John Milledge also continued their winning ways in GIAA’s 3A playoffs and will look to extend their nation-leading win streak Pinewood Christian.
Game times
No. 6 Warner Robins v.s. No. 2 Creekside, 7:30 p.m.
No. 6 Perry @ No. 10 Stephenson, 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 Mary Persons v.s. No. 2 Cedar Grove, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Macon County @ No. 9 Telfair County, 7:30 p.m.
No. 1 Schley County @ Early County, 7 p.m.
No. 10 Swainsboro @ No. 6 Elbert County, 7 p.m.
Tattnall @ FPD, 7:30 p.m.
Pinewood Christian @ John Milledge, 7:30 p.m.
All rankings for GHSA schools from GPB.com.
