Vidalia clinched the Region 2 championship last weekend and sits a win over Bryan County this Friday away from a perfect 10-0 regular season.  Benedictine would take the No. 2 seed with a win over Long County this week. Bacon County and Bryan County are 4-2 entering Week 12. Bryan County will have its hand full with Vidalia and Bacon County visits McIntosh County Academy. Bacon County owns the tiebreaker with Bryan County and will likely grab the No. 3 seed.

Region 3 is currently a log jam with Dublin finishing the season last week with a 4-2 region mark and Jefferson County, Screven County and Swainsboro each entering the final week at 4-1. Swainsboro hosts Jefferson County and Screven County hosts Metter. Screven County owns the tiebreaker over Swainsboro and Jefferson County but the Gamecocks lost to Dublin last week. The winner of the Swainsboro and Jefferson County game will take the No. 1 seed, but only if Screven County loses. A win over Metter guarantees Screven County the region title.

Region 4 is cut and dry in terms of what could happen. Bleckley County is guaranteed the No. 3 seed and Lamar County and Macon County will face off for the region championship on Friday. The loser will take the No. 2 seed. The number four seed will come from whichever team wins between Northeast Macon and Monticello.

Bowdon won the Region 5 championship and the big game will be between Heard County and Bremen for the No. 2 seed. The loser will take the No. 3 seed and Chattahoochee County has already clinched the No. 4 seed.

GAC topped Lovett last Friday night for the No. 1 seed out of Region 6. The Lions take home the No. 2 seed and Wesleyan grabbed the No. 3 seed. Pace Academy hosts B.E.S.T. Academy on Friday in a battle for the final playoff slot out of Region 6.

Darlington took home the Region 7 title last Friday with a win over Coosa. Coosa will be the No. 2 seed even with a loss because of its 7-0 win over Model last month. Chattooga sits behind Model as the No. 4 seed.

In Region 8, there is still a possible three-way tie scenario. Rabun County (5-0), Greene County (4-1) and Union County (4-1) are all in the hunt for a share of the region title. Rabun County faces Greene County. If Greene County beats Rabun County and Union County tops Washington-Wilkes, that would put all three teams at 5-1 in region play. Washington-Wilkes will be the No. 4 seed regardless of the results with a 3-2 region mark entering Friday. 

Three of the seven No. 1 teams heading into the state playoffs took care of business and triumphed in their respective classifications. In Class AAAA, Buford captured its eighth consecutive state championship. Greenbrier was pushed to a deciding game by

Photo by Jennifer Stravo

Cambridge in Class AAAAA before getting the job done. In Class A-Public, Georgia Military powered its way to the title while winning all of its tournament games by at least nine runs.

Like Buford, Calhoun also made a jump in classification but managed to go back-to-back with a victory in Class AAA after having prevailed in Class AA last year. Pope, which began the season unranked in Class AAAAAA and went into the postseason at No. 6, took home the winner's trophy from Columbus. The Greyhounds ousted defending champion Collins Hill in the second playoff round, shut out previously top-ranked Lassiter in the tournament, then got the best of Hillgrove to win it all.

Heard County-previously No. 3 in Class AA-and Eagle's Landing, ranked second in Class A-Private prior to the postseason, also won state championships.   

 SEE LEFT PANEL FOR RANKINGS

Senior Savanna Gonzales is this week's Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Girls Athlete of the Week. The Georgia Regents University commit holds North Cobb's all-time serving record in a single

Photo by Becky Gonzales

season at 97.29%. She has 1,248 career kills, second in North Cobb history and 587 career digs. The outside hitter closed out the fifth set on Saturday with three straight kills to give the Lady Warriors their first-ever state title.

"I was happier than I can put into words that Savanna was able to shine on the biggest stage for our sport and seal the championship for our program and school by winning 3 of the last 4 points against North [Gwinnett]," says North Cobb head coach James Auld. "After often being shadowed by other big outside hitters around the state, it was extremely satisfying to see her get the great credit she has always richly deserved."

Apart from North Cobb's volleyball program, Savanna has played for the best clubs and teams in the state, seeking out skilled volleyball coaches to help her improve her skills. Her drive and self-improvement allowed her to further contribute to the success of her team this season.

"Savanna is completely dedicated and extremely hard-working in all aspects of her life.  She sets goals for herself-in the classroom, with her hobbies, and on the court and pursues them with relentless drive," explained Coach Auld. "This pursuit of excellence will always prove the essential element to her success." 

Auld's favorite moment of coaching Savanna was during the matches against Walton and North Gwinnett during their tournament run.  "Truly excellent athletes shine the brightest in big matches when the season is on the line.  Good athletes tend to shrink in those moments," said Auld. "The look of absolute joy in our team success in those big wins was evident in every part of Savanna."  

The Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award honors volunteers in Georgia (ages 13 and over) who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. Each month during the 2014 season, September through December, an Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback of the Month winner will be selected. Each winner will receive a $1,000 grant from the NFL Foundation to support the organization served.  Additionally, on Monday, December 15, each of the Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award winners will be recognized at the annual Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Dinner and the 2014 Community Quarterback Award Winner of the Year will be announced.  

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce Ryan Barnard as the Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award Winner for November for his volunteer work at Kate's Club.

Ryan became a member of Kate's Club at the age of 13 after suddenly losing his father. Through the organization and its programs, Ryan was provided an outlet not only to discuss the loss of his father but find solace in other members' stories.  Ryan became a "Buddy" volunteer at Kate's Club clubhouse when he turned 18 and for the last three years has provided support to other grieving children and teens.

Kate's Club is a volunteer led organization that focuses on providing grief support and therapeutic activities through social and recreational therapies to empower children facing life after the death of a parent or sibling.. Kate's Club also provides an annual grief camp, empowering children and teens to share their grief story while having fun and playing in a camp environment.