R1 T2 Pierce County at R3 T1 Washington County

 Undefeated Washington County has blown out all 12 opponents by at least 20 points this season. The Golden Hawks are paced by an offense that produces 52.3 points per game and a defense that allows just 10.7 points per game. Player of the Year candidate A.J. Gray

Photo by Perry McIntyre

quarterbacks Washington County and he led the Hawks to a 31-7 victory last Friday, despite his least productive game of the season. Gray was held below 100 yards both rushing and passing for the first time all season and fumbled twice in the red zone. Despite the miscues, Gray still scored on a pair of rushing touchdowns in the second half. Pierce County likes to run the football and the Bears will need to keep the football on the ground to keep the clock moving and limit the possessions the potent Washington County offense will see. Pierce County has allowed 14.3 points per game defensively, while scoring just under 37 points per game. The last time these schools faced was during the first round of the 1994 playoffs. Washington County, led by All-Classification Player of the Year Takeo Spikes, went on to win 28-3 and used the victory to propel a playoff run that took the 15-0 Golden Hawks to their first-ever state title.

R4 T1 Blessed Trinity at R8 T1 Jefferson

 Undefeated Blessed Trinity at undefeated Jefferson sets up one of the top matchups in any classification. Jefferson cruised in its first season in Class AAA and opened the playoffs with commanding victories over Franklin County (38-7) and Dodge County (27-7). The Dragons are giving up just 8.75 points per game this season and have won every game by double-digits besides their 21-14 victory over Hart County in the Region 8 championship. Like Jefferson, Blessed Trinity's only victory that was not by double-digit points came in a 28-21 win over Cedar Grove in the Region 4 championship. Conor Davis is a championship-caliber quarterback that leads the Titans but in order for Blessed Trinity to make it all the way to the Dome, the team will have to prove it has the speed to matchup with the elite remaining field in Class AAA. This will be the first time these schools have ever faced.

 R8 T3 Elbert County at R6 T1 Calhoun

 Calhoun has won its last 54 home games and has not lost a playoff game at home since 2007. The Yellow Jackets faced a big and athletically-gifted Cedar Grove team last round and pulled off a commanding 38-18 victory. Elbert County rides a six-game winning streak into its visit to Phil Reeve Stadium with a red-hot offense that has sparked the recent success. Elbert County topped Appling County 54-3 last Friday and has scored 43.8 points per game over the last six weeks.  Calhoun quarterback Kaelan Riley is a 6-foot-3, dual threat that has poise and athleticism to spark big plays.

 R4 T3 Westminster at R8 T2 Hart County

Westminster and Hart County's last meeting was a 6-3 Wildcat victory in the first round of the 1996 playoffs. Eighteen

Hart County Football

seasons later and Gerry Romberg is still at the helm and looks to lead Westminster to its first 12-win season since 1978. Hart County's only loss was its 21-14 defeat to Jefferson in the Region 8 title game and the Bulldogs held off a dangerous Cook team 7-0 last Friday. Hart County made it to the quarterfinals four years in a row from 1998-01 but have only made it back twice since and still searches its first state title. Cameron Fouch quarterbacks a balanced Hart County offense that has seen nine different receivers haul in touchdowns this season. Junior Anthony Turner is a 6-foot-4 wide receiver that leads the way with seven receiving touchdowns. 

 Brooks County makes its third straight

Heard County Football

quarterfinal appearance after a tight 21-14 victory over Washington Wilkes. The Trojans currently ride a four-game winning streak that has seen the defense hold opponents to an average of 14 points per game during that span. For Heard County, it comes off of a huge win last Friday against top-seeded Screven County that saw the Braves hold the holding a strong Gamecocks offense to a season-low six points.

R6 T2 Lovett at R2 T2 Benedictine

 Benedictine received a tremendous performance from sophomore John Kennedy as he ran over Rabun County for 234 yards and two touchdowns in its 42-9 victory last Friday. The Cadets have outscored opponents in the playoffs by a margin of 77-9. No. 3 Lovett advanced to the quarterfinals following a convincing 42-7 win over No. 7 Macon County. The Lions have Jay Harris and Lee Candler lead a rushing attack that averages 218 yards per game.

R2 T1 Vidalia at R6 T1 GAC

 It is the battle of the unbeatens as No. 2 Vidalia visits No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian in a matchup that sees both offenses average over 44 points per contest through each of its first two playoff games. The Spartans fought back from 20-14 deficit to force four turnovers and score 34 unanswered points to win its school-record 12th game of the season. Nate McBride led the charge in Vidalia's dominant win over Coosa, rushing for 123 yards and two scores.

R6 T4 Pace Academy at R1 T1 Fitzgerald

 Pace Academy is looking to be the first No. 4

Photo by South GA Sports Network

seed to make it to the Final Four in the AA state championship since Lovett accomplished the feat in 2010. The Knights are making their first quarterfinal appearance following a thrilling 57-50 victory over Jefferson County during the second round. Gerald Morgan rushed for a game-high 204 yards and a touchdown while J.D. King ran 166 yards and four scores in Fitzgerald's 48-14 win over Model.