"You Play To Win The Game".... And The Trophy

 
ATLANTA, GA - Well the final week of the regular season is here. it seems as though it was just August, really it does. This is the weekend when pride and reality begin to hit.

You have teams fighting for playoff spots, seniors without a shot at the playoffs trying to win that final high school game and programs trying to close on a positive note heading into spring ball.

Then you have the programs that are just warming up, looking to fine tune those engines to ensure the expectations of a deep playoff run can be met, teams that need to refocus for a solid playoff run and a sleeper somewhere ready to make that unexpected deep run.

Georgia has had it's share of teams in the national eye this season despite it being a "down" year. Camden Co., North Gwinnett, Peach Co., Carver-Columbus and Northside-Warner Robins have all been there most of the year. Colquitt came and left but are still around, Peachtree Ridge made a small blip but are on life support now in the state and McEachern just can't convince enough people quite yet.

By some measures you have to agree that neighboring South Carolina really stepped up with Dorman, Northwestern, Byrnes, South Pointe, North Augusta, Gaffney, Clover and Greenwood all with stellar years and those playoffs will be rugged.

So this week were going to look at a few select games involving teams in the state that are solid yet not on the national level...

Reg 8-4A Clarke Central (9-0 44.4ppg) at Flowery Branch (9-0 39.4ppg); Winner is Region Champ. Clarke Central is defending Reg Champion and State Runner-up

Reg 2-A Clinch Co (9-0) at Charlton Co. (8-1);Clinch Wins they are #1 seed. If Charlton wins Wilcox (8-1) is Region Champion. Wilcox Co. is the defending state champion. Charlton was 2-time champion in 2A in recent years, this is their first year back in 1A ball in some time.

Reg 6-2A Westminster (7-2) at Buford (8-1) Both teams are sub-Region Champs. Winner is Region Champ. Buford is going for 3rd consecutive state title. Buford won 1st meeting this season 32-10.

Reg 2-5A M.L. King (6-3) at Stephenson (9-0); Winner is 2-5A champion. Is this finally the year Stephenson breaks through?

Reg 1-5A Valdosta (8-1) at Colquitt Co. (5-4); Winner is #2 seed, loser #3. Lowndes is #1 in Reg 1-5A. Colquitt has taken a loss to highly-ranked national foe South Panola (MS) and look to make a run in playoffs. Valdosta has the national tradition and is returning to form.

Should be an interesting Friday and weekend in Georgia and across the nation. Last week before win or go home but for so many that's this Friday.