Are you ready for the playoffs?

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

Playoffs.

There may be no sweeter word to a football fan and they have finally arrived.

This may be the first time in the history of the area that so many of our teams have sent representatives from their respective regions to the state playoffs.

The new 4-AAAAA region has two undefeated teams, East Coweta and Starr's Mill, hosting games tonight, while Sandy Creek, a playoff team in 4-AAAA, is hosting a playoff game for the first time in their school history.

Northgate is the top seed in 5-AA and will host a game tonight and Landmark Christian is the fourth seed in 5-A and is the only local team traveling this week.

East Coweta (10-0) will host Bradwell Institute (7-3) tonight. The Indians have been very balanced this season and have a super defense and explosive offense. Bradwell Institute is no pushover though. They have only allowed 89 points this season. They only allowed double digit points in their three losses.

Starr's Mill (10-0) will face Wayne County (6-4) at Tiger Stadium in Fayetteville tonight. The Panthers have an incredible ground attack, with several key backs including Jason Laney and Reuben Houston, and a very stingy defense that has contributed heavily to the Panthers undefeated season. Wayne County is also capable of putting up points and will not be an easy opponent for Starr's Mill.

Sandy Creek (8-2) faces a Thomson team that has scored 108 points over the last two weeks. Thomson (7-3) has recorded three shutouts this season, as have the Patriots, and will match up very well with Sandy Creek. The Patriots have a strong offense with several threats on the ground and a defense that plays intense, hardnose ball and has only allowed 85 points all season.

Northgate (9-1) will host Darlington (7-3) tonight. The Vikings have an incredible offense that features Marlon Cruver, Kenny Strozier, Dominique Partridge and Mitch Stewart. If they get going, many teams will be hard pressed to stop them. Darlington defeated Rockmart earlier this week in a mini game to take the fourth seed and qualify for the playoffs.

Landmark Christian (1-9) has known they would make the playoffs since before the season started but they have continued to work and improve as the season wore on. They will travel to take on Trion (6-4) tonight. The War Eagles would love to make the second round of the playoffs, but to do that requires playing mistake free football and capitalizing on any mistakes made by the Bulldogs.

No matter how these games turn out, all of these teams have played hard all season and have excellent shots to go deeper in the playoffs. Whichever game you choose to watch, be sure to bundle up and enjoy.

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