Friday’s playoff capsules

Stratford (11-1) at Tattnall Square (10-2)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: Tattnall leads 24-19.

Last meeting: Oct. 28, Tattnall won 27-7.

Stratford in the playoffs: Beat Bulloch Academy 42-7; beat Deerfield-Windsor 33-20.

Tattnall in the playoffs: Beat Bethesda Day 44-14; beat Westfield 24-6.

Key Eagles: RB Austin Simmons, Jr.; OL Charlie Grossnickle, Sr.; LB R.C. Brown, Sr.

Key Trojans: QB John Rader, Sr.; OL Jeremy Nable, Sr.; LB Tyler Ward, Sr.

Scouting report: Every time Stratford and Tattnall take the field, the stadium is packed with fans geared up to see one of the best rivalries in Middle Georgia. Now, that sensation will be multiplied with the schools meeting in the GISA Class AAA championship for the fourth time. Stratford has won the two most recent instances. Tattnall rolled in the first meeting between the teams this year. The Trojans dominated the line of scrimmage, and Rader, Andrew Layson and Clay Humphries had plenty of running room. The Stratford defense should be motivated to play much better this time around. Simmons and Ken Spears were slowed down during the last meeting as well, but the two have combined to rush for 2,864 yards and 37 touchdowns this season, so the two will also be motivated to atone for the struggles of the rushing attack the last time around. This is the first time two Macon GISA have played for the title since Stratford beat FPD in overtime in the 2004 championship game.

Peach County (11-1) at Carrollton (11-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: First meeting.

Peach County in the playoffs: Beat Worth County 36-7; beat Ridgeland 35-14.

Carrollton in the playoffs: Beat Columbia 28-0; beat Stockbridge 35-10.

Key Peach County Trojans: WR Demarcus Robinson, Jr.; QB Kentel Kendrick, Sr.; LB Cassuas Hall, Sr.

Key Carrollton Trojans: DB Jonathan Jones, Sr.; TE Zach Gordon, Sr.; DL Tevin McCoy, Sr.

Scouting report: Carrollton has been unstoppable since losing its season opener to Oxford (Ala.). Since then, one team has forced the Trojans to sweat -- Troup in a 10-9 loss to Carrollton. Only Oxford has scored more than 14 points, and only two other teams have scored in double digits against the Carrollton defense. Carrollton boasts one of the top corners in the state in Jones, who has committed to Auburn. He and Robinson should have a matchup to watch. McCoy was an all-state player a year ago, and he leads the standout defensive front. Carrollton spreads the ball around on offense, and it gives defenses a number of different play calls and looks.

Tri-Cities (10-2) at Northside (12-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: First meeting.

Tri-Cities in the playoffs: Beat Alcovy 51-28; beat Pope 35-0.

Northside in the playoffs: Beat Glynn Academy 42-16; beat Clarke Central 48-14.

Key Bulldogs: OL Shamire DeVine, Jr.; OL Jeremi Hall, Jr.; DT Marcus Adams, Jr.

Key Eagles: RB Marte Polk, Sr.; WR Keshun Hill, Jr.; DL Anfirnee Chatfield, Jr.

Scouting report: Northside might face its largest test so far from Tri-Cities. The Bulldogs have three massive offensive linemen: DeVine (6-foot-7, 332), Hall (6-4, 335) and Adams (6-0, 270). That size and strength has pushed the Bulldogs to a surprising spot in the quarterfinals. Tri-Cities had never won a playoff game or more than eight games before this season. The Eagles have to keep their eyes focused on Tri-Cities instead of looking ahead toward a potential showdown with top-ranked Tucker next week.

Warner Robins (10-2) at East Paulding (11-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: First meeting.

Warner Robins in the playoffs: Beat Lakeside-Evans 42-31; beat Chattahoochee 20-6.

East Paulding in the playoffs: Beat Southwest DeKalb 10-6; beat Northgate 27-21.

Key Demons: LB Donkor Tayor, Sr.; LB Michael Lee, Sr.; RB Brian Sutton, Sr.

Key Raiders: RB Kamani Thomas, Jr.; DT Ladarius Banks, Sr.; QB Mitchell Webb, Soph.

Scouting report: Warner Robins head coach Bryan Way tried to find some of East Paulding’s weaknesses on film this week. He said he failed. The Raiders can be pretty diverse on offense, although Way said they run the bacll 75 percent of the time. Webb, however, has 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Andre Suttles, a large, physical receiver has 61 percent of the Raiders’ receiving yards, and he has come up huge in the Raiders’ wins over Kell and Northgate. After a high-scoring game against Lakeside, the Demons’ defense reverted back to dominance in a 20-6 win over Chattahoochee in the second round.

Calhoun (12-0) at Dublin (11-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: Calhoun leads 1-0.

Last meeting: 2004, Calhoun won 48-37.

Calhoun in the playoffs: Beat Jefferson 39-6; beat Brooks County 43-30.

Dublin in the playoffs: Beat Northeast 56-7; beat Westminster 44-20.

Key Yellow Jackets: LB Alex Kirby; QB Taylor Lamb; RB Darius Washington

Key Irish: RB/LB Maurice Martin, Sr.; RB Cedric O’Neal, Sr.; OL Ben East, Sr.

Scouting report: The Irish will face a monumental test from the Yellow Jackets, who have finished runner-up to Buford in Class AA the past three years. This Calhoun team is pretty similar to ones in the past. The Yellow Jackets are explosive on offense, and they are comfortable running as well as throwing. But Dublin head coach Roger Holmes said the Yellow Jackets truly excel on defense. Calhoun has allowed 10 points or less seven times, and the defense shut down Brooks County last week before the second stringers gave up a load of points.

Appling County (11-1) at Lamar County (12-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: First meeting.

Appling County in the playoffs: Beat Thomasville 28-18; beat North Oconee 26-13.

Lamar County in the playoffs: Beat Bleckley County 35-14; beat Blessed Trinity 28-14.

Key Pirates: QB LaShune Moore; DT C.J. Nails; WR Byron Buxton

Key Trojans: QB Maurice Bloodser, Sr.; DT Frederick Walker, Sr.; RB Tevin Childs, Sr.

Scouting report: Lamar County continues to plug away and win games. The Trojans will probably face one of their toughest physical tests from the South Georgia school. Appling County has little problems throwing the ball around. Moore passed for 232 yards and three touchdowns in the win over North Oconee. Lamar County, however, declines to go to the air very often. Bloodser leads the Trojans’ sharp wing-T attack. Between four and seven guys share carries, so it’s a safe bet that the Trojans have one of the more fresher backfields in the state.

Fitzgerald (11-1) at Carver-Columbus (11-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: First meeting

Fitzgerald in the playoffs: Beat MCA 41-14; beat Adairsville 46-14.

Carver in the playoffs: Beat Lovett 38-7; beat Laney 31-6.

Key Purple Hurricane: QB Kaleb Nobles, Sr.; RB Tolerance Shepherd, Sr.; LB Scottie Griffin, Sr.

Key Tigers: RB Marquez Holloway; QB Torrance McGee; DB Deion Bonner.

Scouting report: Both Carver and Fitzgerald have been mainstays in the top 10 all season, so there shouldn’t be many people surprised that they’ve both made it to the quarterfinals. The Purple Hurricane gave up 21 or more points in four of their first five games, but they haven’t allowed more than 14 in the past seven games. Carver, meanwhile, lost by four touchdowns to Buford early in the season, but the Tigers haven’t been tested in their past 10 games. Fitzgerald will focus its defensive efforts on slowing down Holloway, who has been a more than adequate replacement for Isaiah Crowell. Fitzgerald presents some versatility on offense that could be present some problems for Carver.

Edmund Burke (11-1) at Piedmont (12-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: Edmund Burke leads 5-3.

Last meeting: Oct. 7, Piedmont won 35-14.

Edmund Burke in the playoffs: Beat Heritage 43-20; beat Valwood 13-0.

Piedmont in the playoffs: Beat Brookwood 48-14; beat Brentwood 35-7.

Key Spartans: QB Logan Christian; RB Brandon Sharpe; RB Hagen Wade.

Key Cougars: RB Peter Lawson, Jr.; QB Zach Benjamin, Sr.; RB Gaven Edge, Fr.

Scouting report: The Cougars and Spartans meet in the GISA Class AA championship game for the second straight year. This will be the fourth meeting between the teams in the past two seasons. Piedmont has won the first three times. The Cougars are fairly young, but they are extremely talented. Edmund Burke is likely going to have a tough time stopping the Cougars’ rushing attack.