Playoff battles, big-game performances in big games among what we learned in GHSA Week 11
Ferocious football at Freedom Field
The defense in general was a little lacking, but Houston County had just enough to hold off Northside in an instant classic and phenomenal atmosphere (three words: more paved parking) showcasing superb quarterbacks and a collection of skill players. The Bears live for another week while the Eagles have the week off to fume, get healthy and prepare. The Bears have to avoid letting the win — over whom, as much as just winning — linger too long when Valdosta visits.
Playoff pickle
The top three spots in GHSA Region 4-3A are pretty much set. Peach County travels to Jackson on Friday to determine first and second place, while Westside has third place locked up. Pike County takes fourth with a home win Friday over Rutland, but a Rutland win creates a three-way tie for fourth between Pike County, the Hurricanes and Central. The tie-breaker in this case eliminates the team that gave up the most points in head-to-head games among the three teams, with the remaining two teams breaking the tie on a head-to-head basis. Central allowed 37 points in two games, while Pike County sits on 20 points and Rutland sits on 32 points.
In Region 1-6A, math is required
The only concretes are that Valdosta is region champ and Northside is in the playoffs. After that, a calculator and abacus might help as far as seedings. Houston County is in with a win — and travels, no matter what — over a Valdosta team that might not come out in full force, but the Bears lose tiebreakers with 1-3 teams.
Less math in Region 1-5A
Barring a mess, Veterans is the fourth seed in Region 1-5A. Thomas County Central is a strong favorite to beat Harris County — which is eliminated — and get No. 1. Warner Robins and Bainbridge are then playing for second and third. Now, if Thomas County Central ends up … Never mind.
All squared away
The playoff berths in GHSA Region 3-2A are now firmed up. Washington County clinched the region title with its win over Northeast, while Southwest’s win over East Laurens gave the Patriots second place. Dodge County beat Bleckley County to lock up third, while Dublin, which was off Friday, will finish fourth. First-round playoff matchups are also becoming clearer: Washington County will host the loser of Friday’s Berrien-Brooks County game, while Southwest will host the Berrien-Brooks County winner. Dodge County will travel to the loser of Friday’s Thomasville-Fitzgerald game, while Dublin heads to the Thomasville-Fitzgerald winner.
This story was originally published October 29, 2016 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Playoff battles, big-game performances in big games among what we learned in GHSA Week 11."