Tattnall, Stratford, FPD gearing up for playoff run

In Class 1A private, the only teams that qualify automatically are region champions. The rest of the 24-team field is filled out through a power rating formula. The field was expanded this season, with the top eight seeds getting a bye into the second round.

Listed by each team is power rating points and overall record.

Safe

6. Tattnall Square (9-0, 13.71)

Tattnall sits in a first-round bye spot now, and a win Friday at Washington-Wilkes in the Region 7-1A championship game locks that bye in. At worst, Tattnall will host a first-round playoff game.

13. Stratford (6-3, 12.45)

The Eagles cross over with Aquinas for the second straight season, this time without a region title at stake. A win gives Stratford a first-round home game and an outside shot at a bye, while a loss opens up the possibility of a first-round road trip.

17. FPD (6-3, 11.58)

FPD is currently the top team having to make a first-round road trip. A win Friday at Lincoln County opens the door to a first-round home game, but the Vikings have enough points to make the playoffs with a loss. Then there’s this: The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Maxwell Ratings projects a first-round meeting between FPD and Stratford. If that plays out, it will be the first postseason meeting between the heated rivals since the 2004 GISA Class 3A championship game, won by Stratford 35-34 in overtime.

Outside looking in

28. Mount de Sales (2-7, 7.82)

Mount de Sales played Montgomery County on Thursday, needing a win to have any sort of postseason shot. Even then, cracking the 24-team field will be a longshot.

This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Tattnall, Stratford, FPD gearing up for playoff run."