The Blue Devils sprinted past host Walton. Photo by Norcross High School

And THAT is why they play the games.

As I sat in the Collins Hill press box calling the Georgia Public Broadcasting: Game of the Week last Friday, I could not believe my eyes as I continued to follow the Score Atlanta Flash Scoreboard: Whitewater was up 28-0 on Northside? Seriously? That’s Northside-Warner Robins? Are you sure?

Credit the coaches, fans and players of Whitewater for believing and credit Josh Clemons for toting the rock 32 times for two scores and 200 yards while also hauling in another score on a 42-yard reception. I spoke with a member of the Whitewater coaching staff Friday and he told me they were ready for Northside and I heard the confidence in his voice. Boy they were ready as they snuffed out the No. 1 Eagles season 28-21.

And that upset is one prime example of why they play the games. Everyone (including me last week), gets giddy about the potential match-ups down the line, but every team needs to take care of its business in the first round to even have a shot of getting “down the line.” Northside didn’t do that.

Etowah also didn’t do that in a 32-7 loss to Mill Creek. Etowah entered the playoffs as champions of Region 5-AAAAA but watched as Mill Creek break three different school records and rattle off 25 straight points to finish off the upset.

Region 3-AAAAA runner-up Jenkins allowed 50 points to road warrior Colquitt County while Stephenson, Walton and South Cobb all lost at home to lower-seeded teams.

In total seven No. 1 seeds lost in the first round, including Etowah and Northside. In AAAA, Lovejoy’s season ended with an upset to Glynn Academy. At the AAA level, Ridgeland fell after claiming the Region 7-AAA crown. In AA, one quadrant of the bracket lost both of its top seeds as Swainsboro and Elbert County both lost to No. 4 seeds. In Class A, Savannah Christian pulled the upset on No. 1 seed Mitchell County and will now face No. 3 seed Charlton County, who pulled off a mini-upset of a No. 2 seed. Another No. 1 seed was on the ropes, but Roswell got a last second 52-yard field to sneak by Parkview and into the second round.

This is why they play the games, as they say. Northside was reminded of that in a harsh way, but at the end of the day at least Georgia High School football decides its champions on the field. And Whitewater is certainly glad it does.